Whirlpool RAB3121EW0 User manual

ONE SPEED AUTOMATIC WASHERS
3949064 A
A Note to You ......................... 2
Washer Safety ........................ 3
Parts and Features................. 4
Operating Your Washer
(models with separate
Water Level and
Temperature Selectors)...... 5
(models with
Temperature Selector
in Cycle Control Knob)........ 9
Stopping/restarting your
washer .............................. 11
Understanding what
happens in each cycle...... 12
Understanding normal
washer sounds ................. 12
Adding liquid chlorine
bleach............................... 13
Adding liquid fabric
softener............................. 13
Caring for Your Washer....... 14
Laundry Tips ........................ 15
Removing Stains.................. 19
Troubleshooting................... 22
Requesting Assistance or
Service in the U.S.A. ............ 24
Requesting Assistance or
Service in Canada ................ 25
Warranty ............................... 26
GUIDE
UseAndCare

2
A Note to You
Thank you for buying this appliance.
You have purchased a quality, world-class home appliance. Years of engineering experience
have gone into its manufacturing. Use this Use and Care Guide to safely and efficiently
operate and maintain your appliance. Complete and mail the Ownership Registration Card
provided with your appliance. This will help us notify you about any new information on your
appliance.
Please record your model’s information.
Whenever you call to request service on
your appliance, you need to know your
complete model number and serial number.
You can find this information on the model
and serial number plate (see diagram on
page 4 for location of plate).
Please also record the purchase date of
your appliance and your dealer’s name,
address, and telephone number.
Keep this book and the sales slip together in a safe place for future reference.
In the U.S.A., call our Consumer
Assistance Center toll-free.
Model Number __________________________
Serial Number __________________________
Purchase Date __________________________
Dealer Name ___________________________
Dealer Address _________________________
Dealer Phone ___________________________
1-800-253-1301
In Canada, contact your dealer or nearest Inglis Limited
Appliance Service Branch.

3
Washer Safety
Your safety is important to us.
This guide contains safety statements
under warning symbols. Please pay special
attention to these symbols and follow any
instructions given. Here is a brief explana-
tion of the symbol.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING – To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to
persons when using the washer, follow basic precautions, including
the following:
•Read all instructions before using
the washer.
•Do not wash articles that have
been previously cleaned in,
washed in, soaked in, or spotted
with gasoline, dry-cleaning
solvents, or other flammable or
explosive substances as they
give off vapors that could ignite
or explode.
•Do not add gasoline, dry-cleaning
solvents, or other flammable or
explosive substances to the wash
water. These substances give
off vapors that could ignite or
explode.
•Under certain conditions, hydro-
gen gas may be produced in a
hot water system that has not
been used for 2 weeks or more.
HYDROGEN GAS IS EXPLO-
SIVE. If the hot water system has
not been used for such a period,
before using the washing ma-
chine, turn on all hot water fau-
cets and let the water flow from
each for several minutes. This will
release any accumulated hydro-
gen gas. As the gas is flammable,
do not smoke or use an open
flame during this time.
This symbol alerts you to
hazards such as fire,
electrical shock, or other
injuries.
– SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS –
•Do not allow children to play on
or in the washer. Close supervi-
sion of children is necessary
when the washer is used near
children.
•Before the washer is removed
from service or discarded, re-
move the door.
•Do not reach into the washer if
the tub or agitator is moving.
•Do not install or store the washer
where it will be exposed to the
weather.
•Do not tamper with controls.
•Do not repair or replace any part
of the washer or attempt any
servicing unless specifically
recommended in this Use and
Care Guide or in published
user-repair instructions that you
understand and have the skills to
carry out.
•See Installation Instructions for
grounding requirements.

4
WASHWASH
RINSERINSE
TEMPERATURE
WARMWARM
COLDCOLD
COLDCOLD
COLDCOLD
HOTHOT
WARMWARM
HOTHOT
COLDCOLD
LOAD SIZELOAD SIZE
EXEX
LARGELARGE
LARGELARGE
SMALLSMALL
MEDIUMMEDIUM
WATERWATER
SAVER
2 SPEED • 8 CYCLE2 SPEED • 8 CYCLE
•
SELF CLEANING FILTERSELF CLEANING FILTER
•
1/2 HP MOTOR1/2 HP MOTOR
WHIRLPOOLCORPORATIONWHIRLPOOLCORPORATION
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTERCUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER
1-800-253-1301
HEAVYDUTYHEAVYDUTY
SUPERCAPACITYSUPERCAPACITY
PULLSTART
•
PUSH STOP
NORMAL
HEAVY
SUPER WASHSUPERWASH
OFF
OFF
PERMANENTPERMANENT
PRESSPRESS
OFF
KNITS/DELICATES
OFF
10
14
6
6
14
10
SOAK
NORMAL
LIGHT
NORMAL
LIGHT
4
68
COOLCOOL
DOWNDOWN
DEEPDEEP
RINSERINSE
REGULAR
Parts and Features
The parts and features of your washer are illustrated on this page. Become familiar with all
parts and features before using your washer. Page references are included next to some
features. Refer to those pages for more information about the features.
NOTE:
•The drawings in this book may vary from your washer model. They are designed to
show the different features of all models covered by this book. Your model may not
include all features.
Basket
Tub
Model and serial
number plate
(under lid)
Cycle control knob
(may include temperature
selections)
(pp. 6-11)
Water level
selector†
(p. 6)
Self-cleaning lint filter†
(bottom of washer basket)
(p. 8)
Liquid chlorine
bleach dispenser†
(p. 13)
Temperature selector†
(p. 6)
†On some models

5
Operating Your Washer
To obtain the best washing results, you must operate your washer properly. This section
gives you this important information. Page references are included for more information.
NOTES:
•Pages 5-8 detail using models with sepa-
rate Water Temperature and Water Level
Selectors.
•Pages 9-11 detail using models with
the Temperature Selector in the Cycle
Control Knob.
wWARNING
Electrical Shock Hazard
Plug into a grounded 3 prong outlet.
Do not remove ground prong.
Do not use an adapter.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in death or electrical
shock.
wWARNING
Explosion Hazard
Never place items in the washer that
are dampened with gasoline or other
flammable fluids.
Do not wash or dry items soiled with
vegetable or cooking oils because
they may contain some oil after
laundering.
Doing so can result in death,
explosion, or fire.
Starting Your Washer
(models with separate Water
Level and Temperature
Selectors)
1. Add measured detergent to the
washer. Then place a sorted load of
clothes in the washer.
•Sort and load clothes as described on
pages 15-16. You may load clothes to
the top row of basket holes.
•If desired, you may also add color
safe bleach.
2. (OPTIONAL STEP) If desired, add
measured liquid chlorine bleach to the
dispenser (see page 13).
•Use only liquid chlorine bleach in the
bleach dispenser.
3. Close the washer lid.
Liquid chlorine bleach
dispenser
continued on next page

6
OPERATING YOUR WASHER
LARGE
SMALL EXTRA
LARGE
MEDIUM
WATER LEVEL
WARM
WARM
COLD
COLD
WARM
COLD
WASH
RINSE
HOT
COLD
TEMPERATURE
4. Select a setting with the Water Level
Selector that corresponds with the
size of your wash load and the type of
fabric being washed.
•To change the water level setting after
the washer has started to fill, move the
Selector to the desired new setting.
•See pages 15 and 16 for loading tips.
5. Select a wash-rinse temperature with
the Water Temperature Selector. Match
the water temperature with the type of
fabric and soils being washed. See
page 17 for water temperature guidelines.
6. Push in the Cycle Control Knob and
turn it clockwise to the wash cycle
you want. See page 7.
7. Pull out the Cycle Control Knob to
start the washer.
8. (OPTIONAL STEP) If desired, add
measured and diluted liquid fabric
softener to the final rinse cycle.
See page 13.

7
OPERATING YOUR WASHER
Selecting a cycle and time
Use the information in this section to help
you make the best cycle selections for your
wash loads. Each cycle is designed for
different types of fabrics and soil levels.
•The washer pauses briefly throughout
each cycle. These pauses are normal for
washer operation.
•Page 12 describes what happens during a
wash cycle.
RINSE SPIN OFF8
PAUSE
RINSE
SPIN
OFF
8
RINSE
SPIN
OFF
20
SOAK
OFF
12
86
LIGHT SOIL
NORMAL PERMANENT
PRESS
HEAVY DUTY EXTRA LARGE CAPACITY PLUS
FABRICARE
REGULAR SOIL
HEAVY SOIL
Normal cycle
The Normal cycle features longer spins to
shorten drying time. Use this cycle for
cleaning cotton and linen fabrics. Select
6 (Light), 8 (Regular), or 12 (Heavy) minutes
of wash time, depending on whether your
load is heavily, moderately, or lightly soiled.
Permanent Press
The Permanent Press cycle features a cool-
down rinse, and shorter spins to reduce
wrinkling. Use this 8-minute cycle for clean-
ing permanent press and some synthetic
fabrics that are lightly to moderately soiled.
Fabricare cycle
The Fabricare cycle features a brief wash
cycle that includes a 2-minute soak and
shorter spins for gentle soil removal. Use
this 8-minute cycle to clean delicate items
and washable knits that are lightly to moder-
ately soiled.
Soak cycle
The Soak cycle features brief periods of
agitation and soak time to help remove
heavy soils and stains that need
pretreatment.
•Use warm water when soaking laundry. Hot
water can set stains. See pages 19-21 for
stain removal information.
•Use the amount of detergent or presoak
additive recommended by the manufacturer.
•After the Soak cycle ends, add detergent
and set a new wash cycle.
Cycle Control Knob with separate
water temperature selector

8
Using rinse and spin
When using extra detergent for heavily
soiled clothes, or washing special-care
items, you may find an extra rinse and spin
is needed.
1. For an additional rinse, push in the Cycle
Control Knob and turn it clockwise to
RINSE, as shown.
2. Pull out the Cycle Control Knob. The
washer fills, agitates, drains, and spins.
Using drain and spin
A drain and spin may help shorten drying
time for some heavy fabrics or special-care
items by removing excess water.
1. Push in the Cycle Control Knob and turn
it clockwise to SPIN, as shown.
2. Pull out the Cycle Control Knob. The
washer drains, then spins.
RINSE OFF
RINSE
OFF
RINSE
OFF
OFF
NORMAL
FABRICARE
OPERATING YOUR WASHER
SPIN OFF
SPIN
OFF
SPIN
OFF
OFF
NORMAL
FABRICARE
Self-cleaning
lint filter Basket
interior
Self-cleaning lint filter
The lint filter at the bottom of the washer
basket cleans itself. During agitation, wash
and rinse water pass over the filter, separat-
ing the lint from the water. The lint is then
spun away from the filter and out of the
system during the spin part of the cycle.
If your washer drains into a tub, remove
any lint collected in the tub or strainer.

9
Starting your washer
(models with Water
Temperature Selector in
Cycle Control Knob)
1. Add measured detergent to the
washer. Then place a sorted load of
clothes in the washer.
•Sort and load clothes as described on
pages 15-16. You may load clothes to
the top row of basket holes.
•If desired, you may also add color
safe bleach.
2. Close the washer lid.
3. Push in the Cycle Control Knob and
turn it clockwise to the wash cycle
you want. See pages 10.
4. Pull out the Cycle Control Knob to
start the washer.
5. (OPTIONAL STEP) If desired, add
measured liquid chlorine bleach
after the washer starts agitating.
See page 13.
6. (OPTIONAL STEP) If desired, add
measured liquid fabric softener to the
final rinse water. See page 13.
OPERATING YOUR WASHER

10
Selecting a cycle, time, and temperature
Use the information in this section to help
you make the best cycle selections for your
wash loads. Each cycle is designed for
different types of fabrics and soil levels.
•The washer pauses briefly throughout
each cycle. These pauses are normal for
washer operation.
•Page 12 describes what happens during a
wash cycle.
OPERATING YOUR WASHER
Water temperature selector in Cycle Control Knob
Normal cycle
The Normal cycle features either WARM or
COLD water and longer spins to shorten
drying time. Select the 14-minute WARM
cycle to clean large loads of sturdily con-
structed fabrics that are heavily soiled.
Select the 10-minute COLD cycle to clean
cotton and linen fabrics that are moderately
to heavily soiled.
NORMAL
COLD
WARM
PULL START PUSH STOP
Spin
14
10
OFF
Rinse
Cycle options
You may select a different wash time by first
selecting the water temperature (Warm or
Cold) and then turning to the new wash
time. For example, for 14 minutes of wash
time with Cold water:
1. Push in the Cycle Control Knob and turn
it clockwise to Cold.
2. Pull out the Cycle Control Knob and allow
your washer to fill.
3. When your washer has filled, push in and
turn the Cycle Control Knob to Heavy, 14
minutes of wash time.
4. Pull out the Cycle Control Knob.