Residue or
powder on
dark items;
Sti , harsh
fabrics.
Undissolved detergent.t
Some granular detergents cant
combine with hard water minerals
to form a residue.
Overloading the washer.tRewash load. gnisuerutarepmetretawesaercnItt
hottest water safe for fabric.
Do not overload washer.t
Use liquid detergent or use non-t
precipitating water conditioner
with powder detergent.
Wrinkling Overloading the washer.t
Incorrect wash cycle for washt
load.
Reduce load size.t
Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric soft-t
ener using the casual or delicate cycle.
Do not overload washer.t
Remove items from washer ast
soon as cycle is completed.
Use liquid fabric softener.t
Yellow
buildup of
body soil
on synthetic
fabrics
Agitation time too short.t
Wash water temperature too low.t
Not enough detergent.tSoak in detergent booster or product con-t
taining enzymes.
Wash in hottest water safe for fabric usingt
casual cycle.
Increase detergent.t
Add bleach safe for fabric or treat witht
color remover.
Select correct wash cycle.t
Use correct amount of detergent.t
Wash synthetics frequently usingt
hot or warm water.
Yellow or
brown rust
stains
Iron or manganese in water sup-t
ply, water pipes, or water heater.
To restore discolored load of whites, uset
rust remover safe for fabric.
Do not use chlorine bleach to remove rustt
stains. It may intensify discoloration.
Use nonprecipitating watert
softener.
Before washing, run hot water fort
a few minutes to clear lines.
Drain water heater occasionally.t
For an ongoing problem, installt
an iron filter in your water supply
system.
Common Washing Problems
16
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.
SERUSAEMEVITNEVERPSNOITULOSSESUACELBISSOPMELBORP
Blue stains Undiluted liquid detergent ort
fabric softener dispensed directly
onto fabric.
If caused by detergent, mix 1 cup (240 ml)t
white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L) water in
a plastic container. Soak item 1 hour. Rinse.
If caused by fabric softener, rub stains witht
bar soap. Wash.
Avoid overfilling detergent andt
fabric softener compartments of
dispenser.
Discolor-
ation, gray-
ing
Not enough detergent.t
Wash water temperature too low.t
Incorrect sorting.tRewash with correct amount of detergentt
and hottest water safe for fabric.
Add bleach safe for fabric.tSort items by soil level and color.t
Use correct amount of detergent,t
hottest water and bleach safe for
fabric.
Greasy, oily
stains
Not enough detergent.t
Undiluted liquid fabric softenert
poured directly on fabric.
Treat with prewash stain remover or liquidt
detergent.
Increase detergent and water temperature.t
Rewash.
Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap.tUse correct amount of detergentt
and hottest water safe for fabric.
Do not pour liquid fabric softenert
directly on fabric.
Holes, tears,
or snags
Incorrect use of chlorine bleach.t
Unfastened zippers, hooks,t
buckles.
Rips, tears and broken threads.t
Overloading the washer.t
Degradation of fabric.tMay be irreversible if rips, tears and seamst
cannot be mended.
Never pour chlorine bleach di-t
rectly on fabric.
Check condition of items beforet
washing.
Lint Incorrect sorting.t
Tissues left in pocket.t
Overloading the washer.t
Not enough detergent.t
Undissolved detergent has left at
residue resembling lint.
Static cling is attracting lint.t
Load washed too long.tReduce load size. Rewash using correct wa-t
ter temperature, water level, and amount
of detergent.
Add nonprecipitating water conditioner tot
wash water to remove detergent residue.
Add liquid fabric softener to final rinse.t
Dry load in dryer.t
Remove lint with lint brush or roller.tDo not overload washer.t
Use correct temperature andt
amount of detergent, water and
wash time.
Pilling
(Fibers ball
up and cling
to fabric.)
Pilling is normal with synthetict
and permanent press fabrics. This
is due to abrasion from normal
wear.
Use a lint brush or shaver to remove pills. rehsawehtnirenetfoscirbafesUtt
to lubricate fibers.
When ironing, use spray starch ort
fabric finish on collars and cu s.
Turn items inside out to reducet
abrasion.