Laundering process and machine

A laundering machine, comprising a tank (1) for containing a washing liquid;

• a perforated basket (2) for containing clothes and placed inside the tank (1), the operation of said laundering machine comprising a washing step, in which the washing liquid has at least one predetermined washing level and, generally, a centrifugal step;
• a valve means, which selectively allows the tank (1) to be fed with the washing liquid;
• and an agitator (5), which is selectively driven to cause the load of clothes immersed in the washing liquid to perform agitating movements, said machine being characterized in that it comprises a control unit, which is operatively connected:
• to the valve means, in order to selectively instruct the feeding of washing liquid to the tank (1), until reaching a determined soaking level (L2), which is lower than a respective washing level (L1);
• to the agitator (5), in order to actuate it in agitation periods (Ta1, Ta2) of an agitation condition of the soaking step comprising at least one impelling period (Ti) in which the load of clothes and the washing liquid are forced to effect a certain rotation around the shaft of the perforated basket (2), during an impelling period (Ti) and to maintain it inoperative in the resting periods (Tr), during the soaking step, each agitation period (Ta1, Ta2) being shorter than the resting period (Tr).