Whirlpool 3363834 - Manual (Page 15)

LAUNDRY TIPS
Water guidelines
Selecting water temperatures
WASH WATER
TEMPERATUREt
SUGGESTED FABRICS COMMENTS
HOT • Work clothes • Best cleaning for heavily soiled items
54°C (130°F)
• Sturdy whites/colourfast • Removes oils, perspiration, greasy
or above
pastels soils, and stains
• Diapers • Prevents graying or yellowing
WARM • Dark/noncolourfast colours • Best for moderately soiled to lightly
32-44°C • Permanent press items soiled items
(90-110°F)
• Nylon, polyester, acrylics. • Safe for most fabric finishes
silks, woollens • Less fading and dye bleeding
• Knits/delicate fabrics • Reduces wrinkling
COLD • Extra-sensitive colours • Best for very lightly soiled items
21-32°C • Noncolourfast items • Saves hot water
(70-90°F)
• Hand washables • Best rinse water temperature
t The washer features cold rinses for all wash temperatures. In addition, on some models,
warm rinses are available with hot and warm washes. Warm rinse water provides better
water extraction than cold rinse water, but may increase wrinkling when line drying. In cold
climates, warm rinse water also provides a more comfortable temperature for handling the
wash load.
Checking hot water
temperature
Your hot water should be 54°C (130°F) or
above. If you do not know your hot water
temperature, you can check it easily. You
may need to raise the temperature of your
water heater. To check your hot water:
1. Fill a pan with the hottest water available
from the faucet that fills your washer.
NOTE: If you do not have a faucet at your
washer site, collect the water from the
faucet closest to your washer.
2. Place a candy thermometer or cooking
thermometer in the water to check the
temperature.
NOTE: In wash-water temperatures colder
than 21 °C (70°F), detergents do not dissolve
well. Also, soils may be difficult to remove,
and some fabrics may retain wear wrinkles
and may have increased pilling.
Water hardness
Many poor washing results can be traced to
the hardness of the wash water. To check
your water hardness:
• City water - ask the city water company.
• Well water - ask the local water authority.
Ask for the mineral content in grains/gallon
or parts/million. If your water is more than
8 grains/gallon or more than 137 parts/
million, you should consider:
• Installing a water softener.
• Using more detergent.
• Using a packaged water conditioner.
• Not using soap.