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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
Discoloration,
graying
Greasy, oily
stains
Holes, tears, or
snags
Lint
Pilling
(Fibers ball up
and cling to
fabric.)
Residue or
powder on dark
items;
Stiff, harsh
fabrics,
Wrinkling
Yellow buildup
of body soil on
synthetic fabrics
Yellow or brown
rust stains
• Undiluted
liquid detergent
• If caused by detergent,
mix 1 cup (240
or fabric softener
dispensed
directly
onto fabric.
• Not enough detergent.
• Wash water temperature too
lOW,
• Incorrect sorting,
• Not enough detergent.
• Undiluted liquid fabric soft-
ener poured directly on fabric.
•
• Incorrect use of chlorine
bleach.
• Unfastened zippers, hooks,
buckles.
• Rips, tears and broken threads.
• Overloading the washer.
• Degradation of fabric.
• 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 is normal with synthetic
•
and permanent press fabrics.
This is due to abrasion from
normal wear.
• Undissolved detergent.
Some granular detergents
can combine with hard water
minerals to form a residue.
Overloading the washer.
• Overloading the washer.
Incorrect wash cycle for wash
load.
• Agitation time too short.
Wash water temperature too
lOW,
Not enough detergent,
• Iron or manganese in water
•
supply, water pipes, or water
heater.
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 deter-
gent and hottest water safe for fabric.
Add bleach safe for fabric.
Treat with prewash stain remover or
liquid detergent.
Increase detergent and water tempera-
ture. 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 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.
• Add detergent to empty tub. Do not
pour on dry load.
Avoid overfilling fabric softener
compartment of dispenser.
o
o
o
o
Sort items by soil level and color.
Use correct amount of detergent,
hottest water and bleach safe for
fabric.
Rewash load.
Reduce load size.
Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric
softener using the casual or delicate
cycle.
Soak in detergent booster or product
containing enzymes.
Wash in hottest water safe for fabric us-
ing casual 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 discolor-
ation.
Use correct amount of detergent
and hottest water safe for fabric.
Do not pour liquid fabric softener
directly on fabric. See Operating
Your, step 5.
Never pour chlorine bleach directly
on fabric.
Check condition of items before
washing. See Operating Your, steps
2 and 5.
• See Washing Procedures, steps 1
and 2.
• 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.
Do not overload washer.
Remove items from washer as soon
as cycle is completed,
Use liquid fabric softener.
Select correct wash cycle.
Use correct amount of detergent.
Wash synthetics frequently using
hot or warm water.
• 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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