An apparatus and techniques for detecting unbalanced load in a washing machine are provided. A clothes basket containing a load of clothing and rotatable about an axis is accelerated. As the clothes basket passes a first predetermined rotational speed, one of power and torque applied to the clothes basket is limited. It is determined whether the clothes basket accelerates from the first predetermined to a second predetermined rotational speed within a predetermined time. Failure to reach the second predetermined rotational speed within the predetermined time signifies an out-of-balance condition as to the load of clothing. No resonance of the machine lies between the first and second predetermined rotational speeds. In another aspect, a similar technique can be employed, with or without limiting power or torque, wherein a resonance does lie between the first and second predetermined rotational speeds.