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Water . . .
Water Hardness
Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon
(G.P.G.) or parts per million (P.P.M.). To learn your
water hardness, call your Water Department or State
Extension Service. Hard water will not remove soil as
well as soft water and can result in gray, dingy laundry.
To get clothes clean in hard water, use a phosphate
detergent or use more detergent if using a non-
phosphate detergent. Do not use soap.
Hard Water May Be Softened By:
1. A mechanical water softener installed in your
home.
2. The use of a packaged water conditioner.
Soft Water
Water should be soft enough to allow soaps and
detergents to remove soil effectively. Clothes will be
whiter and brighter when washed and rinsed in soft
water.
Iron
If iron is present in the water, the clothes may become
an all-over yellow or they may be stained with brown
or orange spots or streaks. Iron is not always visible in
the water.
Solutions to Iron Problems
The installation of a water softener will remove small
amounts of iron from the water supply. The installation
of an iron filter may be necessary for more severe cases.
If the iron comes from the pipes, it may be sufficient
just to let the water run into the empty washer for about
one minute. This may help to clear the pipes. Spin this
water out of the washtub before starting the wash.
If iron comes from the water heater, drain the heater
occasionally to remove the rust.
If the Iron Condition Cannot Be Corrected
Prepare the wash water first by adding detergent (not
soap), then add the clothes to the washtub. Use a
phosphate detergent. The phosphate content of a
detergent is listed on the package side panel.
Add a nonprecipitating water conditioner to the
washtub just before the rinse water enters. Do not use
fabric softener in the rinse water if a packaged water
conditioner is used.
Iron With Chlorine Bleach
The use of chlorine bleach with water that contains iron
will make the rust discoloration worse. Use an “all
fabric” bleach.
Wash Temperature
Hot Water
Hot water will give the best results of cleaning and
sanitizing, but it is not suitable for all items. It is best
for sturdy whites and colorfast items, heavily soiled
items and diapers.
Warm Water
By using warm water, there is less chance of color loss
in items. Warm water also reduces wrinkling in
permanent press items. Use with light and moderate
soils, non-colorfast or dark colors, permanent press,
silks, woolens, nylon, and acrylic.
Cold Water
Cold water is less effective in cleaning than hot or
warm water, but it does minimize wrinkling and color
fading. Use it for washing extra-sensitive clothes and
for the rinsing of all fabrics.
Energy
You can save energy when washing by following a few
guidelines:
1. Heating water accounts for the greatest energy
expense when washing.
Save on heating water by
using cold rinses.
2. Wash full loads, but do not
overload.
3. Use soak cycles for heavily
soiled items to reduce wash
times.
4. Select a shorter wash time
for lightly soiled items.
Soft Water
0 to 10 milligrams per liter
Moderately Hard Water
300 milligrams per liter
Hard Water
500 milligrams per liter
Very Hard Water
Over 500 milligrams per liter
W120IE1A
140ºF
100ºF
60ºF
HOT
WARM
COLD
W121IE0A