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Common Washing Problems
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 ,If caused by detergent, mix 1 cup (240 ,Avoid overfilling detergent and fabric
fabric softener dispensed directly ml) white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L) softener compartments of dispenser.
onto fabric, water in a plastic container. Soak item 1
hour. Rinse.
• if caused by fabric softener, rub stains
with bar soap. Wash.
Discoloration, ,,Not enough detergent. ,Rewash with correct amount of ,Sort items by soil level and color.
graying ',Wash water temperature too low. detergent and hottest water safe for ,Use correct amount of detergent, hottest
Hncorrect sorting, fabric. Add bleach safe for fabric, water and bleach safe for fabric.
Greasy, oily stains ,,Not enough detergent.
HJndiluted 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 Washing Procedures for
directions on adding softener.
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
Hncorrect use of chlorine bleach.
HJnfastened 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 Washing Procedures for preparing
and loading the wash load and adding
chlorine bleach.
,,Incorrect sorting.
,,Tissues left in pocket.
,,Overloading the washer.
,,Not enough detergent.
HJndisso[ved 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 [eve[, and
amount of detergent.
•Add nonpredpitating water conditioner
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 Washing Procedures for sorting and
preparing the wash load.
• Do not overload washer.
• Use correct temperature and amount of
detergent, water and wash time.
*Pi[iing is normal with synthetic
and permanent press fabrics.
This is due to abrasion 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.
HJndisso[ved 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
granular detergent.
,,Overloading the washer.
Hncorrect wash cycle for wash
load.
•Reduce load size.
•Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric
softener using the Perm Press or Delicate
cycle.
• Do not overload washer.
• Remove items from washer as soon as
cycle is completed.
• Use liquid fabric softener.
Yellow buildup of ',Agitation time too short.
body soil on ',Wash water temperature too low.
synthetic fabrics ,,Not enough detergent.
•Soak in detergent booster or product
containing enzymes.
•Wash in hot water using fuji permanent
press 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 occasionally.
• For an ongoing problem, install an iron filter
in your water supply system.