this invention relates a control for an automatic washer incorporating a spray pretreatment or stain care cycle . in order to manage the occurrence of the condition of suds lock , the state of the washing machine related to the suds lock condition during spray pretreatment is determined by one or more of a number of methods . with this information concerning the state of the spray pretreatment process , the occurrence of suds lock can be ascertained and the cycle can be controlled accordingly to minimize negative effects resulting from a prolonged suds lock condition . additionally , with certain information related to the occurrence of suds lock , steps can be taken during the spray pretreatment portion of the cycle to avoid the condition of suds lock altogether . using the same primary process for measuring suds lock , load size can also be ascertained . information about load size can be used to control the wash cycle .