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Many washing problems involve poor soil and stain removal, residues of lint and scum, and fabric damage. For satisfactory
washing results, follow these suggestions provided by The Soap and Detergent Association.
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSES SOLUTIONS PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Blue stains • Undiluted liquid detergent
or fabric softener dispensed
directly onto fabric.
• If caused by detergent, mix 1
cup (240 ml) white vinegar with
1 quart (.95 L) water in a plastic
container. Soak item 1 hour.
Rinse.
• If caused by fabric softener, rub
stains with bar soap. Wash.
• Avoid overfilling detergent and
fabric softener compartments of
dispenser.
Discoloration,
graying
• Not enough detergent.
• Wash water temperature
too low.
• Incorrect sorting.
• Rewash with correct amount of
detergent and hottest water safe
for fabric.
• Add bleach safe for fabric.
• Sort items by soil level and color.
• Use correct amount of detergent,
hottest water and bleach safe for
fabric.
Greasy, oily
stains
• Not enough detergent.
• Undiluted liquid fabric
softener poured directly on
fabric.
• Treat with prewash stain remover
or liquid detergent.
• Increase detergent and water
temperature. Rewash.
• Rub fabric softener stains with
bar soap.
• Use correct amount of detergent
and hottest water safe for fabric.
• Do not pour liquid fabric softener
directly on fabric. See Operating
Your Washer.
Holes, tears, or
snags
• Incorrect use of chlorine
bleach.
• Unfastened zippers, hooks,
buckles.
• Rips, tears and broken
threads.
• Overloading the washer.
• Degradation of fabric.
• May be irreversible if rips, tears
and seams cannot be mended.
• Never pour chlorine bleach directly
on fabric.
• Check condition of items before
washing. See Operating Your
Washer.
Lint • Incorrect sorting.
• Tissues left in pocket.
• Overloading the washer.
• Not enough detergent.
• Undissolved detergent has
left a residue resembling
lint.
• Static cling is attracting lint.
• Load washed too long.
• Reduce load size. Rewash using
correct water temperature, water
level, and amount of detergent.
• Add nonprecipitating water con-
ditioner to wash water to remove
detergent residue.
• Add liquid fabric softener to final
rinse.
• Dry load in dryer.
• Remove lint with lint brush or
roller.
• See Operating Your Washer.
• Do not overload washer.
• Use correct temperature and
amount of detergent, water and
wash time.
Pilling
(Fibers ball up
and cling to
fabric.)
• Pilling is normal with syn-
thetic and permanent press
fabrics. This is due to abra-
sion from normal wear.
• Use a lint brush or shaver to
remove pills.
• Use fabric softener in the washer
to lubricate fibers.
• When ironing, use spray starch or
fabric finish on collars and cuffs.
• Turn items inside out to reduce
abrasion.
Residue or
powder on dark
items;
Stiff, harsh
fabrics.
• Undissolved detergent.
• Some granular detergents
can combine with hard
water minerals to form a
residue.
• Overloading the washer.
• Rewash load. • Increase water temperature using
hottest water safe for fabric.
• Do not overload washer.
• Use liquid detergent or use non-
precipitating water conditioner with
powder detergent.
Common Washing Problems
Solutions to Common Problems