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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 bleach.
snags
•Unfastened
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 and
(Fibers break off,
permanent press fabrics. This is
ball up and cling
due to abrasion from normal wear.
to fabric.)
"Polka dots" (small
•Wash temperature too low.
circles of lint and
•Not enough detergent.
soil on load after
•Water is hard.
cycle ends)
•Incorrect sorting.
Residue or powder
•Undissolved detergent.
on dark items;
•Some nonphosphate granular
Stiff, harsh fabrics.
detergents 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 of
•Agitation time too short.
body soil on
•Wash water temperature too low.
synthetic fabrics
•Not enough detergent.
Yellow or brown
•Iron or manganese in water supply,
rust stains
water pipes, or water heater.
Common Washing Problems
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 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
zippers,
hooks,
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 in hottest water safe for fabrics.
•Use correct water temperature and amount
of detergent.
•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 using full permanent
press 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
discoloration.
•Avoid overfilling detergent and fabric softener
•Sort items by soil level and color.
•Use correct amount of detergent, hottest
•Use correct amount of detergent and hottest
•Do not pour liquid fabric softener directly
•Never pour chlorine bleach directly on fabric.
•Check condition of items before washing. See
•See Washing Procedures for sorting and
•Do not overload washer.
•Use correct temperature and amount of
•Use fabric softener in the washer to lubricate
•When ironing, use spray starch or fabric
•Turn items inside out to reduce abrasion.
•Use hottest water safe for fabric.
•Use correct water temperature and amount
•Use nonprecipitating water conditioner.
•Avoid overfilling detergent and fabric softener
•Increase water temperature using hottest
•Do not overload washer.
•Use liquid detergent or use nonprecipitating
•Do not overload washer.
•Remove items from washer as soon as cycle
•Use liquid fabric softener.
•Select correct wash cycle.
•Use correct amount of detergent.
•Wash synthetics frequently using hot or warm
•Use nonprecipitating water softener.
•Before washing, run hot water for a few
•Drain water heater occasionally.
•For an ongoing problem, install an iron filter in
8
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
compartments of dispenser.
water and bleach safe for fabric.
water safe for fabric.
on fabric. See Washing Procedures for
directions on adding softener.
Washing Procedures for preparing and
loading the wash load and adding chlorine
bleach.
preparing the wash load.
detergent, water and wash time.
fibers.
finish on collars and cuffs.
of detergent.
compartments of dispenser.
water safe for fabric.
water conditioner with nonphosphate granular
detergent.
is completed.
water.
minutes to clear lines.
your water supply system.
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