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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 satisfac-
tory
washing results,
follow these
suggestions provided by The Soap and Detergent
Association.
PROBLEM
POSSBLE CAUSES
SOLUTIONS
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Blue stains
o
Discoloration,
graying
Greasy, oily
stains
Undiluted liquid detergent or
fabric softener dispensed directly
onto fabric.
Not enough detergent.
Wash water temperature too low.
Incorrect sorting.
Not enough detergent.
Undiluted liquid fabric softener
poured directly on 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.
Rewash with correct amount of deter-
gent and hottest water safe for fabric.
Add bleach safe for fabric.
Treat with prewash stain remover or
liquid detergent.
Increase detergent and water tempera-
ture. Rewash.
Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap.
Avoid overfilling detergent and
fabric softener compartments
of dispenser.
Sort items by soil level and
color.
Use correct amount of deter-
gent, hottest water and bleach
safe for fabric.
Use correct amount of deter-
gent and hottest water safe for
fabric.
Do not pour liquid fabric
softener directly on fabric. See
,
1
L
Operating Your, step 5.
Holes, tears, or
_
_ May be irreversible if rips, tears and
_ Never pour chlorine bleach
snags
o
seams cannot be mended,
directly on fabric.
Lint
Pilling
(Fibers ball up
and cling to
fabric.)
Residue or
powder on dark
items;
Stiff, harsh
fabrics.
Wrinkling
e
e
e
e
e
e
e
e
Incorrect use of chlorine bleach.
Unfastened zippers, hooks, buck-
les.
Rips,tears and broken threads.
Overloading the washer.
Degradation of fabric.
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.
tt
Pilling is normal with synthetic and
permanent press fabrics. This is
due to abrasion from normal wear.
Undissolved detergent.
Reduce load size. Rewash using correct
water temperature, water level, and
amount of detergent.
Add nonprecipitating
water conditioner
to wash water to remove detergent
residue.
Add liquid fabric softener to final rinse.
Dry load in dryer.
Remove lint with lint brush or roller.
Some granular detergents can
combine with hard water minerals
to form a residue.
Overloading the washer.
Overloading the washer.
Incorrect wash cycle for wash
load.
Use a lint brush or shaver to remove pills.
Rewash load.
Reduce load size.
, Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric
softener using the casual or delicate
cycle.
_,
Check condition of items
before washing. See Operating
Your, steps 2 and 5.
See Operating Your, steps 1
and 2.
Do not overload washer.
Use correct temperature and
amount of detergent, water
and wash time.
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.
Increase water temperature
using hottest water safe for
fabric.
Do not overload washer.
Use liquid detergent or use
nonprecipitating
water condi-
tioner with powder detergent.
Do not overload washer.
Remove items from washer as
soon as cycle is completed.
Use liquid fabric softener.
16
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