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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 satisfactory 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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