Abstract: Method for washing sportswear items in a traditional-type rotating-drum clothes washing machine, the method comprising at least a main wash phase, a rinse phase and a final spin-extraction phase, wherein a preliminary wash phase to be performed in cold water, without any detergent addition and under reduced mechanical agitation of the clothes is carried out in advance of the main wash phase. This preliminary wash phase is followed by a soil settling step with the machine at a standstill, and a subsequent water outlet step.

Abstract: A liquid fabric softener or treating liquid dispenser for a washing machine having a parabolic or egg-shaped body portion from which radially extends an annular rim portion. The rim portion rests upon a top surface of an agitator and is held in place thereon by a removable, resiliently press-fit cap. The rim portion has a series of bosses extending upwardly therefrom and a series of notched openings formed therein. The bosses space the cap member from the upper surface of the rim portion. During operation of the washing machine in a spin cycle, treating liquid within the body portion of the dispenser flows upwardly along an inner surface of the cup body, downwardly through the notched openings in the rim portion, and into a holding chamber provided within the hollow interior of the agitator.