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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
•Detergent or liquid fabric softener
did not dissolve or disperse.
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 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
residue.
•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 to
due to abrasion from normal
fabric)
wear.
Residue or powder
•Undissolved detergent.
on dark items;
•Some granular detergents can
Stiff, harsh fabrics.
combine with hard water minerals
to form a residue.
Wrinkling
•Overloading the washer.
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
rust stains
supply, 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 cannot be mended.
•Reduce load size. Rewash using correct
water temperature, water level, and
amount of detergent.
•Add nonprecipitating water conditioner
to wash water.
•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.
•Reduce load size.
•Add dissolved detergent to tub . Rewash
load.
•Mix 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar to 1
gallon (3.8 L) warm water in plastic
container. Soak item. Rinse and rewash.
•Reduce load size.
•Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric
softener.
•Soak in detergent booster or product
containing enzymes.
•Wash in hot water using 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.
8
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
•Add detergent before wash load. Then
start washer.
•Add fabric softener to dispenser
(available on some models).
•Dilute fabric softener with water.
•Sort items by soil level and color.
•Use correct amount of detergent, hottest
water and bleach safe for fabric.
•Use correct cycle, amount of detergent
and hottest water safe for fabric.
•Do not pour liquid fabric softener
directly on fabric. See package
directions or Washing Procedures for
proper diluting.
•Never pour chlorine bleach directly on
fabric.
•Check condition of items before washing.
See Washing Procedures for preparing
and loading the wash load.
•See Washing Procedures for sorting
and preparing the wash load.
•Do not overload washer.
•Use correct amount of detergent, water
temperature and water level.
•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 nonprecipitating
water conditioner with granular detergent.
•Do not overload washer.
•Remove items from washer as soon as
cycle is completed.
•Use liquid fabric softener.
•Wash synthetics frequently using water at
least 100°F (37°C ) and correct water
level.
•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 filter
in your water supply system.
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