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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
•Undiluted liquid detergent or fabric
softener dispensed directly onto
fabric.
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 a
residue resembling lint.
•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 wear.
fabric.)
"Polka dots" (small
•Wash temperature too low.
circles of lint and soil
•Not enough detergent.
on load after cycle
•Water is hard.
ends)
•Incorrect sorting.
Residue or powder
•Undissolved detergent.
on dark items;
•Some nonphosphate granular
Stiff, harsh fabrics.
detergents can combine with hard
water minerals to form a residue.
•Overloading the washer.
Wrinkling
•Overloading the washer.
•Incorrect wash cycle for wash
load.
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 supply,
rust stains
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 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.
•Rewash in hottest water safe for fabrics.
•Use correct water temperature and amount
of detergent.
•Rewash load.
•Reduce load size.
•Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric softener
using the Perm Press or Delicate cycle.
•Soak in detergent booster or product
containing enzymes.
•Wash in hot water using full 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
•Avoid overfilling detergent and fabric
softener compartments of dispenser.
•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 Washing
Procedures for directions on adding
softener.
•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.
•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.
•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.
•Use hottest water safe for fabric.
•Use correct water temperature and
amount of detergent.
•Use nonprecipitating water conditioner.
•Avoid overfilling detergent and fabric
softener compartments of dispenser.
•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.
•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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