CONTROL OF WASHING MACHINES USING COLOR SENSORS

A system, method, and computer-readable medium encoded with software for monitoring and controlling a bath liquid, such as the wash water in a clothes washing machine, using a light source to illuminate the wash water, a light sensor for receiving light transmitted through or reflected off of the wash water, a light color measurer, and a controller that takes a color bleed abatement action upon detection of excessive color in the bath liquid. The abatement actions may include halting or slowing agitation, halting or slowing tub movement, draining the wash water, filling the tub with fresh water, and alerting the user of a color bleed event. Color transfer inhibitors, color scavengers, or both, may be automatically introduced into the wash water to counter the color bleed action as well.