Washing Machine Troubleshooting

Clothing stains are often caused by various factors, including washer component malfunctions or external sources. The widespread use of synthetic fabrics and improper washing techniques contribute to this issue. Frequently, these stains originate from cooking oil or grease and are initially invisible. The oil in the fabric attracts dirt during washing, leaving clothes spotted and dirty after the cycle.

Chemical Safety

Adhering to safety guidelines is crucial when dealing with stain removal to minimize the risk of fires or injuries:

• Always follow instructions on stain removal product labels.
• Store these products in their original containers and out of children's reach.
• Clean any utensils used for stain removal thoroughly.
• Avoid mixing chemicals like chlorine bleach and ammonia, as their fumes are hazardous.
• Never wash items exposed to flammable substances like gasoline or dry-cleaning solvents, as they pose a risk of ignition or explosion.
• Use flammable solvents or chemicals outside the home to prevent vapor-related explosions.

Here are some general rules for stain removal from clothing:

• Address stains promptly for easier removal. Older stains might be permanent.
• Determine the stain type, fabric type, and age before treatment.
• Use cold or warm water for stain removal; hot water sets stains.
• When using bleach, choose one that's fabric-safe and always dilute chlorine bleach.
• Test stain removers on a hidden garment area first.
• For effective stain treatment, work on the stain from the opposite side of the fabric on a clean surface.
• Treat protein stains with enzyme presoaks or meat tenderizer.
• Use dry-cleaning solvents in well-ventilated areas, away from ignition sources.
• Treat alcoholic beverage stains immediately with cold water before washing.
• For blood stains, use cold water with an enzyme presoak, and appropriate bleach depending on the fabric color.
• Remove chewing gum with ice and a nonflammable dry-cleaning solvent, then wash.
• Treat coffee or chocolate stains with a warm water detergent paste.
• Remove milk-based stains with dry-cleaning solvent and wash.
• For antiperspirant and deodorant stains, use hot water and laundry detergent, followed by ammonia and oxygen-type bleach paste for persistent stains.
• Soak fruit stains in cool water, avoiding soap, and use an oxygen-type bleach and ammonia paste for stubborn stains.
• Apply lemon juice and salt to iron or rust stains and expose to sunlight, or use a commercial rust remover.
• Treat dairy product stains (other than milk or baby formula) with enzyme-containing products.
• For crayon or candle wax, remove excess wax, use a warm iron between paper towels, pre-treat, and wash.
• Address chocolate or grass stains with enzyme-containing presoaks and appropriate bleach in the washer.

Yellowing in fabrics can arise from various sources, such as:

• Inadequate removal of body soil
• Use of water softeners in laundry
• Presence of hard water or minerals like iron
• Accumulation of body oils on garments
• Water supply contamination from decaying vegetation

1. For Body Oil and Soil Removal: Increase detergent use and wash with water at 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Enhance the frequency of bleach use in the laundry cycle.
2. Water Softener Impact: Reduce detergent amount to the level that still effectively removes soil. Regularly add bleach to the wash to combat yellowing.
3. Hard Water and Minerals: Implement a water-conditioning system. Consider draining and flushing the water heater tank. Avoid using chlorine bleach for hard water or iron stains.
4. Body Oils on Garment: Apply a paste of detergent and water to the affected area. Leave it for 15-30 minutes before washing.
5. Yellowing from Decaying Vegetation: Increase detergent and bleach usage, especially for white fabrics, which generally react positively to bleaching.

Fabric softener stains have become more common with the recommendation to add some softeners during the wash cycle rather than the rinse cycle. These stains can affect both synthetic and cotton fabrics.

To remove fabric softener stains, pretreat the area with liquid detergent. Then, wash the garment according to the instructions in the use and care manual.

Lint is primarily cotton fibers that detach from cotton garments and tend to cling to synthetic fabrics. This can misleadingly appear as a washer performance issue. Overwashing is another common cause of lint, leading to accelerated wear and tear on clothes. Washing garments for more than one minute per pound of laundry with normal soil levels is unnecessary and can contribute to lint problems.

To manage lint on synthetic fabrics, proper sorting of laundry is crucial:

• Separate cottons from permanent press and knits.
• Distinguish between light and dark colors.

Also, ensure proper drain hose connections:

• Keep the drain hose length under 10 feet.
• Ensure the hose height does not exceed 8 feet.
• Avoid kinks in the drain hose.

If excessive draining persists, consider:

• Inspecting and cleaning the drain pump filter located at the washer's bottom front.
• Checking the drain pump's functionality.
• Looking for obstructions in the drain system or the washer's water circulation system.

This issue can occur due to various reasons, including power supply issues, mechanical faults, or obstructions in water flow.

Basic Checks

1. Power Connection: Ensure the washer is properly plugged in and turned on.
2. Hose Inspection: Check for any kinks or blockages in the fill hoses.
3. Screen Cleaning: Clean the screens in the fill hoses to remove any clogs.

Water Supply Verification

• Confirm that the water supply to the machine is active and at sufficient pressure.

Voltage Check at Mixing Valve

• Use a Volt-Ohm Meter (VOM) to check for proper voltage at the mixing valve.
• Alternative Check: Set the washer to "fill", turn on the timer, and feel or listen to the valve. Vibration or humming indicates proper voltage. Exercise caution around live circuits.

Valve Inspection

• If the mixing valve is energized but not admitting water, inspect for and remove any obstructions.

Fill Switch Continuity Test

• Perform a continuity test on the fill switch and replace if necessary.

Temperature Selection Switch

• Verify the temperature selection switch is functioning correctly.

Timer Functionality

• Rule out any issues with the washer's timer.

Lid Switch Check

• Ensure the lid switch is making proper contact.

• Start Simple: Begin with basic checks like power connection and hose inspection.
• Electrical Safety: When checking voltage, always prioritize safety.
• Detailed Inspections: Investigate specific components like valves, switches, and timers.
• Continuity Tests: Use a VOM for accurate diagnostics.

• Reversed hot and cold water hoses.
• Inadequate hot water supply.
• Faulty water level switch.
• Malfunctioning thermal element in a thermal-type mixing valve.
• Faulty temperature selection switch or timer.
• Overall timer malfunction.

• Check Hose Connections: Ensure hot and cold water hoses are correctly connected.
• Assess Hot Water Supply: Verify the hot water supply is adequate and consistent.
• Water Level Switch: Test and replace the water level switch if necessary.
• Inspect Mixing Valve: For thermal-type valves, check the thermal element.
• Temperature Selection Switch: Examine and replace if faulty.
• Timer Functionality: Investigate and rectify any issues with the timer.