Clothes, stains, washers, dryers and better laundry habits.
If your washer is not spinning, first confirm the selected cycle includes spin and the load is not overloaded or out of balance. If water remains in the tub, a drainage problem may be preventing high-speed spin. Also check that the lid or door closes and locks, the drain hose is not kinked and the washer is level.
Before washing a pillow, read its care label and identify the fill. Many synthetic, feather and down pillows can be machine-washed, while memory-foam pillows often require spot cleaning or another method. Use modest detergent, balance the load and do not remake the bed until the pillow is dry all the way through.
To wash a comforter, start with the care label and make sure your washer is large enough for the item to move freely. Use the cycle, water temperature and detergent the label calls for, rinse thoroughly and allow enough drying time for the fill to dry all the way through.
To reset a washing machine, first try Pause or Cancel if the controls respond. If the panel is still frozen, turn the washer off, disconnect power for about 1–5 minutes, then restore power. Exact steps vary by model. If the same error code returns, stop resetting and troubleshoot the cause instead.
If the dryer tumbles but does not heat, first make sure you did not select an air-only cycle, check the electrical or gas supply for your model, and confirm that the lint screen and exhaust vent have good airflow. If there is still no heat, the heating element, thermal fuse, burner or controls may require professional service.
To remove blood from clothing, start with cold water and avoid the dryer, iron and hot water until the stain is gone. For fresh stains, rinse from the back and wash; for dried stains, soak and pretreat with an enzyme product that is safe for the fabric. Always check the care label before using bleach.
If your washer will not drain, start by cancelling or running a drain-and-spin cycle, make sure the load is not badly unbalanced, and check that the drain hose is not kinked or installed at the wrong height. If your model has a user-accessible pump filter, clean it according to the manual and prepare for water to spill. If the washer still will not pump out, it may need service.
Run an empty machine-cleaning cycle using the product approved for your washer. On front-loaders, also clean the gasket, dispenser and user-accessible pump filter, then let the interior dry between loads. Never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar or other cleaners.
