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Common
Washing Problems
Manywashing problems involve poor soil and stain removal, residues of lint and scum, and fabric damage Forsatisfactorywashing
results, follow these suggestions provided by The Soap and Detergent Association
PROBLEM
POSSIBLE CAUSES
SOLUTIONS
Blue stains
• Detergent or liquid fabric softener
did not dissolve or disperse
• 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.
Discoloration,
graying
Greasy,
oily stains
• Not enough detergent.
• Wash water temperature too low.
• Incorrect sorting.
• Not enough detergent.
• Undiluted liquid fabric softener
poured directly on fabric.
• 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.
Holes, tears, or
snags
Lint
Pilling
(Fibers break off, ball
up and cling to
fabric)
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
Residue or powder
on dark items;
Stiff,
harsh fabrics.
Wrinkling
• Undissolved detergent.
• Some nonphosphate granular
detergents can combine with hard
water minerals to form a residue.
• 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.
• Overloading the washer.
• Reduce load size.
• Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric
softener.
Yellow
buildup
of
body soil on
synthetic
fabrics
Yellow
or brown
rust stains
• Agitation time too short.
• Wash water temperature too low.
• 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.
• 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.
PREVENTIVE
MEASURES
• Add detergent
before wash load. Then start
washer.
• 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
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.
8
• Drain water heater occasionally.
• For an ongoing problem, install an iron filter
in your water supply system.
ill : _ii
ill :_i
ill :
• Use fabric softener in the washer to lubricab
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 nonphosphate
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.
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