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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
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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