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Blue stains
Discoloration,
graying
Greasy, oily stains
Holes, tears, or
snags
Lint
Pilling
(Fibers break off,
ball up and cling to
fabric)
Residue or powder
on dark items;
Stiff, harsh fabrics.
Wrinkling
Yellow buildup of
body soil on
synthetic fabrics
Yellow or brown
rust stains
SOLUTIONS
PROBLEM PREVENTIVE MEASURES
•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.
•Rewash with correct amount of
detergent and hottest water safe for
fabric. Add bleach safe for fabric.
•Treat with prewash stain remover or
liquid detergent.
•Increase detergent and water
temperature. Rewash.
•Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap.
•May be irreversible if rips, tears and
seams cannot be mended.
•Reduce load size. Rewash using correct
water temperature, water level, and
amount of detergent.
•Add nonprecipitating water conditioner
to wash water.
•Add liquid fabric softener to final rinse.
•Dry load in dryer.
•Remove lint with lint brush or roller.
•Use a lint brush or shaver to remove
pills.
•Reduce load size.
•Add dissolved detergent to tub . Rewash
load.
•Mix 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar to 1
gallon (3.8 L) warm water in plastic
container. Soak item. Rinse and rewash.
•Reduce load size.
•Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric
softener.
•Soak in detergent booster or product
containing enzymes.
•Wash in hot water using full permanent
press cycle. Increase detergent.
•Add bleach safe for fabric or, treat with
color remover.
•To restore discolored load of whites, use
rust remover safe for fabric.
Do not use chlorine bleach to remove
rust stains. It may intensify
discoloration.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
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.
•Detergent or liquid fabric softener
did not dissolve or disperse.
•Not enough detergent.
•Wash water temperature too
low.
•Incorrect sorting.
•Not enough detergent.
•Undiluted liquid fabric softener
poured directly on fabric.
•Incorrect use of chlorine bleach.
•Unfastened zippers, hooks,
buckles.
•Rips, tears and broken threads.
•Overloading the washer.
•Degradation of fabric.
•Incorrect sorting.
•Tissues left in pocket.
•Overloading the washer.
•Not enough detergent.
•Undissolved detergent has left
residue.
•Static cling is attracting lint.
•Load washed too long
•Pilling is normal with synthetic and
permanent press fabrics. This is
due to abrasion from normal
wear.
•Undissolved detergent.
•Some nonphosphate granular
detergents can combine with
hard water minerals to form a
residue.
•Overloading the washer.
•Agitation time too short.
•Wash water temperature too
low.
•Not enough detergent.
•Iron or manganese in water
supply, water pipes, or water
heater.
•Add detergent before wash load. Then
start washer.
•Add fabric softener to dispenser (available
on some models).
•Dilute fabric softener with water.
•Sort items by soil level and color.
•Use correct amount of detergent, hottest
water and bleach safe for fabric
•Use correct amount of detergent and
hottest water safe for fabric.
•Do not pour liquid fabric softener
directly on fabric. See package directions
or Washing Procedures for proper
diluting.
•Never pour chlorine bleach directly on
fabric.
•Check condition of items before washing.
See Washing Procedures for preparing
and loading the wash load.
•See Washing Procedures for sorting and
preparing the wash load.
•Do not overload washer.
•Use correct amount of detergent, water
temperature and water level.
•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.
•Increase water temperature using hottest
water safe for fabric.
•Do not overload washer.
•Use liquid detergent or use
nonprecipitating water conditioner with
nonphosphate granular detergent.
•Do not overload washer.
•Remove items from washer as soon as
cycle is completed.
•Use liquid fabric softener.
•Wash synthetics frequently hot water
and correct water level.
•Use nonprecipitating water softener.
•Before washing, run hot water for a few
minutes to clear lines.
•Drain water heater occasionally.
•For an ongoing problem, install an iron
filter in your water supply system.
Common Washing Problems