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Many washing problems involve poor soil and stain removal, residues of lint and scum, and fabric damage. For satisfac-
tory 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 overfi lling 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, hot-
test 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,
step 5.
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, steps
2 and 5.
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
fi nal rinse.
• Dry load in dryer.
• Remove lint with lint brush or
roller.
• See Operating Your, steps 1 and 2.
• 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 fi bers.
• When ironing, use spray starch or
fabric fi nish 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