GE wwa3650r User Manual

Is your water hard? If it is, and if you use a carbonate type non-phosphate detergent, you will most probably notice
limestone* deposits on your clothes and washer surfaces. The hardness of your water and your washing frequency
will determine how rapidly the limestone will build up. If your water is VERY HARD (11 or more grains) and if you
wash just a few loads a week, you may see limestone buildup in just a few months.

Although limestone buildup occurs more rapidly on
cotton, it will eventually affect various fabrics in the
following ways:

● 

Gives a stiff, harsh, rough feel to fabrics such

as toweling.

 Causes colors to fade and become dull and dingy.

● 

Causes graying of fabrics.

● 

Leaves a white, powdery residue on 

colored items.

● 

Causes spot-fading of bright colors as a result of

direct contact with detergent.

● 

Reduces wrinkle-resistance of permanent

press fabrics.

 Destroys effectiveness of flame-retardant finishes

on cottons such as children’s 

 Increases fabric wear because of the scrubbing

action between limestone deposits on the fabrics
during washer agitation.

● 

Unsightly buildup on 

 washer surfaces exposed to

the wash solution.

● 

Mat-like, crusty formations caused by lint adhering

to the sticky limestone deposits.

● 

Increased service calls because of limestone deposits

in the pump, recirculation water hoses, filters and
other washer parts.

● 

Reduced useful life of washer.

● 

Use a powdered phosphate detergent or a liquid

detergent if these are available in your area.

● 

Install a home water softener. This will significantly

reduce limestone buildup.

● 

Use a packaged non-precipitating water softener,

such as 

 brand with phosphate.

The following recommendations will temporarily

● 

Increase amount of detergent. See guide on next

delay the effects of limestone on your clothes. These

page for recommended detergent amounts in relation

are generally good washing practices and 

 give

to water hardness.

better soil removal whether or not you have hard

● 

Increase use of bleaches, presoaks, packaged water

water or use carbonate detergent.

conditioners, prewash soil and stain removers to

● 

Use hotter wash water, for example up to

help in removing stubborn soils and stains.

 

 for cottons. This also improves

oily-soil removal.

 Use greater care in sorting loads. Wash very

dirty loads separately and increase detergent to 

● 

If you wash in cooler water to save energy, use more

keep dirt from redepositing on less soiled items.

detergent to promote better washing. Also be sure to

Wash delicate items separately to prevent damage

use bleach on 

 fabrics. Use hot water

from heavy, sturdy clothes.

whenever possible.

● 

Wash smaller loads to increase cleaning action

● 

Add detergent and 

 washer to 

 and agitate

of washer.

for three or four minutes to dissolve detergent before

● 

Use fabric softener to counteract stiffness or

adding clothes.

harshness in clothes.

11