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SOLUTIONS TO COMMON WASHING INQUIRIES
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 water temperature
too low.
• Incorrect sorting.
Greasy, oily stains
• Not enough detergent.
• Undiluted liquid fabric
softener poured directly on
fabric.
Holes, tears, or
• Incorrect use of chlorine
snags
bleach.
• Unfastened zippers, hooks,
buckles.
• Rips, tears and broken threads.
• Overloading the washer.
• Degradation of fabric.
Lint
• 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.
Pilling
• Pilling is normal with synthetic
(Fibers ball up and
and permanent press fabrics.
cling to fabric.)
This is due to abrasion from
normal wear.
Residue or powder
• Undissolved detergent.
on dark items;
• Some granular detergents
Stiff, harsh fabrics.
can combine with hard water
minerals to form a residue.
• Overloading the washer.
Wrinkling
• Overloading the washer.
• Incorrect wash cycle for
wash load.
Yellow buildup
• Agitation time too short.
of body soil on
• Wash water temperature
synthetic fabrics
too low.
• Not enough detergent.
Yellow or brown rust
• Iron or manganese in water
stains
supply, water pipes, or water
heater.
16
SOLUTIONS
• 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.
• 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 fi nal 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 casual or delicate
cycle.
• Soak in detergent booster or product
containing enzymes.
• Wash in hottest water safe for fabric
using casual cycle.
• Increase detergent.
• Add bleach safe for fabric 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 discolor-
ation.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
• Add detergent to empty tub. Do not pour
on dry load.
• Avoid overfi lling fabric softener compart-
ment 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 Operating Your, step 5.
• Never pour chlorine bleach directly on
fabric.
• Check condition of items before washing.
See Operating Your, steps 2 and 5.
• See Washing Procedures, 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 fi bers.
• When ironing, use spray starch or fabric
fi nish 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 nonprec-
ipitating water conditioner with powder
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 occasionally.
• For an ongoing problem, install an iron
fi lter in your water supply system.
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