Water Hardness - GE 500M Use And Care Book Manual

How do you use soap or detergent in
your washer?
GRANULAR — Put measured amount
directly into the wash basket.
LIQUID — Pour measured amount direct-
ly into the wash basket.
NOTE: When using granular non-phos-
phate detergents, add detergent, allow
washer to fill and agitate for three or four
minutes to dissolve detergent before add-
ing clothes.
How much soap or detergent should you
use?
• Follow the instructions on the soap or
detergent packages. Adjust the amount
according to the size of your 'washer and
load.
• Detergent package labels usually sug-
gest detergent amounts for 4 to 5 kgs.
When you wash smaller loads, adjust the
amount of detergent accordingly.
• The amount of soap or detergent you
will need will be affected by the hardness
of your water. Further information on
water hardness and how to control it will
be found elsewhere on this page.
• Some experimenting on your part may
be necessary to determine the correct
amount of soap or detergent you need.
• If you use too little, your clothes will
not come properly clean. Rewash, using
more soap or detergent.
• If you use too much, the rinse will not
get all the soap or detergent out. When
this happens, set dial to SOAK CYCLE
and pull out control knob. This allows
machine to complete another deep rinse.
• Once you have determined the right
amount, always remember to measure
every time you wash.
Water hardness
Many complaints about unsatisfactory
washing results can be traced directly to
hard water. To determine your water
hardness, call your local water company.
You DO NOT need a water softener if:
1. Your water hardness is 40 p.p.m or less
per litre, AND,
2. You use detergent for washing.
You DO need a water softener if:
1. Your water hardness is greater than 40
p.p.m grains per litre, OR,
2. You use soap for washing.
You can soften your water by:
1. Having a mechanical water softener
installed in your home, OR,
2. Using a packaged water softener in
your washer. The following chart gives
suggested amounts:
Hardness
in p.p.m. 20 40 60 80 100 120
Amount of
softener
with soap**
1 tbsp 3 tbsp
1 /4
Cup
1/3C 1/2C 2/3C
Amount of
softener
with
detergent* *
0 0 2 tbsp
1/4
Cup
1/3C 1/2C
*For each additional 20 p.p.m. above 120, add 2
teaspoons of softener.
**Amount of soap or detergent is not decreased when
softener is used. They are required for soil removal.
How to whiten "yellowed" or
"grayed" clothes
In spite of good washing practices, some
clothes may become yellow or gray look-
ing after a period of time.
To correct this, condition your clothes as
follows:
• Use REGULAR or PERM PRESS cycle.
Put clothes in washer and fill with HOT
water.
• DO NOT add soap or detergent. In-
stead, use a non-precipitating water soft-
ener. Use 2 to 21/2 times the amount
needed to soften the water in your area.
(See chart, this page).
• Allow washer to go through the com-
plete cycle. The water softener will loosen
and remove any accumulated soap or
detergent in your clothes. Repeat, if
necessary.
• Rewash the load using detergent and
hot water.
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