A method of operating a washing machine and washing machine using such method

A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment and a motor rotating the drum comprises increasing the rotational speed of the drum by increasing the rotational speed of the motor and measuring at least one parameter related to the rotation of the drum in order to determine whether the laundry articles are retained in a substantially fixed position relative to the drum by centrifugal force, in order to perform a subsequent check of unbalance load. The above parameter, particularly motor torque or motor power, is monitored and the speed at which all laundry articles are retained against the wall of the drum by centrifugal force is assessed when said parameter reaches an absolute minimum value.