METHOD OF OPERATING AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE AND AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE

A washing machine and method for operating a washing machine having a suds container and a non-ribbed drum. During rotation of the drum in a subcritical rotational speed range, the method includes determining an average value, a minimum, and a maximum of an oscillation of a physical variable relating to the drum or the motor, forming an overall average value from the determined average values, subtracting the overall average value formed from the corresponding minimum determined per oscillation and the corresponding maximum determined per oscillation to calculate a maximum value and a minimum value per oscillation, respectively. In each case an amount is formed from the respective calculated maximum value and an amount is formed from the respective calculated minimum value, a standard deviation from the amounts is determined, and a loading situation where laundry is rolling in the drum is determined based on the determined standard deviation.