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Common Washing Problems
Many washing problems involve poor soiland stain removal, residues of lint and scum, and fabric damage. Forsatisfactory washing
results, follow these suggestions provided by The Soap and Detergent Association.
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSES SOLUTIONS
Blue stains ,Detergent or liquid fabric softener
did not dissolve or disperse.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
• Add detergent before wash load. Then
start washer.
• 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.
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 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 package
• Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap. directions or Washing Procedures for
proper diluting.
Holes, tears, or
snags
Lint
Pilling
(Fibers break off,
ball up and cling to
fabric)
• Dilute fabric softener with water.
• 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 directly on
fabric.
• Check condition of items before washing.
See Washing Procedures for preparing
and loading the wash load.
• Incorrect sorting.
• Tissues left in pocket.
• Overloading the washer.
• Not enough detergent.
• Undissolved detergent has left
residue.
• 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 conditioner
to wash water.
• 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 amount of detergent, water
temperature and water level.
• 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
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.
• Reduce load size.
• 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 nonprecipitating
water conditioner with nonphosphate
granular detergent.
Wrinkling
• Overloading 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°F/49°C) using full
permanent press cycle. Increase
detergent. Add bleach safe for fabric.
• Or, treat with color remover.
•Wash synthetics frequently using water at
least 100% (37°C) and correct water
level.
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.
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