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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 satisfactorywasMng
results, follow these suggestions provided by The Soap and Detergent Association.
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSES SOLUTIONS PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Blue stains ,Detergent or liquid fabdc softener ,If caused by detergent, mix 1 cup (240 ,Add detergent befole wash load. Then
did not dissolve or disperse, ml) white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L) start washer.
water in a plastic containe_. Soak item 1
hour. Rinse. ,Dilute fabric softener with water.
• If caused by fabric softener, lub stah/s
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
• Incorrect sorting, fabric. 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 fabric softener liquid detelgent, 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 package
• Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap. directions or Washing Procedures for
proper diluting.
Holes. tears, or ,Incorrect use of chlorine bleach. ,May be irreversible if rips. tears and
snags ,Unfastened zippers, hooks, seams cannot be mended. ,Never pour chlodne bleach directly on
buckles, fabric.
• Rips. tears and broken threads. ,Check condition of items before washing.
• Overloading the washer. See Washing Procedures for preparing
,Degradation of fabric, and loading the wash load.
Lint ,incorrect sorting. ,Reduce load size. Rewash using correct ,See Washing Procedures for sorting
,Tissues left in pocket, water temperature, water level, and and preparing the wash load.
• Overloading the washer, amount of detergent. ,Do not overload washer.
• Not enough detergent. ,Add nonprecipitating water conditioner ,Use correct amount of detergent, water
,Undissolved detergent has left to wash water, temperatule and water level.
lesidue. ,Add liquid fabric softener to final rinse.
• Static cling is attlacting lint. ,Dry load in dryer.
,Load washed too Iollg. ,Remove lint with lint brush or roller.
Pifling
(Fibersbreak 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 fabric softener in the washer to
lubricate fibers.
,When ironing, use spray starch or fabric
fhlish on collars a_ld 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.
• Reduce load s_ze.
,Add dissolved detergent to tub . Rewash
load.
• Mix 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar to 1
gallon (3.8 L) warm water in plastic
container. Soak item. Rinse and rewash.
,Increase water temperature using hottest
water safe for fabric.
,Do not overload washer.
,Use liquid detergent or use nonpredpitating
water conditioner with nonphosphate
granular detergent.
Wrinkling
,Overloadhlg the washer.
,Reduce load size.
• Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric
softener.
,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 (120%/49°0 using full
permanent p_ess cycle. Increase
detergent. Add bleach safe for fabric.
• Or. treat with color remover.
,Wash synthetics frequently using water at
least 100% (37°C) a_d correct water
level.
Yellow or brown
rust stah_s
,Iron or manganese in water
supply, water pipes, or water
heater.
,To restore discolored bad of whites, use ,Use nonprecipitating water softener.
rust remover safe for fabric. ,Before washing, run hot water for a few
Do not use chlorine bleach to remove minutes to clear lines.
rust stains. It may intensify ,Drain water heater occasionally.
discoloration. ,For an ongoing problem, install an iron filter
En your water supply system.