Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Soap on your clothes after wash?
There are a number of possible reasons you might have soap still on your clothes after a complete washing machine cycle. The good news is, they're not all caused by a fault in the machine.
Here are the top reasons you've still got soap on your clothes (that aren't actual problems with the machine itself):
1. Using too much detergent: There's only so much detergent that will dissolve and be effectively used in a given amount of water. There should be instructions with the detergent that explain how much to use, and you might need to use less if you have very soft water.
2. Water is too cold to dissolve detergent: Powdered laundry detergents are made to dissolve at water temperatures above 60°F. Colder than that they're just not going to work well, and you'll need to resort to liquid detergent.
3. Slow cycle (delicate, handwash, gentle) used: Powdered detergents may not do well in a low-energy wash cycle, as they may not dissolve completely. Once again, liquid detergents will clear that up nicely.
4. Too much clothes in the washer!: Fill up the tub, fine. But if you have to push it in to close the door, it's too tightly packed. Clothes need to tumble around in the washer for effective cleaning, and they need space to tumble. When they get wet, they'll create a little space as they compact, but don't use that to fit in yet another towel. Loosely full is about right, otherwise your detergents might not dissolve all way. Remember, the gentler the wash cycle, the less you should cram in.
5. Old, crusty detergent: Just like in your dishwasher, fresh detergent works best. You want a dry space to keep them in, with the lid shut (if powdered). Don't buy so much in bulk that you're still using the same box 6 months from now or more, it just won't work as well as fresh detergent. When it's become a solid rock of detergent block, throw it out.
Of course, there could be something really wrong with your washing machine. If these don't help, call your local servicer for help. In Alabama, call Service Care and we'll take care of you.
Here are the top reasons you've still got soap on your clothes (that aren't actual problems with the machine itself):
1. Using too much detergent: There's only so much detergent that will dissolve and be effectively used in a given amount of water. There should be instructions with the detergent that explain how much to use, and you might need to use less if you have very soft water.
2. Water is too cold to dissolve detergent: Powdered laundry detergents are made to dissolve at water temperatures above 60°F. Colder than that they're just not going to work well, and you'll need to resort to liquid detergent.
3. Slow cycle (delicate, handwash, gentle) used: Powdered detergents may not do well in a low-energy wash cycle, as they may not dissolve completely. Once again, liquid detergents will clear that up nicely.
4. Too much clothes in the washer!: Fill up the tub, fine. But if you have to push it in to close the door, it's too tightly packed. Clothes need to tumble around in the washer for effective cleaning, and they need space to tumble. When they get wet, they'll create a little space as they compact, but don't use that to fit in yet another towel. Loosely full is about right, otherwise your detergents might not dissolve all way. Remember, the gentler the wash cycle, the less you should cram in.
5. Old, crusty detergent: Just like in your dishwasher, fresh detergent works best. You want a dry space to keep them in, with the lid shut (if powdered). Don't buy so much in bulk that you're still using the same box 6 months from now or more, it just won't work as well as fresh detergent. When it's become a solid rock of detergent block, throw it out.
Of course, there could be something really wrong with your washing machine. If these don't help, call your local servicer for help. In Alabama, call Service Care and we'll take care of you.
Labels: servicer, washers, washing machines
Front loader washing machine makes a high pitch noise in spin?
This could be normal.
If you're used to the sound of the spin cycle in a conventional top loader washing machine, you're probably surprised at the slightly higher level of sound (at a much higher pitch) of the front loader. Generally, front loaders spin a lot faster, maybe two times faster, which leads to a higher pitched whirring sound during the spin cycle.
Assuming this is the normal spin noise, it's good that it spins so darn fast.
Why? Because it gets more of the water out of your clothes before they go in the dryer. Drying clothes in the dryer is a lot less energy efficient than spinning out water, so the better a job done in the spin cycle the shorter your dry time. (Plus, you save money on utilities, hooray!)
Now, not every noise is normal. The normal noise is the sound of the drum spinning smoothly at a high rate of speed. Any kind of grinding, tearing, squealing is probably a sign that the smoothness part of the spin isn't working out.
Frankly, if the noise or any other part of the washer's operation makes you worry, trust your instincts and call a servicer and have them check it out. If it is really loud you can probably demonstrate it to them on the phone.
We'll be happy to help in central Alabama.
If you're used to the sound of the spin cycle in a conventional top loader washing machine, you're probably surprised at the slightly higher level of sound (at a much higher pitch) of the front loader. Generally, front loaders spin a lot faster, maybe two times faster, which leads to a higher pitched whirring sound during the spin cycle.
Assuming this is the normal spin noise, it's good that it spins so darn fast.
Why? Because it gets more of the water out of your clothes before they go in the dryer. Drying clothes in the dryer is a lot less energy efficient than spinning out water, so the better a job done in the spin cycle the shorter your dry time. (Plus, you save money on utilities, hooray!)
Now, not every noise is normal. The normal noise is the sound of the drum spinning smoothly at a high rate of speed. Any kind of grinding, tearing, squealing is probably a sign that the smoothness part of the spin isn't working out.
Frankly, if the noise or any other part of the washer's operation makes you worry, trust your instincts and call a servicer and have them check it out. If it is really loud you can probably demonstrate it to them on the phone.
We'll be happy to help in central Alabama.
Labels: diy, front loader, noise, top loader, washers, washing machines
Washing machine "walks" during spin?
Is your washing machine walking, vibrating a lot, doing the shimmy-shammy?
If it's on a pedestal, you can check to make sure the pedestal feet are all touching the ground and locked in place, and you can't rock the unit back and forth with your hands. There should be connecting bolts locking the washer to the pedestal, make sure they are tightened.
If it's not on a pedestal, check the feet on the washer. Got all four? Good. Try to rock the unit with your hands. It should be level, no rocking. If not, you've got a problem with the feet. They should all be in contact with the floor and locked into place.
Next, make sure your shipping bolts were removed when the washer was installed. 99 percent of the time, the installer gets this right, but if not it can make the washer get crazy on you, make a lot of noise and movement, and quite possibly cause damage. Unfortunately, if the shipping bolts (all or some of four, usually, in a square shaped configuration - 1 near each of the four corners and around the drum) are still in the back, you should probably call a local servicer to remove them. It's up to you, but there might be more wrong with it if it's been run a while with shipping bolts in.
If it's not the bolts, it might be your floor.
Quick test, and you might want to be alone when you do this (because of the silly factor), stand next to the washer and bounce on your toes. You can get your arms involved if you really want to test your floor. If you hear glasses clanging together in the kitchen cabinets, it's definitely your floor. If your washer shakes a bit in response to your bouncing, your floor might have a bit more "flex" than some other floors. Don't feel bad, you're in a big group of normal-floor people with this kind of floor.
Try getting a solid single piece of 3/4 inch plywood that is big enough for both the washer and dryer to sit on (feet and all) with room for the hoses and cords. Get some help, and slide the board under the two appliances (or lift them out of the way, and put it on the floor). This should act as a stiffer surface for the washer, some of which spin at very, very high speeds nowadays to get the water out.
Yes, they spin much faster than your old washer did (that's why the dryer normally works a lot faster, less water in the clothes to dry out).
If you've not got shipping bolts and your floor is solid and secure, then it's time to call a servicer for your appliance.
We'd be happy to help if you're in central Alabama.
If it's on a pedestal, you can check to make sure the pedestal feet are all touching the ground and locked in place, and you can't rock the unit back and forth with your hands. There should be connecting bolts locking the washer to the pedestal, make sure they are tightened.
If it's not on a pedestal, check the feet on the washer. Got all four? Good. Try to rock the unit with your hands. It should be level, no rocking. If not, you've got a problem with the feet. They should all be in contact with the floor and locked into place.
Next, make sure your shipping bolts were removed when the washer was installed. 99 percent of the time, the installer gets this right, but if not it can make the washer get crazy on you, make a lot of noise and movement, and quite possibly cause damage. Unfortunately, if the shipping bolts (all or some of four, usually, in a square shaped configuration - 1 near each of the four corners and around the drum) are still in the back, you should probably call a local servicer to remove them. It's up to you, but there might be more wrong with it if it's been run a while with shipping bolts in.
If it's not the bolts, it might be your floor.
Quick test, and you might want to be alone when you do this (because of the silly factor), stand next to the washer and bounce on your toes. You can get your arms involved if you really want to test your floor. If you hear glasses clanging together in the kitchen cabinets, it's definitely your floor. If your washer shakes a bit in response to your bouncing, your floor might have a bit more "flex" than some other floors. Don't feel bad, you're in a big group of normal-floor people with this kind of floor.
Try getting a solid single piece of 3/4 inch plywood that is big enough for both the washer and dryer to sit on (feet and all) with room for the hoses and cords. Get some help, and slide the board under the two appliances (or lift them out of the way, and put it on the floor). This should act as a stiffer surface for the washer, some of which spin at very, very high speeds nowadays to get the water out.
Yes, they spin much faster than your old washer did (that's why the dryer normally works a lot faster, less water in the clothes to dry out).
If you've not got shipping bolts and your floor is solid and secure, then it's time to call a servicer for your appliance.
We'd be happy to help if you're in central Alabama.
Labels: Alabama, diy, servicer, washers, washing machines
Friday, November 14, 2008
Samsung Washer Recall
From Samsung's website, in the interest of the your safety:
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I'm sure Samsung will take care of this if you have one of the affected models. Check this web page to see if you're part of the recall (and what to do): Samsung Washer Recall
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| WASHINGTON, D.C. – In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Maytag Corporation and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. are voluntarily recalling clothes washer units. Water leakage onto the electrical connections of the washing machine's thermal sensor could cause an electrical short and ignite a circuit board, posing a fire hazard to consumers. The recalled front-loading clothes washers were sold under the Maytag® “Neptune” and Samsung® brand names, which can be located on the control panel of the units. This web site is for purchasers of Samsung brand units. | ||||||
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I'm sure Samsung will take care of this if you have one of the affected models. Check this web page to see if you're part of the recall (and what to do): Samsung Washer Recall
Labels: appliances, recall notice, Samsung, washers, washing machines
