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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 I cup (240 •Avoid overfilling detergent and fabric
fabric softener dispensed directly ml) white vinegar with t 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 soiI level and color.
graying •Wash water temperature too low. detergent and hottest water safe for * Use correct amount of detergent, hottest
• Incorrect sorting, fabrlo_ Add bleach safe for fabric, water and bleach safe for fabric.
Greasy, oily stains • Not enough detergent. • Treat with prewash stain remover or • Use correct amount of detergent and
• Undiluted liquid fabdc softener liquid detergent, hottest water safe for fabric.
poured directly on fabric. •Increase detergent and water • Do not pour liquid fabric softener
temperature. Rewash. directly on fabric. See Washing
•Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap. Procedures for directions on adding
softener,
Holes, tears, or •Incorrect use of chlorine bleach. *May be irreversible if dps, tears and • Never pour chlorine bleach directly on
snags • Unfastened zippers, hooks, seams cannot be mended, tabdc.
buckles. * Check condition of items before washing.
• Rips, tears and broken threads. See Washing Procedures for preparing
•Overloading the washer, and loading the wash load and adding
• Degradation of fabric, chledne bleach.
Lint • Incorrect sorting. • Reduce load size. Rawash using correct * See Washing Procedures for sorting and
•Tissues left in pocket, water temperature, water level, and preparing the wash toad.
• Overloading the washer, amount of detergent. •Do not overload washer.
• Not enough detergent. • Add nonprecipitating water conditioner •Use correct temperature and amount of
• Undissolved detergent has left to wash water to remove detergent detergent, water and wash time,
a residue resembling lint. residue.
• Static cling is attracting lint, • Add liquid fabdc softener to final rinse.
• Load washed too long. • Dry load in dryer.
• Remove lint with lint brush or roller,
r
Pilling
(Fibers break off.
ball up and cling to
fabric.)
•Pilling 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 tabdc 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.
Residue or
powder on dark
items;
Stiff, harsh
fabrics,
• Undissolved detergent.
• Some nonphosphate 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 nonphosphale
granular detergent.
Wrinkling • Overloading the washer.
• Incorrect 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 fabdc softener.
Yellow buildup of
body soll on
synthetic fabrics
Yellow or brown
rust stains
• Agitation time too short,
• Wash water temperature too low.
•Not enough detergent.
•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.
•Select correct wash cycle.
•Use correct amount of detergent.
•Wash synthetics frequently using hot or
warm water.
• Iron or manganese in water
supply, water pipes, or water
beaten
"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.
9
* 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.