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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 wash-
ing 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
• Not enough detergent.
stains
• 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 syn-
(Fibers ball up
thetic and permanent press
and cling to
fabrics. This is due to abra-
fabric.)
sion from normal wear.
Residue or
• Undissolved detergent.
powder on dark
• Some granular detergents
items;
can combine with hard
Stiff, harsh
water minerals to form a
fabrics.
residue.
• Overloading the washer.
Solutions to Common 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 cannot be mended.
• Reduce load size. Rewash using
correct water temperature, water
level, and amount of detergent.
• Add nonprecipitating water con-
ditioner 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.
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 Operating
Your Washer.
• Never pour chlorine bleach directly
on fabric.
• Check condition of items before
washing. See Operating Your
Washer.
• See Operating Your Washer.
• 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 non-
precipitating water conditioner with
powder detergent.
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