QUESTIONS & ANSWERS from "Ask-the-Wizard":

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

jgalbee:

I assume that the odor that you are referring to that comes from your front load washer is a "mold or mildew" type smell? If so, this actually a common problem that occurs with front load washers. It is caused by water sitting on the gasket that goes around the door (which explains by you have heard it was related to something with the door). There are a couple of things that you can do to eliminate this odor problem with your front load washer. First, after each washer load, you can try leaving the door open, so that the water around the door gasket can thoroughly dry out. Second, to get rid of the mold and mildew that has built up in your washer, you can try using products such as "Purewasher" (which you can find at www.smellywasher.com) or "Whirlout" (which you can find at http://www.summitbrands.com/brands/WhirlOut.aspx).

We hope this solves your problem.
Sincerely,
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from "gomich89": 

My hot water does not work on the washing machine.  I have checked the hose and the on and off valve, the water flows freely through the hose but once connected to the washing machine the water only dribbles out. The cold water works fine.  Is there a fix? The model that I have is a Kenmore Ultra Fabric Care 80 series Model #82681110.  Any info would help thank you.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

gomich89:

There are two power-activated electronic valves in your washing machine, one for cold water and one for hot water. When your washing machine goes through it cycles, depending on what settings you are using, these valves receive power to them at the appropriate time in the cycle to open and close. In other words, when they receive power, these electronic valves open up to allow either hot or cold water to flow into your washer. I assume that when you say the hot water "just dribbles" out, that you are checking it when the setting is showing that hot water should be coming into the washer.

Since you have already checked that hot water flows out of the hose that goes to your washer, there are two things left to check. The first is to check where the hose connects to the washer and see if the screen that is inside of the fitting where the hose connects to washer is plugged up. Be very careful if you are trying to clean out this screen, as with some model washers, this screen can be very difficult to replace.

If this inlet screen is clear, then the next thing to check is the electronic valve that controls the hot water (often called a "solenoid" valve). Testing the solenoid valves for your washer is probably something that you want to ask a professional to do for you. To do it yourself you will need to unplug the power cord from the wall, get a owner's manual from Kenmore (I didn't find one online), and then use a multitester meter to see if the solenoid valve is reading the proper amount across the terminals of the valve (although if it reads 'infinity', then the valve is bad). But again, testing a solenoid valve on your washing machine is something that you should ask a professional to do. 

Hopefully, it will turn out to be just a plugged screen.

Hope this is helpful for you.

Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from "Donna": 

stinky towels

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

Donna:

I assume by "stinky towels" that you mean that washing in your washing machine leaves your towels smelling funny?

If you haven't already, you might want to try white vinegar and running an empty load with your washer on the highest temperature setting.  Let your washer start to fill for about 30 seconds, and then pour in about one-half cup of white vinegar into the machine's soap drawer.  Then let it run empty through its entire cycle.

If this doesn't work for you, then you might want to try treating your washing machine with "Purewasher", which you can purchase at http://www.smellywasher.com/

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from "SonyaK": 

I have a Kenmore Ultra Fabric Care Washer Model 110. My hot water will not shut off unless you turn the valve off. The machine will start the wash cycle once it gets to the fill level but the hot water is still running. You can turn the machine off and the hot water still runs. I have checked the lines what else should I check?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

SonyaK:

From the description of your problem, it sounds like your washing machine has a stuck hot water solenoid valve than needs to be replaced.

Other possible causes of water that doesn't shut off in a washing machine are: bad water level switch; an air leak or a kink in your water level switch hose; an air leak in your air dome; or problems with your machine's timer.

But from what you described, it sounds like it is most likely that your hot water solenoid valve has gone bad.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from "D.Wilder": 

Lately we can hear water flowing through the hose connected to our washer even though it is not being used at the time.  Is this something we should have a plumber come and check? We finally turned both faucets off.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

D.Wilder:

When you say you "hear" water flowing through the hose that is connected to your washer when it is not running, do you mean that you just hear it, or do you also see the water coming into your washer at the same time? And if so, does it fill up your washer and then stop?

If you don't see the water coming in, then this water could be flowing somewhere else, but because the hose comes out of the wall, you hear the sound from the hose.

If its not coming into the washer, then the question is whether this flowing water is going someplace that it is suppose to be going, or is it leaking inside a wall or foundation.

And did the water sound stop when you closed the faucets to the hoses for your washer? If it did stop, then you probably want someone to come out and check the solenoid valves and timer on your washing machine. If the sound did not stop, then you probably want someone to come out to see if there is water leaking somewhere (unless you know for sure that the water is going to a dishwasher, baseboard water heating system make-up water, etc.).

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from "bandbmalone": 

What causes the detergent not to dissolve fully?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

Dear bandbmalone:

Regarding you question about what causes the detergent not to dissolve fully, I assume that you are referring to your washing machine? If so, the problem could be the brand of detergent you are using, and whether you are using hot or cold water. Some detergents do not dissolve very well in cold water. So if you are using cold water, you might want to try switching detergent brands.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from "Jessica": 

How do I connect the washer machine hose to the utility basin?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM:

Dear Jessica:

I assume your question about "connecting your washing machine to your utility basin", is regarding the waste water hose from your washer.

The waste water hose from your washer should connect to the U-bend trap under your utility basin. It should connect on the side of the "U" in the U-bend that is closest to the drain at the bottom of your utility basin.

Note that the hose coming from your washer should be fixed in position so that it is 3-4 inches higher than the connection to the U-bend, before it goes down to your washer. If not, dirty water going down the drain of your utility basin can flow into your washing machine and fill up your washing machine tub.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from Vic on 4/3/2008:

If a multitester switch is set to the 15-volt position and the meter pointer indicates a reading of 82 volts on the 150 VOLTS scale, what is the actual voltage being measured?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM ON 4/3/2008:

Dear Vic:

Here is a link to a webpage that describes how to use a multitester, and what the different scales are for:

http://www.do-it-yourself-washing-machine-and-dryer-repair-help.com/how-to-use-a-multitester.html

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from boyfriend proving girl wrong on 2/10/2008:

Do you fill washer with water and soap before clothes or after?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM ON 2/10/2008: 

Dear “boyfriend proving girl wrong”:

Well, I debated whether it would be better to wait until after Valentine’s Day to answer a question from “boyfriend proving girl wrong”. But nonetheless, here goes . . .

The answer is that it depends.

First, you should check with the owner’s manual for your particular style and brand of washing machine. Sometimes these instructions will also be printed on the inside of the door to your washer.

And if this is not available, then in general it depends on what type of detergent that you are using:

· Powder: put the powder in first, let the water fill up about halfway (depending on the size of your load) so that it can dissolve, then add your clothes.

· Liquid: since liquid detergent will easily mix in with the water, you can add it at anytime. However, if your detergent has bleach in it, then you will not want to put the liquid in first, since having your clothese sitting on top of the bleach could cause some unwanted discoloration.

· Bleach: wait until after your washer starts agitating, then add your bleach or use your bleach dispenser.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com
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QUESTION from C Bower on 2/5/2008:

My washing machine does not start even when it is on the right setting, the button is pulled and the top is closed. If I close it hard, jank it around... eventually it will start... what is wrong?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD.COM ON 2/5/2008:

Dear C Bower:

It sounds like there is something intermittent that is keeping your washing machine from turning on. That is, possibly a bad connection of some sort, which is why it turns on after you "bang it around" a lit bit.

So here's a couple of things you might want to initially try:

1) There is door switch that must be engaged for your washing machine to turn on. If you look around the door to your washing machine, you should see something that looks like a pin that goes in a slot. If this switch is loose, or not connecting properly, then it makes the machine think the door is not closed, so it can prevent it from turning on. This switch could also be "gunked up", and need to be cleaned to work properly.

2) Carefully check to see if the plug for your washing machine is securely plugged into your outlet.

If these don't work for you, just let us know, and we can give you some other things to try.

Home-Wizard.com
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