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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
SOLUTIONS
PREVENTIVE
MEASURES
Blue stains
,,Undiluted
liquid detergent or
,If caused by detergent,
mix 1 cup (240
,Avoid
overfilling detergent and fabric
fabric softener
dispensed directly
ml) white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L)
softener
compartments
of dispenser.
onto fabric,
water in a plastic container. Soak item 1
hour. Rinse.
• if caused by fabric softener, rub stains
with bar soap. Wash.
Discoloration,
,,Not enough detergent.
,Rewash with correct amount
of
,Sort items by soil level and color.
graying
',Wash water temperature
too low.
detergent and hottest water safe for
,Use correct amount of detergent,
hottest
Hncorrect
sorting,
fabric. Add bleach safe for fabric,
water and bleach safe for fabric.
Greasy,
oily
stains ,,Not enough detergent.
HJndiluted
liquid fabric softener
poured directly on fabric.
• Treat with prewash stain remover or
liquid detergent.
• increase detergent
and water
temperature.
Rewash.
• Rub fabric softener stains with
bar soap.
• Use correct
amount of detergent
and
hottest water safe for fabric.
• Do not pour liquid fabric softener directly on
fabric. See Washing Procedures for
directions on adding softener.
Holes,
tears,
or
snags
Lint
Pilling
(Fibers break off,
ball up and cling to
fabric.)
Residue
or
powder
on dark
items;
Stiff,
harsh
fabrics.
Wrinkling
Hncorrect
use of chlorine
bleach.
HJnfastened
zippers,
hooks,
buckles.
,,Rips, tears and broken
threads.
,,Overloading
the washer.
°Degradation
of fabric.
• May be irreversible if rips, tears and
seams cannot be mended.
• Never pour chlorine bleach directly on
fabric.
• Check condition
of items before washing.
See Washing
Procedures
for preparing
and loading the wash load and adding
chlorine
bleach.
,,Incorrect
sorting.
,,Tissues left in pocket.
,,Overloading
the washer.
,,Not
enough detergent.
HJndisso[ved detergent
has left
a residue resembling lint.
,,Static cling is attracting lint.
,,Load washed too long.
• Reduce load size. Rewash using correct
water temperature,
water [eve[, and
amount of detergent.
• Add
nonpredpitating
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.
• See Washing
Procedures
for sorting and
preparing the wash load.
• Do not overload washer.
• Use correct temperature
and amount of
detergent,
water and wash time.
*Pi[iing is normal with synthetic
and permanent
press fabrics.
This is due to abrasion from
normal wear.
• Use a lint brush or shaver to remove
pills.
• 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.
HJndissolved
detergent.
*Some granular detergents
can combine with hard
water minerals to form a
residue.
,,Overloading
the washer.
• Rewash load.
• Increase water temperature
using hottest
water safe for fabric.
• Do not overload washer.
• Use liquid detergent
or use nonprecipitating
water conditioner
with granular
detergent.
,,Overloading
the washer.
Hncorrect
wash cycle for wash
load.
• Reduce load size.
• Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric
softener using the Perm Press or Delicate
cycle.
• Do not overload washer.
• Remove items from washer as soon as
cycle is completed.
• Use liquid fabric softener.
Yellow
buildup
of
',Agitation
time too short.
body soil on
',Wash water temperature
too low.
synthetic
fabrics
,,Not enough detergent.
• Soak in detergent
booster or product
containing
enzymes.
• Wash in hot water using fuil permanent
press cycle. Increase detergent.
Add bleach safe for fabric.
• Or, treat with color remover.
• Select correct wash
cycle.
• Use correct amount
of detergent.
• Wash synthetics frequently
using hot or
warm water.
Yellow
or brown
rust
stains
,,iron or manganese in water
supply, water pipes, or water
heater.
• 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.
• 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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