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•Avoid overfilling detergent and fabric
softener compartments of dispenser.
•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 Washing
Procedures for directions on adding
softener.
•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.
•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.
•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.
•Use hottest water safe for fabric.
•Use correct water temperature and
amount of detergent.
•Use nonprecipitating water conditioner.
•Avoid overfilling detergent and fabric
softener compartments of dispenser.
•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.
•Select correct wash cycle.
•Use correct amount of detergent.
•Wash synthetics frequently using hot or
warm water.
•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
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 to remove detergent residue.
• 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.
•Rewash in hottest water safe for fabrics.
•Use correct water temperature and amount
of detergent.
•Rewash load.
•Reduce load size.
•Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric softener
using the Perm Press or Delicate cycle.
•Soak in detergent booster or product
containing enzymes.
•Wash in hot water (120°F/49°C) 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.
•Undiluted liquid detergent or fabric
softener dispensed directly onto
fabric.
•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 a
residue resembling lint.
•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.
•Wash temperature too low.
•Not enough detergent.
•Water is hard.
•Incorrect sorting.
•Undissolved detergent.
•Some nonphosphate granular
detergents can combine with hard
water minerals to form a residue.
•Overloading the washer.
•Overloading the washer.
•Incorrect wash cycle for wash load.
•Agitation time too short.
•Wash water temperature too low.
•Not enough detergent.
•Iron or manganese in water supply,
water pipes, or water heater.
Blue stains
Discoloration,
graying
Greasy, oily stains
Holes, tears, or
snags
Lint
Pilling
(Fibers break off,
ball up and cling to
fabric.)
"Polka dots" (small
circles of lint and soil
on load after cycle
ends)
Residue or powder
on dark items;
Stiff, harsh fabrics.
Wrinkling
Yellow buildup of
body soil on
synthetic fabrics
Yellow or brown
rust stains