Vinegar rinse in Duet Steam?

16 years ago

I just got a new Duet Steam, and I am using vinegar as my fabric softener. I did this with my previous Duet with no problem. As soon as I close the dispenser drawer, and before the washer is turned on, the vinegar leaks out of the dispenser and into the washer. I opened the washer and smelled the clothes I had placed in there, and what I saw leak into the washer was indeed pure vinegar. I then checked the dispenser drawer, and the fabric softener dispenser was completely empty. Can I not use vinegar as a fabric softener in this machine, or should I request a service call?

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Comments (10)

regus_patoff
16 years ago
a model number may be helpful

usually, if you fill the dispenser too full, it will siphon out, that's how they usually get the f/s out, spray with water and it siphons out.
tucker2930
16 years ago
I have a Sears HE5T and I fill the bleach and fabric softner with vinegar every load. If you overfill like "regus patoff" said it will siphon out.
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gordonr
16 years ago
On the HE5t-Steam I've used only vinegar without issue. Fill it with about 1/2 oz. Haven't had a problem. If your not overfilling, sounds like time for a service call.
joe_in_philly
16 years ago
Also, be sure to close the drawer slowly. A brisk motion can cause the siphoning action to start. I think the new Duet dispensers are more shallow than the old ones.

Joe
regus_patoff
16 years ago
1/2 ounce ?
I don't think that'll do much.

My LG holds 4 ounces
gordonr
16 years ago
Of course the dispenser holds more than 1/2 oz. It's not how much it will hold - it's how much do you need. We use powdered detergents and have hard water so the conditions are prime for a slight acid rinse helping. I've read in the past you need to be careful with vinegar as it can have a damaging effect on fibers like cotton and linen. That's why I've started with a small dose and will only increase after seeing results for a while.

I thought the rule of thumb for traditional top loaders was 4 oz of vinegar. But that's 4 oz into a tub holding 15 to 20 gallons of water. I'm guessing my front loader might use 2 to 3 gallons in it's final rinse so somewhere between 0.5 to 1.0 oz of vinegar would be a good starting point. Just been moving to this bigger FLer (from a 5 kg machine) so don't have my quantities 100% dialed in yet, but 4 oz might be way too much for my situation.
regus_patoff
16 years ago
I just double checked:

the LG f/s holds 1/2 cup (4 oz) and
the liquid bleach 3/4 cup (6 oz)

here's some info from Reader's Digest website:

"A cup of vinegar will brighten small loads of white clothes."

link: ReaderÂs Digest vinegar in the washing machine
gordonr
16 years ago
Wow! Reader's Digest makes 26 claims for the usefulness of vinegar and laundry. Don't have first hand experience with any of these beyond using it as a substitute for fabric softener. Seems a little acid goes a long way. Got to love it when common stuff can be so useful!

You'll also find many web sites that call for 1/2 cup. In any case, even at a full cup per traditional TLer load that would still equate to between 1 and 1.5 oz for a FLer. Also the FLer final rinse is much "cleaner" than a TLer rinse and most likely more hardness and soap scum has already rinsed away. Might be worth taking a sample of the final rinse water and checking it's pH with a pool test kit to fine tune the right amount (whatever that ends up being).
racerl1
Original Author
16 years ago
The model number is WFW9600TW. I've been using 1/4 cup of vinegar, but I'll check next time to make sure I am not going over the "Max" line. Also, I'll be sure to close the dispenser drawer slowly to see if that helps. I'll post back with the results. Thanks.
racerl1
Original Author
16 years ago
I have been pouring the vinegar in the dispenser slowly, and closing the drawers slowly, and I have not had any more problems. Thanks for the help!

Vinegar rinse in Duet Steam?

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Vinegar rinse in Duet Steam?

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