Washing machine appliances and methods for washing articles therein

Abstract

Washing machine appliances and methods for washing articles in washing machine appliances are provided. A method includes flowing a warm water volume into a tub, and performing a first agitation cycle after flowing the warm water volume into the tub. The method further includes flowing a hot water volume into the tub, and performing a second agitation cycle after flowing the hot water volume into the tub and after an additive has been added to the tub. The method further includes draining water from the tub after performing the second agitation cycle, and flowing a cold water volume into the tub after draining the water from the tub. The method further includes draining water from the tub after flowing the cold water volume into the tub, and performing an extraction cycle after flowing the cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for washing articles in a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance having a drum positioned within a tub, the drum defining a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing, the method comprising:
 flowing a warm water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level;   performing a first agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the warm water volume into the tub and after a detergent has been added to the tub;   flowing a hot water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level;   performing a second agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the hot water volume into the tub and after an additive has been added to the tub;   draining water from the tub after performing the second agitation cycle;   flowing a cold water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level after draining the water from the tub;   draining water from the tub after flowing the cold water volume into the tub; and   performing an extraction cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hot water volume is the only water volume flowed at a hot temperature into the tub. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing the first agitation cycle comprises rotating the drum in the first agitation cycle, wherein performing the second agitation cycle comprises rotating the drum in the second agitation cycle, and wherein performing the extraction cycle comprises rotating the drum in the extraction cycle. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the warm water volume is at a temperature of between approximately 70 and approximately 105 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hot water volume is at a temperature of between approximately 110 and approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined time period for performing the first agitation cycle is between approximately 15 and approximately 30 minutes, and wherein the predetermined time period for performing the second agitation cycle is between approximately 15 and approximately 30 minutes. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cold water volume is at a temperature of between approximately 50 and approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 flowing a cold water volume into the tub after performing the second agitation cycle and before draining the water; and   performing a third agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the cold water volume into the tub and before draining the water.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined time period for performing the third agitation cycle is between approximately 5 and approximately 15 minutes. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 flowing a subsequent cold water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level after performing the extraction cycle;   draining water from the tub after flowing the subsequent cold water volume into the tub; and   performing a subsequent extraction cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the subsequent cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additive comprises an oxidizing agent. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the oxidizing agent is greater than or equal to 0.3 grams per liter of wash fluid within the tub. 
     
     
         13 . A method for washing articles in a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance having a drum positioned within a tub, the drum defining a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing, the method comprising:
 flowing a warm water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level, wherein the warm water volume is at a temperature of between approximately 70 and approximately 105 degrees Fahrenheit;   performing a first agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the warm water volume into the tub and after a detergent has been added to the tub;   flowing a hot water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level, wherein the hot water volume is at a temperature of between approximately 110 and approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit and is the only water volume flowed at a hot temperature into the tub;   performing a second agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the hot water volume into the tub and after a detergent and an additive have been added to the tub, the additive comprising an oxidizing agent;   flowing a cold water volume into the tub after performing the second agitation cycle, wherein the cold water volume is at a temperature of between approximately 50 and approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit;   performing a third agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the cold water volume into the tub;   draining water from the tub after performing the third agitation cycle;   flowing a cold water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level after draining the water from the tub;   draining water from the tub after flowing the cold water volume into the tub; and   performing an extraction cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein performing the first agitation cycle comprises rotating the drum in the first agitation cycle, wherein performing the second agitation cycle comprises rotating the drum in the second agitation cycle, wherein performing the third agitation cycle comprises rotating the drum in the third agitation cycle, and wherein performing the extraction cycle comprises rotating the drum in the extraction cycle. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined time period for performing the first agitation cycle is between approximately 15 and approximately 30 minutes, and wherein the predetermined time period for performing the second agitation cycle is between approximately 15 and approximately 30 minutes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined time period for performing the third agitation cycle is between approximately 5 and approximately 15 minutes. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 flowing a subsequent cold water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level after performing the extraction cycle;   draining water from the tub after flowing the subsequent cold water volume into the tub; and   performing a subsequent extraction cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the subsequent cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the oxidizing agent is greater than or equal to 0.3 grams per liter of wash fluid within the tub. 
     
     
         19 . A washing machine appliance, comprising:
 a cabinet;   a tub positioned within the cabinet;   a drum rotatably mounted within the tub, the drum defining a chamber for receipt of items for washing;   a motor in mechanical communication with the drum in order to selectively rotate the drum; and   a controller in communication with the motor and the water inlet, the controller configured for:
 flowing a warm water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level; 
 performing a first agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the warm water volume into the tub and after a detergent has been added to the tub; 
 flowing a hot water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level; 
 performing a second agitation cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the hot water volume into the tub and after an additive has been added to the tub; 
 draining water from the tub after performing the second agitation cycle; 
 flowing a cold water volume into the tub to a predetermined fill level after draining the water from the tub; 
 draining water from the tub after flowing the cold water volume into the tub; and 
 performing an extraction cycle for a predetermined time period after flowing the cold water volume into the tub and draining the water from the tub. 
   
     
     
         20 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 19 , wherein the hot water volume is the only water volume flowed at a hot temperature into the tub.