Sorting and Loading Laundry

Sorting and Loading Laundry

Follow these steps before starting a wash cycle so clothes clean well and the washer stays balanced.

1) Check the care label on each item Many garments have a fabric care label. Use the label instructions to help choose the right cycle and options.

The manual lists these label directions: - Hand wash - Machine wash, Normal cycle - Gentle/Delicate setting — slow agitation and/or reduced wash time - Perm Press/Wrinkle Resistant setting — includes a cool down or cold spray before a slower spin - Water temperature: Hot, Warm, or Cold/Cool - Do not wash - Do not wring - Bleach symbols: Do not bleach, Any bleach when needed, or Only non-chlorine bleach when needed

2) Prepare garments before loading For best results, sort and prepare items before they go into the drum.

General tips from the manual: - Check and empty pockets. Paper clips, coins, matches, and other items can damage clothing and the washer. - Close zippers and hooks, and tie drawstrings to prevent snagging or tangling. - Pretreat heavily stained areas for best results. - Brush off heavy soil, dust, and hair before washing. Excess dirt or sand can abrade other fabrics and reduce wash performance.

3) Load the drum correctly Load clothes loosely so they have room to circulate. - Do not press down on items while stacking them in the drum. - Do not overfill the drum. - The door must close easily. - The washer can be fully loaded, but the drum should not be tightly packed.

A few loading guidelines help prevent imbalance: - Combine large and small items in the drum. - Load large items first. - Large items should not be more than half of the total load. - The washer will not fill or operate with the door open.

4) Handle bulky, small, and delicate items carefully Bulky items - Wash thick, bulky items individually. - Heavy blankets, comforters, bedspreads, or pet beds can tangle or cause an unbalanced load if washed with other items.

Small items - Do not wash a single small item by itself. - Add enough similar items to prevent an out-of-balance load. - Wash small, light items in a mesh bag. - Small items can get caught in the impeller at the bottom of the drum. - Brassiere hooks can snag on other clothing or the drum.

5) Keep the door seal area clear Before closing the door: - Make sure all clothes and items are inside the tub. - Do not let anything hang over the rubber door seal. - Check for and remove any small items caught under the door gasket.

If clothing gets caught when the door is closed, it may be damaged and may damage the door seal.

6) Special caution for waterproof and water-resistant items Clothing or articles that are waterproof or water-resistant must be washed only in these cycles: - Waterproof - Bedding - Bulky/Large - Jumbo Wash

Examples given in the manual include water-resistant clothing, mattress covers, outdoor clothes, and plastic mats.

Do not wash these items in other cycles. The manual warns that doing so may cause abnormal vibration and may damage the washer, clothes, walls, floor, and surrounding objects. It may also cause personal injury.

7) About detergent use This washer is designed for HE (High-Efficiency) detergents only. - HE detergents produce fewer suds and dissolve more efficiently. - They help improve washing and rinsing performance and help keep the inside of the washer clean. - Using detergent that is not HE may cause oversudsing, unsatisfactory performance, error codes, cycle failure, and washer damage. - Detergents labeled HE-compatible may not provide optimal results. - Always measure detergent using the dispenser or measuring device provided by the detergent manufacturer. - For an average load, use less than half of the recommended amount.

Following these loading and sorting steps helps the washer clean effectively and reduces the chance of damage or imbalance.