TOP LOADING CLOTHES WASHERS
This information applies to all top loading clothes washers.
1. LOADING METHOD. For the best washing action, mix large items like sheets with a few smaller items, like blouses or hand towels, in the same color range. Do not wrap garments around the agitator post of the washer. They need to be free to move and tumble easily. Scrunching the garments is usually the best technique before loading into wash bowl.
2. LOADING CAPACITY. For the best cleaning action, clothes need room to move freely. Plus, there must be enough free water to carry away the soil easily. Fill the washer tub loosely to the top row of holes without out pushing down. eg; this is a full load.
3. DETERGENT DOSAGE. The recommended amount of detergent on the label is based on average conditions: 5 to 7 kilos (eg; damp or spun dry) of clothes which are moderately soiled and are washed in an average amount of moderately hard water. Change any of these conditions and you should change the amount of detergent. More detergent may be needed for heavily soiled clothes, hard water conditions. Slightly less detergent may be used if the water is soft, the clothes are only lightly soiled or the wash load is small. eg; lightly soiled garments would have no visible soiling.
4. WATER TEMPERATURE. Detergents work best in warm-to-hot wash water. Consider using cold water only for washing clothes whose colors might fade or clothes that are only lightly soiled. You will not get a good result using cold water in the middle of winter because the detergent is unable to dilute properly due to the very low faucet temperature. If your washer is only connected to cold water consider pre dissolving you measured quantity of detergent in a small bucket with hot water and then add to the washer. Please note: This also includes so called “cold water” detergents.
5. ADDITIVES. Follow the manufacturer’s labels and add products accordingly. Some products like oxygen bleaches are added to the wash water before the clothes are added. Liquid fabric softeners go into the rinse water. Never pour undiluted fabric softener directly onto clothes. Do not use fabric softeners if you water supply is discolored.
6. CYCLE SELECTION. Select your chosen cycle based on garment type and water temperature. There are instructions under the wash lid to guide you. Eg; Use the specially designed permanent press wash cycle for permanent press and synthetic fabrics, to minimize wrinkling, the wash cycle has a special cool-down rinse period.
* WATER RESTRICTIONS. Trying to save water? Consider getting more than one use from a clean garment before laundering again. To get clothes clean you need to use a proportionate amount of water.
*OVERDOSING DETERGENT and / or OVERLOADING CLOTHES WASHER shortens the life of your garments and clothes will come out of the washer covered in lint & scum and more soiled than when you started.
Please Note: This is also a contributing cause of common skin irritations, allergies & infections such as tinea, dermatitis & eczema.