The lettuce has been washed, spun and dressed, but water collects at the bottom of the serving bowl. Before blaming the dressing, look at how the spinner was loaded and what happened after the first spin.
A salad spinner removes surface water; it does not replace washing produce. Prepare the leaves according to appropriate food-handling guidance, remove unsuitable pieces and use clean equipment.
Give the leaves a workable basket
Separate leaves that are tightly packed together and load within the spinner’s stated capacity. A basket crammed to the lid is harder to distribute evenly and can trap wet folds. If the batch is large, divide it rather than forcing everything into one cycle.
Seat the basket and lid correctly. Operate the handle or mechanism as instructed, keeping the spinner stable. Wait for it to stop before opening; do not try to slow a moving basket with your hand.
After spinning, empty the collected water from the outer bowl. Check a few folds and the bottom of the basket. If droplets remain, redistribute the leaves and repeat as needed without crushing delicate greens.
Check the salad before adding the dressing
Transfer the leaves into a clean, dry bowl and look for residual water. A clean food-safe towel can help with stubborn moisture on delicate leaves when used gently. The goal is a reasonably dry surface, not bruised leaves squeezed into a compact bundle.
Dress shortly before serving as appropriate for the salad. If preparing ahead, store the greens safely using a method suitable for the ingredients rather than leaving the loaded spinner on the counter for hours.
Clean all parts according to the model’s instructions, especially the lid mechanism where accessible. Dishwasher suitability varies; a clear plastic bowl should not automatically be assumed dishwasher-safe.
For the next batch, remember the amount that spun comfortably. A smaller load and one extra cycle can be more useful than a larger appliance when the main problem is leaves packed too tightly to release their water.