Preventing Damaged Clothing in a Top Load HE Washer

Were you washing large items, like a comforter or sleeping bag?

Wash large items such as comforters, sleeping bags, and blankets on the Bulky Cycle. This cycle starts with a soak to thoroughly saturate your large load, followed by medium wash action and medium spin speeds to maintain load balance. Always follow the instructions on the garment's care label before washing it in your machine.

Were you washing a large load?

• Load loose heaps of garments evenly around the basket wall.  Tightly packing a washer can reduce cleaning and increase wrinkling and tangling.
• Garments tend to tangle and twist when washing loads of one type of garment, such as long-sleeved shirts. Try mixing different load items to reduce tangling.
• Items in the load need to move freely.
• Add only one or two items when the "add a garment" light is on.

Were loose items left in the washer basket?

Check inside the washer for loose items that could snag fabrics.

Were sharp items removed from pockets before washing?

Empty pockets, zip zippers, and snap or hook fasteners before washing.

Were items damaged before washing?

Mend rips and broken threads in seams before washing to prevent further damage to the article of clothing.

Did you follow the garment manufacturer's care label for cycle recommendations?

Cycles such as Super Wash use high-speed wash action and long wash times for sturdy fabrics. Stretching and pilling may occur on delicate fabrics washed in a cycle like Super Wash or Heavy Duty. Choose cycles with less wash time and/or lower wash speeds.

Were strings, sashes, and belts tied or removed to avoid tangling?

Tie strings or other loose items before washing or place them in an open mesh bag. Loose strings may tangle with other wash items.

Did you properly add the liquid chlorine bleach?

Follow the garment and the chlorine bleach manufacturer's directions for proper use. Undiluted bleach will damage any fabric it touches. The damage appears as rips, holes, tears, or color loss and may not show up until several washings later.

• To avoid spilling, use a cup with a pouring spout. Do not let bleach splash, drip, or run into the washer basket.
• Always measure liquid chlorine bleach. Do not guess. Do not use more than the manufacturer's recommended amount for a full load. Use less with a smaller load size.
• Do not place load items on the bleach dispenser when loading and unloading the washer.
• Avoid dripping bleach on top of the washer or on the floor in front of the washer; clothing sometimes gets dropped during loading and can absorb the spill.

Was a wire in a bra broken or removed during washing?

Wires from bras can catch on clothing items. Always follow the garment manufacturer's directions for cycles. Use a cycle with low-speed wash action and short wash times. Use a garment bag to avoid tangling with other load items.