Washer ripping clothes

[ppainter]

At different time I have had small throw rugs come out with the edge trim ripped off, also two pair of stretch pants where there are pull lines about five inches wide all the way across the pants

Model pav3200aww

[Repair-man]

Washing throw rugs in a household machine is not a good idea. It is a clothes washer. Rugs will abrade the agitator and also the top rim of the tub cover and damage them. Later, rough spots or cracks on agitator vanes can snag and abrade fabrics.

Inspect the base and flexible vanes on your agitator first, then take an old pair of pantyhose and slip them over your hand so you can rub the inner surfaces of the entire spin basket. If there is any rough spots that would rip your stretch pants, the panty hose will catch them.

[ppainter]

I checked that out and seems to be OK, Could it be the distance between the top and bottom part of the agitator. The top will lift about 1/2 inch , I checked the bolt and it is tight.

[Repair-man]

That would not do the damage you have presented.

Be sure when you wash things like  stretch pants that you always use the highest water level, even for a few items. This gives the clothes more room to tumble rather than be bashed against the bottom of the agitator. For that matter, it is better to keep the water level on the highest setting. If not, then next sign will be oily spots from a bad seal around the agitator shaft.

Watch as the unit agitates with a full tub to make sure the spin basket is not also turning. If the brake is not holding the tub still during agitation, clothing damage can occur.

[sparky823]

Do you think it is possible for the clothes to be catching under the edge of the agitator vane where it flexes between the base and the vane?

Also-I had some bath rugs from Sears that the trim started coming apart. Looked like it had been cut from the back and they were washed in a front load washer on Delicate and later Handwash. They were washed about 5 times then I carried them back, although I found out what was causing it--Downy liquid softener. That may sound hard to believe but it was destroying the backing.