
Common Washing Problems
Many washing problems involve poor soil and stain removal, residuesof lint and scum, and fabric damage. Forsatisfactory washing
results, follow these suggestions provided byThe Soap and Detergent Association.
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSES SOLUTIONS PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Blue stains ,Undiluted liquid detergent or fabric ,If caused by detergent, mix 1 cup (240 ml) ,Avoid overfilling detergent and fabric
softener dispensed directly onto white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L) water in softener compartments of dispenser.
fabric, a plastic container. Soak item 1 hour. Rinse.
• If caused by fabric softener, rub stains with
bar soap. Wash.
Discoloration, ,Not enough detergent. ,Rewash with correct amount of detergent ,Sort items by soil level and color.
graying ,Wash water temperature too low. and hottest water safe for fabric. Add ,Use correct amount of detergent, hottest
• Incorrect sorting, bleach safe for fabric, water and bleach safe for fabric.
Greasy, oily stains ,Not enough detergent. ,Treat with prewash stain remover or liquid ,Use correct amount of detergent and
• Undiluted liquid fabric softener detergent, hottest water safe for fabric.
poured directly on fabric. ,Increase detergent and water ,Do not pour liquid fabric softener
temperature. Rewash. directly on fabric. See Washing
• Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap. Procedures for directions on adding
softener.
Holes, tears, or
snags
• 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.
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.
• 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.
• 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
(Fibers break off,
ball up and cling to
fabric.)
• Pilling is normal with synthetic and ,Use a lint brush or shaver to remove pills.
permanent press fabrics. This is due
to abrasion from normal wear.
• 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.
"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.
• Rewash in hottest water safe for fabrics.
• Use correct water temperature and amount
of detergent.
• 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.
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.
• 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.
Wrinkling • Overloading the washer.
• Incorrect wash cycle for wash load. • Reduce load size.
• Rinsein cold water with liquid fabric softener
using the Perm Pressor Delicate cycle.
• Do not overload washer.
• Remove items from washer as
soon as cycle is completed.
• Use liquid fabric softener.
Yellow buildup of
body soil on
synthetic fabrics
•Agitation time too short.
•Wash water temperature too low.
• Not enough detergent.
• 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.
• 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 ,Use nonprecipitating water softener.
remover safe for fabric. ,Before washing, run hot water for
•Do not use chlorine bleach to remove a few minutes to clear lines.
rust stains. It may intensify ,Drain water heater occasionally.
discoloration. ,For an ongoing problem, install an iron
filter in your water supply system.
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