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Solutions to Common Problems
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 deter-•
gent and hottest water safe for fabric.
Add bleach safe for fabric.•
Sort items by soil level and color. •
Use correct amount of detergent, •
hottest 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 tem-•
perature. 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 Washer, 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 di-•
rectly on fabric.
Check condition of items before •
washing. See Operating Your
Washer, 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 condition-•
er 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 Washer, 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 cuff s.
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 nonpre-•
cipitating water conditioner with
powder detergent.
Wrinkling Overloading the washer.•
Incorrect wash cycle for •
wash load.
Reduce load size.•
Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric •
softener using the casual or delicate
cycle.
Do not overload washer.•
Remove items from washer as soon •
as cycle is completed.
Use liquid fabric softener.•
Common Washing Problems