Common Washing Problems - Electrolux GOOD Service Manual

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
Blue stains • Undiluted liquid detergent or
fabric softener dispensed
directly onto fabric.
Discoloration, • Not enough detergent.
graying • Wash temperature too low.
• Incorrect sorting.
Greasy, oily • Not enough detergent.
stains • Undiluted liquid fabric softener
poured directly on fabric.
Holes, tears, • Incorrect use of chlorine bleach.
or snags • Unfastened zippers, hooks,
buckles.
• Rips, tears and broken threads.
• Overloading the washer.
• Degradation of fabric.
• Incorrect sorting.
Lint • 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.
Pilling • Pilling is normal with synthetic
(Fibers break and permanent press fabrics.
off, ball up and This is due to abrasion from
cling to fabric.) normal wear.
Residue or • Undissolved detergent.
powder on • Some nonphosphate granular
dark items; detergents can combine with
stiff, harsh hard water minerals to form a
fabrics. residue.
• Overloading the washer.
• Overloading the washer.
Wrinkling • Incorrect wash cycle for wash
load.
Yellow • Agitation time too short.
buildup of • Wash water temperature too
body soil on low.
synthetic • Not enough detergent.
fabrics
Yellow or • Iron or manganese in water
brown rust supply, water pipes, or water
stains heater.

COMMON WASHING PROBLEMS

SOLUTIONS
• If caused by detergent, mix 1 cup (240 ml)
white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L) water in
plastic container. Soak item 1 hour. Rinse.
• If caused by fabric softener, rub stains with
bar soap. Wash.
• Rewash with correct amount of detergent
and hottest water safe for fabric. Add
bleach safe for fabric.
• Treat with prewash stain remover or liquid
detergent.
• Increase detergent and water temperature.
Rewash.
• Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap.
• May be irreversible if rips, tears and seams
cannot be mended.
• 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.
• Use a lint brush or shaver to remove pills.
• Rewash load.
• Reduce load size.
• Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric
softener using the Perm Press or Delicate
cycle.
• 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 or treat with color remover.
• 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.
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PREVENTIVE MEASURES
• Avoid overfilling detergent and
fabric softener compartments of
dispenser.
• Sort items by soil level and color.
• Use correct amount of detergent,
hottest water and bleach safe for
fabric.
• Use correct amount of detergent
and hottest water safe for fabric.
• Do not pour liquid fabric softener
directly on fabric. See Washing
Procedures on adding softener.
• Never pour chlorine bleach
directly on fabric.
• Check condition of items before
washing. See Washing
Procedures for preparing, loading
and adding chlorine bleach.
• See Washing Procedures for
sorting and preparing the wash
load.
• 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/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 conditioner
with nonphosphate granular
detergent.
• Do not overload washer.
• Remove items from washer as
soon as cycle is completed.
• Use liquid fabric softener.
• Select correct wash cycle.
• Use correct amount of detergent.
• Wash synthetics frequently using
hot or warm water.
• Use nonprecipitating water
softener.
• Before washing, run hot water for
a few minutes to clear lines.
• Drain water heater occasional
•For an ongoing problem, install an
iron filter in your water supply
system.