There is a recall on certain LG/Kenmore washing machines.  The corrective action LG has taken was to upgrade the program in the washing machine, applying a new caution sticker and a literature update.

The sticker and literature update effectively remove the ability of consumers to wash water-resistant material safely.  It also releases LG from any future liability from washer malfunction due to water-resistant material.  Since now washing such materials are consider user error.  According to LG's recall notice about 457,000 units are affected.  Now those 457,000 units have lost the ability to wash water resistant materials.

I have contacted LG several times by phone and email.  I have gotten several different spins on this issue:

1. If you are already washing water resistant material, and you don't see a problem then, there isn't a issue.  I asked LG CSR, if something goes wrong will LG be responsible?  CSR answers, NO!

2. Water Resistant = Water Proof.  Therefore the Literature update is only a reminder.

3. LG CSR states Owner's manual states water resistant material shouldn't be wash in washing machine.  I found the section with the help of the CSR, but it only states do not wash or spin water proof clothing.  LG CSR would not concede that my ORIGINAL owner's manual does not restrict washing of water resistant material.

4. I emailed LG the owner's manual page in question regarding water proof clothing.  LG CSR changed their stands and states that LG has the right to change function and exclude the water resistant material from being wash in the washing machine as per their website.  I was unable to get the CSR to bring me to the link which has this information.

Following are some revelent infomation from LG's website.

Link: http://www.lg.com/us/public-notices/general/lg-recalls-top-loading-washing-machines-due-to-risk-of-injury

 

Recall Summary  (partial for full summary follow link above)

Name of product: Top-Loading Washing Machines

Hazard: An unbalanced load can cause the washing machine to shake excessively and the drum to come loose during use, posing a risk of injury to consumers and property damage to the surrounding area.

Remedy: Repair

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact LG or Sears for a free in-home repair of the machine. Consumers will also receive supplemental information to be inserted into their owner’s manual and a new caution label to be placed on the washing machine. Consumers who have observed their recalled washing machine shaking excessively should immediately stop using it. Consumers should be aware that loading their machines with water-proof or water-resistant items, such as mattress pads, mattress covers and similar items, increases the chances of loads being unbalanced.

Liturature update states:

Do not wash or spin any item labeled or known to be water-proof or
water-resistant, even if the product care label on the item permits
machine washing. Failure to follow these instructions could result in
bodily injury, severe damage to your laundry, your washer and/or
property damage as a result of abnormal vibration of the washer.
Examples of water-proof or water-resistant items include certain
mattress pads, mattress covers, rain gear, camping gear, skiing apparel,
outdoor gear and similar items.

My Owner's Manual Section on water-proof plus 1 line before and after.

• Large items should not be more than half of the
total wash load.
• Do not wash or spin water proof clothes.
• Do not wash fabrics containing flammable
materials (waxes, cleaning fluids, etc.)

 Please sign this to help 457,000 consumers who are affected.