User Manual GE WSM2420TCAWW Unitized Spacemaker® Washer and Electric Dryer

Cycle Suggested

• Synthetics
• Permanent press, treated cottons, blends with cottons
• Down-filled garments, if machine washing is recommended*

• Baby clothes (delicate)
• Lingerie

• Cottons and linens
• Denims
• Baby clothes (sturdy)

Special Instructions

Wash frequently to fluff up the down and retain the garment’s warmth. WASH SEPARATELY. Wet down gives off an odor which may be absorbed by other garments. Odor disappears when garment is dry. Treat heavily soiled areas with liquid detergent or a paste made of water and powdered detergent. Close zippers. Wash 2 or 3 garments at a time or add towels to balance. GARMENT MUST BE TUMBLE-DRIED.

BLEACH
Chlorine liquid such as Clorox brand

Nonchlorine such as Clorox 2 brand

Pour diluted bleach next to the agitator.

Follow package directions.
Put bleach into washer with detergent.

1. Dilute bleach before using on any fabric. Do not pour undiluted liquid chlorine bleach directly into washer or on dry clothes.
2. Some of today’s washable fabrics should not be chlorinebleached such as silk, wool, spandex, or nonfast colors.
3. Check manufacturers’ care labels for special instructions.

May be used on most fabrics. Test fabric first.

FABRIC SOFTENERS
Rinse additive such as Downy brand

1. Helps make clothes fluffy and soft.
2. Reduces static electricity.
3. Use the following manufacturer’s direction. Too much may cause a hard, rough feeling on some clothes.
4. Do not pour directly on clothes.

SANITIZER
Chlorine bleach such as Clorox brand

Guards against infection by killing most bacteria and viruses.

WATER SOFTENER
Nonprecipitating such as Calgon brand

Precipitating such as Borax brand

Follow package directions. Add at start of wash cycle.

Follow package directions. Add at start of wash cycle.

Suspends hardness minerals in solution, keeping water clear.

Combines with water hardness minerals to form precipitate which gives cloudy or milky appearance to water.

SOAK AGENT
Such as Biz brand

For best results, soak garments a minimum of 30 minutes.

PRETREATING, STAIN AND SPOT REMOVERS
Such as Spray ’n Wash and K2R brands

CAUTION: Washer control panels and finishes may be damaged by some laundry pretreatment soil and stain remover products if such products are sprayed on or havedirect contact with the washer. Apply these pretreatment products away from washer. The fabric may then be washed normally. Damage to your washer caused by pretreatment products is not covered by your warranty.

TINTS AND DYES
Powdered such as Rit and Tintex brands

Clean washer to avoid discoloration of next load. Go through complete cycle (5-minute wash) using hot water, 1/2 cup (120 ml) detergent, 1 cup (240 ml) bleach. Wipe exterior parts.

CAUTION: Tinting may discolor plastic in washer. Subsequent washings will reduce discoloration but may never eliminate it.

Adhesives (Chewing Gum, etc.)

Rub with ice or immerse in very cold water. Use dull tool to carefully scrape off as much adhesive or gum as possible. Sponge with a safe dry-cleaning fluid*; then launder.

Apply undiluted liquid detergent. Rinse. If stain remains, bleach according to the Stain Removal Hint; launder. If color has changed, you may be able to restore it by sponging with ammonia.** Rinse thoroughly.

Same as white and bleachable fabrics except use nonchlorine bleach.

Soak in cold water; then launder in warm water. If stain remains, bleach according to the Stain Removal Hint; launder.

Sponge or soak in cool water; then launder.

Chocolate, Cream, Ice Cream and Milk

Soak in cold water. Sponge with a safe cleaning fluid.* Apply undiluted liquid detergent. Launder in warm water.

Sponge with warm water. If stain remains, apply warm glycerine, let stand 30 minutes and rinse well, or sponge with a safe dry-cleaning fluid.* Launder.

Cosmetics: Eye Shadow, Lipstick, Mascara, Liquid or Pancake Makeup, Rouge, Powder; Crayon; Grease, Oil, Tar, Cod Liver Oil

Sponge with a safe dry-cleaning fluid.* Then launder in warm detergent water.

Sponge with warm water. Bleach remaining stain with nonchlorine bleach.

Sponge with warm water. Apply undiluted liquid detergent. Bleach remaining stain with nonchlorine bleach; then launder. Old mildew stains can seldom be removed. Scorch can seldom be removed.

Fresh stains: Place stain face down on an absorbent towel and sponge with dry-cleaning fluid*; or use spray cleaner. Apply undiluted liquid detergent. Old stains: Bleach according to the Stain Removal Hint; launder.

Same as white and bleachable fabrics except launder using nonchlorine bleach.

Same as white and bleachable fabrics.

Apply undiluted liquid detergent and launder in warm water. If color has changed, you may be able to restore it by treating with ammonia or vinegar.** If any stain remains, treat with safe dry-cleaning fluid* or bleach according to the Stain Removal Hint; launder.

Launder in warm water. Rinse well. Bleach with nonchlorine bleach.

Apply rust remover,** using manufacturer’s directions. Rinse and launder.

Same as white and bleachable fabrics.

Cycle Suggested

For Clothes Load/Fabrics such as:

Automatic Regular

• Cottons and linens
• Down-filled garments, if machine washing and drying are recommended

Automatic Permanent Press and Knits

• Permanent press fabrics with cotton
• Synthetics

Delicates

• Silks and wools
• Rayon and acetate

Timed

• Pillows*

Special Instructions
Refer to garment manufacturers’ care labels for more information.

Check ticking for holes or weak seams where feathers or filling could escape. DRY ONLY ONE PILLOW AT A TIME. Set dryer for maximum time. Stop dryer occasionally and shake pillow to redistribute filling for more even drying. Check pillow at end of drying time—if not completely dry, return pillow to dryer and reset for more drying time. Feather pillows dry very slowly and must be dried completely to prevent mildew. DO NOT tumble dry pillows containing kapok.

PROBLEM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

WASHER OR DRYER WON’T START

• Make sure controls are properly set and washer cycle selector is pulled out or dryer Start button is pushed.
• Appliance unplugged. Make sure cord is firmly plugged into electrical outlet.
• No power to appliance. Check fuses and circuit breakers to make sure appliance is getting current.
• Dryer door is open. Dryer will not run with door open. Make sure washer lid is closed. Washer will fill but will not spin with lid open.
• Make sure both hot and cold faucets are turned on.

WON’T DRAIN

• Kinked or pinched hose. Check and correct.
• Top of drain outlet should be less than 6 feet above the floor.

WATER LEAKS

• Make sure hose connections are tight at faucets.
• Make sure end of drain hose is correctly inserted into and secured to drain facility.

WASHER WON’T SPIN AND COMPLETE CYCLE

• Lid not closed. Washer will not progress through spin cycle with lid up. Make sure lid is closed.

CLOTHES ARE ABNORMALLY WET AFTER SPIN

• Load may have been excessively out of balance. Redistribute clothes and rerun through final spin.

APPLIANCE IS NOISY

• Heavily unbalanced loads can cause the washer to vibrate excessively during spin, and may cause it to move from its original position. To correct, open the lid and redistribute the load evenly about the wash basket. Close the lid and restart.
• Metallic “clicks” heard as timer advances during operation are normal.
• Uneven floor. Make sure appliance is level and firm to floor.

WATER DOES NOT ENTER OR ENTERSS LOWLY

• Faucets turned off. Make sure faucets are on and adjusted correctly.
• Hoses kinked. Check and correct.
• Clogged screen in water valve. Unscrew fill hose from washer and clean screen if necessary. When reassembling, make hand-tight plus 1/3 turn with pliers.

WATER TEMPERATURE INCORRECT

• Faucets not adjusted to give desired temperature. Readjust them.
• Household water heater not set to deliver correct temperature—140° to 150°F (60° to 66°C). Reset it.
• Water valve screens may be clogged. Remove inlet hoses from water valve. Clean the screens and reinstall the hoses.
• Make sure selector controls are properly set.
• Make sure hoses are connected to correct faucets—hot to hot, cold to cold.

WASHER PAUSES IN CYCLE

• Washer normally pauses about 1/2 minute in progressing from one portion of its cycle to the next.
• Alternate pauses in the agitation are normal in the delicate wash cycle. Agitation will resume in 1–2minutes.
• The brief pause in the final spin of each cycle is normal operation for this washer.

These are sometimes called “invisible stains” because you may not notice them before washing clothes. However, if oily soils are not completely removed in the wash cycle, the oily spots may pick up dirt from the wash water. The spots will then be very visible. They are not caused by the washer. Wash synthetic garments as soon as possible after wearing. Use more detergent than normal and the hottest water the fabric can stand.

If spots appear, rub in undiluted liquid detergent, let stand 30 minutes and rewash using hottest water fabric can stand.

• Incomplete removal of body soil due to constant use of insufficient detergent. Check hem of T-shirt or pillow case. If they are white and center is yellow, it contains body oil. Restore whiteness following procedures on “Grayed Clothes” in this section.
• Chlorine bleach may yellow some fabrics with resin finishes. Use oxygen bleach (such as Clorox 2 ™ brand). Refer to garment manufacturers’ care instructions. Restore color using color remover (such as Rit ™ or Tintex ™ brands); follow package directions.
• Iron or manganese in water may cause overall yellowing or yellow spots.

1. Use extra detergent plus a nonprecipitating water softener dissolved in water before adding clothes. Use nonchlorine bleach.
2. Have a special filter or chemical feeder installed in your home to remove iron and manganese from water.
3. Run hot water for a few minutes to clean iron residue buildup in lines; drain water heater occasionally.
4. To remove spots: spread stained portion over pan of boiling water and squeeze lemon juice through stain.
   To remove overall yellow, use a commercially available rust scale remover, following package instructions.

Improper use of fabric softener. Never pour fabric softener directly on clothes; always dilute before adding to rinse water.
To remove stains: dampen stained area and rub with undiluted liquid detergent. Rewash, using chlorine bleach if safe for fabric.

• Water is not hot enough for type of load. Make sure water heater is set to deliver hot water at the washer 140°–150°F (60°–66°C). Do not wash when other hot water needs—such as dishwashing or family baths—are heavy.
• Poor or inferior detergent (or use of soap in hard water). Change to phosphate detergent if possible.

Follow these steps:

• Use water conditioner (such as Calgon ™ brand).
• Use hottest water possible.
• Pretreat stains.
• Use presoak aids.
• Install water softener.
• Washer overloaded. Clothes cannot move freely to loosen and remove soil, causing gray appearance. Follow correct loading procedures for size of loads.
• Improper soaking, with insufficient detergent. Usually a 30-minute soak is sufficient. However, when using extended soaks for heavily soiled garments, you may need to use twice the recommended amount of detergent.
• Washing too long may result in increased soil redeposition. Use shorter wash time for smaller loads.
• Detergent dissolves too slowly. It is important that detergent be present in the wash solution at the start of wash agitation.

To restore grayed clothes — Most grayed clothes can be at least partially restored by the following procedure:

1. Put clothes in washer.
2. Fill with HOT water. Check manufacturers’ tags to determine if hot water is suitable for garment.
3. Add a nonprecipitating type of water softener such as Calgon ™ brand with phosphate. Use 21 ⁄ 2 times as much as you need for normal water softening.
4. Do not add soap or detergent.
5. Allow clothes to go through complete cycle.
6. Repeat, if necessary.
7. If you prefer to soak clothes, use water softener in place of soak agent or prewash detergent and allow clothes to soak for about 20 minutes.

HEAVILY SOILEDAREAS such as collars and cuffs

• Pretreat with liquid detergent.

LINT OR RESIDUEON CLOTHES INCYCLE

• Incorrect sorting of clothes. Separate lint-producers (such as terry towels and chenille) with lint-receivers (such as manmade fabrics, velveteen, corduroy).
• Washing too long, especially for smaller loads. For normal soil, use 1 minute per pound of dry clothes.
• Use of nonphosphate detergents which combine with hardness minerals in water to form a precipitate which can be mistaken for lint.
• Use phosphate detergent or liquid detergent; use warmer wash water or soften water with an installed mechanical softener or a packaged water softener.
• Undissolved granular detergent may leave powdery residue on fabrics which can be mistaken for lint.
  (a) See detergent guide for recommendations on how to add detergent to speed up complete dissolving.
  (b) Use a liquid or special cold water detergent.
  (c) Predissolve granular detergent in hot water, or make sure detergent is dissolved completely in wash water before adding clothes.
  (d) Make certain clothes have ample room to move in washer.
  (e) Use a warmer wash water.
• Overloading of washer will cause abrasion which creates excessive lint. Wash fewer items in each load. Make sure water level is correct for size of load.
• Too much bleach. Overbleached items, such as towels, will shed excessive lint. Use correct amount of bleach according to package directions.
• Not enough detergent. Enough detergent must be used to hold lint in suspension during wash cycle. Increase amount of detergent used. Amount is determined by water hardness, size of load, degree of soiland amount of water. See detergent guide.
• Incorrect use of fabric softener. If used in wash cycle, many softeners may react with detergent to create a white deposit. Use fabric softeners only in rinse cycle.
• Pilling, usually on polyester-cotton blends, is caused by normal wear and may look like lint. Turning clothes inside out may help.
• Static electricity caused by overdrying will cause attraction. Use fabric softener in rinse cycle.

To correct — All residue except pilling can usually be removed from garments through use of correct laundry procedures.

SNAGS, HOLES, TEARS, RIPS OR EXCESSIVE WEAR

There is no solution once this type of damage has occurred.

• Pins on garments or sharp objects left in pockets. Remove all pins, check pockets of all garments before putting in washer. Also check washer to see if any objects remained in wash tub.
• Snaps, hooks, sharp buttons, belt buckles, zippers. Make sure all hooks, snaps and buttons are fastened. Remove sharp buttons and belt buckles. This is very important when washing knits, which snag easily. Turn knits inside out.
• Improper use of chlorine bleach. Holes may have random square shape, yellow discoloration; fabric will be weak at edges of hole.
  (a) Use only correct, measured amount of bleach.
  (b) Never add undiluted bleach to washer tub nor allow clothes to come in contact with undiluted bleach. Do not wipe up bleach spills with clothes.
  (c) Damage from chemicals such as hair preparations (bleach, dye, home permanent solution), battery acid, some toilet bowl cleaners. Immediately rinse towels and other articles thoroughly which have come in contact with these chemicals before putting them in washer. Avoid contaminating items of clothing with such chemicals.
• Small, unnoticed holes, tears or ripped seams may enlarge during washing. Check garments carefully before loading washer and mend all rips and tears.
• As permanent press garments age, they may show fraying at collars and cuffs. This is due to the weakening of the fibers by the permanent press process. It is not caused by the washer. You can slow this process by washing small permanent press loads with a large water level. Do not wash heavy items such as towels with permanent press. When possible, remove collar stays.
• Roughness or burrs on agitator due to damage incurred by heavy belt buckles, etc. Examine agitator for roughness or burrs and smooth by filing if necessary.
• May be using wrong cycle for delicate fabrics. Use delicate cycle. Refer to garment manufacturers’ care instructions.
• Garments weakened by aging, sun or atmosphere. This is an inevitable process and is not caused by the washer. You may slow down process by use of delicate cycle.
• Too little water in washer or too large a load. Load washer only with the number of items that will move freely. Select correct water level.

• Leaving clothes in dryer after tumbling stops. Immediately after dryer stops tumbling, remove clothes and place them on hangers.
• Too many items in dryer. Dry only one washer load at a time. Do not combine loads.
• Too few items in dryer. If drying only one article, add two or more similar articles, even if dry, to ensure proper tumbling.
• Improper loads. Avoid laundering heavy permanent press items, such as work clothes, with lighter permanent press items such as shirts or blouses. Also do not wash or dry permanent press items with regular laundry.
• Too many items in washer. Items must have room to move freely. Permanent press loads should always be smaller than regular loads…no more than medium loads.
• Use of incorrect wash and dry cycles. Use permanent press wash cycle which provides a cool-down rinse to minimize wrinkling. Also, use automatic dry cycle.
• Incorrect water level. Use large level for medium load; medium level for small load.
• Repeated washing in too hot water. Wash in cold or warm water with plenty of detergent.
• Accumulation of lime scale due to use of carbonate detergents. If a nonphosphate detergent must be used, avoid the use of a carbonate-built detergent.

To remove Stubborn wrinkles –

• Retumble small loads on automatic dry setting.
• Rerinse and dry on automatic dry setting.
• If unsuccessful, retumble on high heat for 10–12 minutes and hang immediately.
• Iron carefully.
• Send to cleaners for pressing.
• Some wrinkles may remain which cannot be removed.*

*NOTE: If you follow good laundry procedures and permanent press clothes still come out wrinkled, the finish may not be good quality. Also, in permanent press synthetic/cotton blends, the cotton portion of the fabric can eventually wear away leaving only the synthetic. Since the cotton has a resin finish that imparts the memory, a loss or decrease of permanent press performance will result.

SHRINKAGE, GENERAL

• Some fabrics will shrink whether washed in a washer or by hand; others may be safely washed but will shrinkin a dryer. Follow garment manufacturers’ care instructions exactly. If in doubt, do not machine wash or dry.

SHRINKAGE, KNITS

• Relaxation shrinkage can occur in knit fabrics that have been improperly stretched and elongated by the manufacturer. When this occurs, garment may be pressed back into shape after each wash and dry cycle.
• Progressive or delayed shrinkage is caused when starch or sizing (in some fabrics) is gradually removed by laundering. May be noticed in older garments that have been washed many times without previous shrinkage.Treat as for Relaxation Shrinkage above.
• Shrinkage caused by overheating occurs in certain knit fabrics that have been heat-shaped. When washing, drying or ironing temperatures exceed the temperatures used to set the shapes, shrinkage may occur. This cannot be corrected, but it can be prevented by washing in cool or warm water and drying on low or delicate heat.

CLOTHES TAKE TOO LONG TO DRY

• Controls improperly set. Check all controls to make sure they are correctly set for the load you want to dry.
• Improper ducting. Make sure dryer is ducted in accordance with Installation Instructions.
• Obstruction in exhaust ducting. Make sure ducting is clean and free of obstruction, and make sure damper inoutside wall cap operates easily. If metal flexible ducting is used, be sure it is not kinked and that it is installed according to Installation Instructions.
• Blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers. Check household fuses or circuit breakers. Most electric dryers use two. It is possible for one to be blown or tripped and the dryer to still tumble without heat.
• Improper sorting. Do not mix heavy, hard-to-dry items with lightweight articles.
• Too many items in dryer. Dry only one washer load at a time. Do not combine loads.
• Too few items in dryer. If drying only one article, add two or more similar articles even if dry, to ensure proper tumbling.
• If your dryer is operating on a 208-volt circuit, longer drying times can be expected.
• Clothes were excessively wet when they were put into the dryer.

WASHER OR DRYER WON’T START

• Dryer door is open. Dryer will not run with door open. Make sure lint filter is in proper position. Make sure washer lid is closed. Washer will fill but will not spin with lid open.