Amana

Laundry 101

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cheat sheet

1. Measure Your Space

Decide where you will install your new washer and dryer. You will need:

  • A level floor with no more that a 1" slope
  • A location that can support the installation of a dryer exhaust system
  • Hot and cold water lines within 3’ of washer hookups

Measure the height, width and depth of the area designated for your new washer and dryer.

W: side to side

(add 1" on each side for air circulation)

D: back to front

(add at least 6" to depth for door clearance, dryer vents, and hookups)

H: top to bottom

(for top-loading washers, add at least 20" for door clearance)

Measure the clearance of doorways, hallways and other points of entry that will be used to deliver your new laundry pair.


2. What's your connection - gas or electric

There are two dryer types - gas and electric. Similar models look and perform the same, but differ in how they are set up. Your decision between the two will depend on where you will connect your new dryer:

Gas: needs an approved gas line with shut off valve.

Electric: needs a three-prong outlet with 30 amp circuit.


3. Evaluate the Features

Here are some features that you may want in your new laundry pair:

    Washer
  • High Efficiency
  • Super Capacity Sizes
  • Water Level & Balance Sensors
    Dryer
  • Noise Reduction Packages
  • Wrinkle Reduction Options
  • Moisture-Sensing Cycles

4. Choose Your Accessories

There are some handy organizers and accessories that can soup up a laundry pair.

Work Surfaces: create a place for items to be pre-treated or folded atop your washer and dryer.

Stack Kit: stack your front-load washer and dryer for easy access.



Other

Confirm that electrical output is sufficient for the location of your new washer and dryer. You will need:

  • A grounded electrical outlet within 4’ of the rear of both machines (no extension cord or adaptor)
  • A separate designated 30 amp circuit

Set water heater to 120oF for washer.

Your home should have:

  • A CST International approved gas supply line
  • A shut-off valve

Decide how you will dispose of your old laundry pair, if necessary.

  • Some retailers offer removal of your old machines when your new ones are delivered
  • Washers and dryers in good condition may be donated to a local charity

Contact a licensed professional for installation. New installations may require significant carpentry, electrical and plumbing skills.

Washer Maintenance Guide

Because all clothes washers have the potential to accumulate some amount of mildew, bacteria and odor after a period of use, we recommend that you perform the following simple routine maintenance:
  • Always follow the instructions in the use and care guide for your washing machine.
  • Always leave the washer door or lid open between uses to help dry out the washer and prevent the buildup of odor-causing residue.
  • Promptly remove laundry after the wash cycle has completed to avoid odor and rusting of metal objects on garments. Wet fabric left in a closed space is particularly conducive to the development of odor.
  • Use only the amount of detergent recommended on the detergent container. If your washer is a high-efficiency machine, use only HE detergent, not regular detergent.
  • Choose the warmest wash water temperature that is safe for the fabrics you are washing. Use of warm or hot water washers sometimes (not exclusively cold water washes) does a better job of controlling the rate at which soils and detergent accumulate.
  • Regularly clean your washing machine. If specific cleaning instructions are not included in your use and care guide, it is a good practice to run an empty cycle (without laundry) once a month using hot water and liquid chlorine bleach or a commercially available washing machine cleaner, such as affresh Washer Cleaner.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of mildew, bacteria, and odors in washering machines, including the following:
  • Not all of the water immediately evaporates after a load is complete.
  • Washing machines generally are kept in somewhat closed and damp environments, such a laundry rooms and basements.
  • The laundry that is put into washing machines has a wide variety of organic materials.
  • Modern high-efficiency washing machines use less water and are more tightly sealed when the door or lid is closed.
  • Modern high-efficiency washing machines are designed for use with specially-formulated, low-sudsing high-efficiency (?HE?) detergent. Regular detergent may cause excessive suds in high-efficiency machines, and excessive suds can leave a soap film that is conducive to the development of mildew, bacteria, and odor.
  • Over time, laundry habits have changed, including the use of less bleach, more fabric softener, and more frequent cold water washes. These habits may increase the rate at which detergent and soil residue builds up inside the washer, which in turn may result in undesirable odor.