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. l 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 153 parts/ million, you should consider:
l l l l l
Installing a water softener. Using more detergent. Using a packaged water conditioner. Not using soap.
Saving
l l l
energy
. Avoid rewashing. Use enough detergent. Pretreat stains or heavy soils. Use the cycles and wash times recommended for the fabric and soil. l Use your washer during off-peak hoursusually early morning and late evening. (Ask your power company.)
Use warm or cold wash water for most loads. Use hot water only when washing heavy, greasy soils or whites. Use cold rinses. Wash full loads. small loads.
