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Water . . .
140ºF
100ºF
65ºF
HOT
WARM
COLD
W121IE0A
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 3.5 grains
per gallon
Moderately Hard
Water
3.6 to 7 grains
per gallon
Hard Water
7.1 to 10.5 grains
per gallon
Very Hard Water
More than 10.6
grains per gallon
W120IE0A
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 more 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
non-precipitating 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
Water Hardness