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SOLUTIONS TO COMMON PROBLEMS
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSES SOLUTIONS PREVENTIVE MEASURES
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 col-
lars 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 nonprecipitating water
conditioner with powder
detergent.
Wrinkling • Overloading the washer.
• Incorrect wash cycle for
wash load.
• Reduce load size.
• Rinse in cold water with liq-
uid fabric softener using the
casual or delicate cycle.
• Do not overload washer.
• Remove items from washer
as soon as cycle is com-
pleted.
• Use liquid fabric softener.
Yellow buildup
of body soil on
synthetic fabrics
• Agitation time too short.
• Wash water temperature
too low.
• Not enough detergent.
• Soak in detergent booster
or product containing en-
zymes.
• Wash in hottest water safe
for fabric using casual cycle.
• Increase detergent.
• Add bleach safe for fabric or
treat with color remover.
• Select correct wash cycle.
• Use correct amount of
detergent.
• Wash synthetics frequently
using hot or warm water.
Yellow or brown
rust stains
• Iron or manganese in water
supply, water pipes, or
water heater.
• 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.
• Use nonprecipitating water
softener.
• Before washing, run hot
water for a few minutes to
clear lines.
• Drain water heater occa-
sionally.
• For an ongoing problem,
install an iron fi lter in your
water supply system.
Common Washing Problems, continued