An improved
washer (10, 210, 710) having a quick fill (32, 34) and a quick drain (36, 38) with reduced overall wash time is provided. Means are provided for doing a very cold wash to permit
machine washing of fine clothing that heretofore was hand washed or dry cleaned. The
washer (10, 210, 710) can be provided with one (30), two (224, 230) or three tanks (750A, B & C, 950A, B & C) for water at three temperatures, very cold (refrigerated), tap or city
water supply temperature, or hot water. The very cold can be made by a
refrigeration or chilling means (62, 64, 98), located in or adjacent the very cold water tank. The hot water can be provided from or have a heater (230, 320, 750C, 950C) therein one of the tanks. The
washer also includes an improved embossed basket (600) with increased surface area. The features can be built into a new washer or retrofitted into an existing washer. Very cold water wash and rinse can be provided so that cloths, and particularly clothes such as made of
wool, rayon, acetate or other clothes, such as leathers or furs, usually dry cleaned or hand washed, can be
machine washed with the present invention without use of hazardous chemicals or shrinkage.