Laundry treating appliance with method to increase chemical action

Abstract

A laundry treating appliance and method for increasing chemical action in a load of laundry associated with the supplying water and treating chemistry to the load of laundry.

1 . A method of operating a laundry treating appliance comprising a tub, and a drum, located within the tub and forming a treating chamber for holding laundry for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation, the method comprising:
 forming water paths through the laundry by applying water to the top of the laundry and letting the water travel through the laundry to the tub;   after the forming of the water paths, applying a first detergent solution to the top of the laundry and letting at least some of the first detergent solution follow the water paths to replace the water, with at least some of the replaced water and the first detergent solution forming a first mixture in the tub;   forming a second detergent solution from at least some of the first mixture, with the second detergent solution forming a concentration less than the first detergent solution; and   applying the second detergent solution to the top of the laundry and letting at least some of the second detergent solution follow the water paths to replace the first detergent solution.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the forming water paths comprises moving the laundry at least one of during or after the applying of the water. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the forming water paths further comprises applying a volume of water sufficient to saturate the laundry. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the forming water paths further comprises recirculating the water that travels to the tub back onto the top of the laundry. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the applying a first detergent solution comprises recirculating the mixture onto the top of the laundry. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the applying the first detergent solution comprises moving the laundry at least one of during or after the applying of the first detergent solution. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the applying the first detergent solution comprises forming the first detergent solution in the tub and recirculating the first detergent solution onto the top of the laundry. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein forming the first detergent solution comprises supplying water through a detergent dispenser to the tub. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the volume of water supplied during the forming of the water paths is greater than the volume of water supplied during the forming of the first detergent solution. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising letting the laundry with the second detergent solution soak for a predetermined time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the volume of the second detergent solution is sufficient such that during the soaking at least some of the second detergent solution travels through the laundry and into the tub. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising recirculating the at least some of the second detergent solution onto the laundry during the soaking. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a main wash phase after applying the second detergent solution. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the main wash phase comprises supplying water to the tub in an amount to at least partially submerge the laundry to form a wash liquid and agitating the laundry in the wash liquid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a rinse phase comprising draining the wash liquid from the tub and supplying rinse water to the laundry. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising an extraction phase comprising draining the rinse water from the tub and rotating the drum to centrifugally remove rinse water in the laundry. 
     
     
         17 . A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation, comprising:
 an imperforate tub defining an interior;   a perforated drum located within the interior and defining a treating chamber for receiving the laundry, with the drum being rotatable about an axis of rotation;   a motor operably coupled to the drum to rotate the drum about the axis of rotation;   a water supply comprising a first water conduit fluidly coupled to the tub and a valve assembly selectively controlling the flow of water through the first water conduit;   a detergent dispenser fluidly coupled to the first water conduit;   a recirculation system having a pump for recirculating liquid from the tub into a top portion of the drum; and   a controller selectively controlling the motor, valve assembly, and pump according to a cycle of operation to form water paths through the laundry by applying water to the top of the laundry and letting the water travel through the laundry, after the forming of the water paths, applying a first detergent solution to the top of the laundry and letting at least some of the first detergent solution follow the water paths to replace the water, with at least some of the replaced water and the first detergent solution forming a first mixture in the tub, forming a second detergent solution from at least some of the first mixture, with the second detergent solution forming a concentration less than the first detergent solution, and applying the second detergent solution to the top of the laundry and letting at least some of the second detergent solution follow the water paths to replace the first detergent solution.   
     
     
         18 . The laundry treating appliance of  claim 17  wherein the axis of rotation is substantially a vertical axis of rotation. 
     
     
         19 . The laundry treating appliance of  claim 18  wherein the drum has an open top and the recirculation systems supplies liquid into the open top. 
     
     
         20 . The laundry treating appliance of  claim 19  wherein the water supply comprises a second water conduit fluidly coupled to the open top of the drum and the valve assembly selectively controls the flow of water through the second water conduit.