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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 soRener
dispensed directly
ml) white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L)
soRener
compartments
of dispenser.
onto fabric,
water in a plastic container. Soak item 1
hour.
Rinse.
• If caused by fabric soRener, rub stains
with
bar soap. Wash.
Discoloration,
graying
• Not enough detergent.
• Rewash with correct amount of
• Wash water temperature
too low.
detergent and hottest water safe for
• Incorrect
sorting,
fabric. Add bleach safe for fabric.
• Sort items by soil level and color.
• Use correct amount of detergent,
hottest
water and bleach safe for fabric.
Greasy,
oily stains.
Not enough detergent.
• Undiluted
liquid fabric softener
poured directly on fabric.
• Treat
with
prewash
stain
remover
or
liquid
detergent.
• Increase
detergent
and
water
temperature.
Rewash.
• Rub fabric
soRener
stains
with
bar
soap.
• Use correct
amount of detergent and
hottest water safe for fabric.
•Do not pour liquid fabric soRener directly on
fabric. See Washing Procedures for
directions on adding soRener.
Holes, tears,
or
snags
Lint
Pil/ing
(Fibers break off,
ball up and cling to
fabric.)
Residue
or
powder
on dark
items;
Stiff, harsh
fabrics.
Wrinkling
• Incorrect use of chlorine bleach.
• Unfastened
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.
• Undissolved detergent
has leR
a residue resembling lint.
• Static cling is attracting
lint.
• Load washed too long.
• 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 soRener 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.
• Pilling 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.
• Undissolved
detergent.
• Some nonphosphate
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 nonphosphate
granular detergent.
• Overloading
the washer.
• Incorrect wash cycle for wash
load.
• Reduce load size.
• Rinse in cold water with liquid Fabric
soRener using the Perm Press or Delicate
cycle.
• Do not overload washer.
• Remove items From washer as soon as
cycle is completed.
• Use liquid fabric soRener.
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 (120°F/49°C) using full
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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