Washing method of washing machine

Abstract

Disclosed is a washing method a washing machine in which laundry is soaked effectively and conveniently. The washing method including the steps of: loading laundry into tub of the washing machine; supplying the tub with washing water such that water level increases step by step to a final level for a predetermined time period; repeatedly soaking the laundry for a predetermined time period within the washing water at the respective increased levels; and rotating the tub and a drum to wash the soaked laundry.

1 . A washing method of a washing machine, comprising the steps of: 
 loading laundry into a tub of the washing machine;    supplying the tub with washing water such that water level increases step by step to a final level for a predetermined time period;    repeatedly soaking the laundry for a predetermined time period within the washing water at the respective increased levels; and    rotating the tub and a drum to wash the soaked laundry.    
   
   
       2 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the supplying step and the soaking step are carried out discretely at predetermined time intervals.  
   
   
       3 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the supplying step and the soaking step are carried out alternatively.  
   
   
       4 . The washing method of  claim 3 , wherein the soaking step is carried out between the supplying steps in which different water levels are formed.  
   
   
       5 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein-the supplying step comprises a plurality of steps of respectively supplying the washing water at a plurality of different mid water levels obtained by dividing the final level.  
   
   
       6 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the soaking step comprises a plurality of steps of respectively soaking the laundry in the washing water of corresponding mid water levels after the respective supplying steps.  
   
   
       7 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the soaking step comprises a step of stopping or discretely rotating the tub and/or an agitator.  
   
   
       8 . The washing method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of rotating the tub and/or an agitator of the washing machine for a predetermined time period prior to performing the soaking step.  
   
   
       9 . The washing method of  claim 8 , wherein the tub and/or the agitator have/has a rotational speed which gradually increases in the subsequent rotating steps.  
   
   
       10 . The washing method of  claim 8 , wherein the tub and/or the agitator have/has a rotational speed which gradually increases in one of the rotating steps.  
   
   
       11 . The washing method of  claim 8 , wherein the tub or the agitator has a rotational speed lower than that of the washing step in the rotating steps.  
   
   
       12 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the final level is a level suitable for the washing.  
   
   
       13 . The washing method of  claim 1  or  5 , wherein the supplying step is performed three times.  
   
   
       14 . The washing method of  claim 13 , wherein the supplying step comprises the steps of: 
 first supplying the tub with the washing water to a first level;    after an elapse of a predetermined time, secondly supplying the tub with the washing water to a second level higher than the first level; and    thirdly supplying the tub with the washing water to the final level from the second level.    
   
   
       15 . The washing method of  claim 14 , wherein the detergent is supplied during the first supplying step or prior to the second supplying step.  
   
   
       16 . The washing method of  claim 14 , wherein the soaking step comprises the steps of: 
 first soaking the laundry in the washing water having the first level for a predetermined time period between the fist supplying step and the second supplying step; and    secondly soaking the laundry in the washing water having the second level for a predetermined time period between the second supplying step and the third supplying step.    
   
   
       17 . The washing method of  claim 16 , further comprising steps of: first rotating the tub and/or an agitator for a predetermined time period prior to the first soaking step; and secondly rotating the tub and/or the agitator for a predetermined time period prior to the second soaking step.  
   
   
       18 . The washing method of  claim 17 , wherein the tub and/or the agitator have/has a rotational speed higher in the first rotating step than that in the second rotating step.  
   
   
       19 . The washing method of  claim 17 , wherein the tub and/or the agitator have/has a rotational speed which gradually increases depending on an elapse of time in the first and second rotating steps.  
   
   
       20 . The washing method of  claim 17 , wherein the tub and/or the agitator have/has a rotational speed lower in the first and second rotating steps than that in the washing step.  
   
   
       21 . The washing method of  claim 16 , wherein during the first and second soaking steps, the tub/drum or the agitator is stopped or rotates discretely.  
   
   
       22 . The washing method of  claim 1 , wherein the soaking step is carried out selectively.  
   
   
       23 . The washing method of  claim 22 , wherein the soaking step is selected by once instruction being inputted to the washing machine.  
   
   
       24 . The washing method of  claim 23 , wherein the soaking step is selected by once pressing a corresponding button of a control panel of the washing machine.  
   
   
       25 . The washing method of  claim 22 , further comprising a step of, when the soaking step is not selected, supplying the tub with the washing machine to the final level prior to the washing step.  
   
   
       26 . The washing method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of determining whether or not to select the soaking step prior to the supplying step.  
   
   
       27 . The washing method of  claim 26 , wherein the determining step comprising steps of: 
 selecting a first washing mode that does not include the soaking step; and    selecting a second washing mode including at least the soaking step.    
   
   
       28 . The washing method of  claim 27 , wherein the first washing mode is an initial set mode.  
   
   
       29 . The washing method of  claim 27 , wherein the second washing mode is selected by once pressing a corresponding button of a control panel.  
   
   
       30 . The washing method of  claim 27 , further comprising a step of, when the first washing mode is selected, supplying the tub with the washing water to the final level prior to the washing step.  
   
   
       31 . The washing method of  claim 22 , further comprising a step of, when the soaking step is selected, informing a user of the selection of the soaking step until the whole washing cycle is ended.  
   
   
       32 . The washing method of  claim 31 , wherein the informing step comprises a step of turning on and off a specific LED of a control panel.  
   
   
       33 . The washing method of  claim 31 , wherein the informing step comprises a step of displaying a specific information on an LCD of a control panel.