A method of operating a laundry washing (or washing and drying) machine, and a machine so operated, for determining whether an undetached laundry ring is present within the drum at the end of a washing cycle. The method includes rotating the drum at first and second rotational speeds, respectively below and above the threshold speed at which the load is centrifugally held against the drum's surface, measuring motor current/torque at each speed and comparing the measured values. Optionally, a percentage change in current/torque can be calculated and the existence of the ring detected if the percentage change is above/below a predetermined threshold value. Optionally, speed variation of the drum at each threshold speed can be determined and this information also used in the determination of whether the ring exists.

A method of dosing detergent into a cleaning chamber of a washing machine using gravity. The method comprises providing an amount of detergent to be used in a washing machine, providing a detergent storage tank, providing a diverter valve comprising a detergent inlet, a detergent outlet, and an air vent, presenting a user interface at a location accessible to a user for a user to input load characteristics, relaying information via electrical signals from the user interface to a controller in electrical communication with the user interface, determining a dosage requirement and dispensing a fluid into the cleaning chamber.

Embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for bleaching textiles using ozone gas that incorporates a color removal step. In one example, there is provided a hybrid machine that incorporates certain features of a washer, but that also includes an integrated blower for gas distribution inside the machine. There is also provided an ozone dosing control system that allows for maintenance of a constant concentration of ozone in the machine. In one embodiment, the ozone output measured in grams/hour at this constant concentration in conjunction with the weight of product measured being treated may be referred to as the bleaching factor. There is further provided a wastewater dye removal step, in which ozone is used to clean the water and remove dyes and other colors that may be deposited via denim or other garments.

Method of determining a laundry load size in a laundry treating appliance comprising a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in accordance with a treating cycle of operation, an imaging device, and a controller having a processor, the method includes generating an image, detecting markings in the generated image, and determining, by the controller, a load size based thereon.

The laundry treating device has a user interface configured to receive a user selection of a preprogrammed wash cycle. A treating chemistry dispenser has multiple treating chemistry cups configured to dispense treating chemistry to the treating chamber during the selected washing cycle. A controller configured to activate dispensing from each of the treating chemistry cups at preprogrammed times during the wash cycle. A performance enhancement selector configured to receive a user selection such that activation of the performance enhancement selector causes the controller to dispense one of the treating chemistry cups at a different time than the preprogrammed time during the wash cycle.

The present invention relates to a control method for a laundry dryer. The laundry dryer is a heat-pump type laundry dryer and a compressor of the laundry dryer is a variable-frequency compressor. The control method includes setting a minimum running frequency of the compressor according to an amount of clothes to be dried, where the more the clothes are, the larger the set minimum running frequency is. Specifically, when laundry drying is started, the amount of the clothes being dried is detected. According to the detected information, a minimum running frequency of the compressor, corresponding to the information, is invoked, and the minimum running frequency of the compressor in the current laundry drying process is set.

Method of determining a laundry load size in a laundry treating appliance comprising a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in accordance with a treating cycle of operation, an imaging device, and a controller having a processor, the method includes generating an image, detecting markings in the generated image, and determining, by the controller, a load size based thereon.

A washing machine appliance for performing timed wash cycles is provided. The washing machine appliance receives a total cycle time for a timed wash cycle. A fill time of a fill cycle portion of the timed wash cycle is determined. Then, one or more cycle times of the remaining one or more cycle portions of the timed wash cycle are adjusted based at least in part on the total cycle time and the fill time such that the timed wash cycle is completed by the total cycle time.

Dryer appliances and methods for operating dryer appliances are provided. A method includes calculating an initial cycle time, and counting down from the initial cycle time for an initial countdown time. The method further includes determining, during the step of counting down from the initial cycle time for the initial countdown time, whether a load size value and an air flow value have been established. The method further includes calculating, when the load size value and the air flow value have been established, a first updated remaining cycle time based on the load size value and the air flow value.

A clothes dryer for drying fabric items in accordance with a treating cycle of operation, includes a treating chamber receiving fabric items for treatment and a controller having a memory in which is stored a set of executable instructions comprising at least one user-selectable cycle of operation, the controller may receive an indication of a dye transfer event and implement a cycle of operation based thereon.