Clothes washing method for a washing machine, comprising a wetting phase (3), wherein the clothes absorb water, and a washing phase (5), wherein the clothes are treated mechanically; and there is at least one partial water drain after the wetting phase (3) and before the end of the washing phase (5), so that a variable amount of water depending on the selected washing program and the clothing load and type inserted in the washing machine is extracted by means of said partial drain.