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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
(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 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.
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