Electrolux 137378100 A, EIFLS60LT manual Solutions to Common Problems, Common Washing Problems

26Solutions to Common Problems

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	• Undiluted liquid detergent	• If caused by detergent, mix 1		•	Avoid overfilling detergent
	or fabric softener dispensed		cup (240 ml) white vinegar with		and fabric softener com-
	directly onto fabric.		1 quart (.95 L) water in a plastic		partments of dispenser.
			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		•	Sort items by soil level and
graying	• Wash water temperature too		detergent and hottest water safe		color.
	low.		for fabric.	•	Use correct amount of de-
	• Incorrect sorting.	• Add bleach safe for fabric.			tergent, hottest water and
					bleach safe for fabric.
Greasy, oily	• Not enough detergent.	• Treat with prewash stain remover		•	Use correct amount of
stains	• Undiluted liquid fabric		or liquid detergent.		detergent and hottest water
	softener poured directly on	• Increase detergent and water			safe for fabric.
	fabric.		temperature. Rewash.	•	Do not pour liquid fabric
		•	Rub fabric softener stains with		softener directly on fabric.
			bar soap.		See Operating Your, step 5.
Holes, tears,	• Incorrect use of chlorine	• May be irreversible if rips, tears		•	Never pour chlorine bleach
or snags	bleach.		and seams cannot be mended.		directly on fabric.
	• Unfastened zippers, hooks,			•	Check condition of items
	buckles.				before washing. See Oper-
	• Rips, tears and broken threads.				ating Your, steps 2 and 5.
	• Overloading the washer.
	• Degradation of fabric.
Lint	• Incorrect sorting.	• Reduce load size. Rewash using		•	See Operating Your, steps
	• Tissues left in pocket.		correct water temperature, water		1 and 2.
	• Overloading the washer.		level, and amount of detergent.	•	Do not overload washer.
	• Not enough detergent.	• Add nonprecipitating water con-		•	Use correct temperature
	• Undissolved detergent has		ditioner to wash water to remove		and amount of detergent,
	left a residue resembling lint.		detergent residue.		water and wash time.
	• Static cling is attracting lint.	•	Add liquid fabric softener to final
	• Load washed too long.		rinse.
		•	Dry load in dryer.
		• Remove lint with lint brush or
			roller.
Pilling	• Pilling is normal with syn-	•	Use a lint brush or shaver to	•	Use fabric softener in the
(Fibers ball	thetic and permanent press		remove pills.		washer to lubricate fibers.
up and cling	fabrics. This is due to abra-			•	When ironing, use spray
to fabric.)	sion from normal wear.				starch or fabric finish on
					collars and cuffs.
				•	Turn items inside out to
					reduce abrasion.
Residue or	• Undissolved detergent.	• Rewash load.		•	Increase water temperature us-
powder on	• Some granular detergents				ing hottest water safe for fabric.
dark items;	can combine with hard			•	Do not overload washer.
Stiff, harsh	water minerals to form a			•	Use liquid detergent or use
fabrics.	residue.				nonprecipitating water condi-
	• Overloading the washer.				tioner with powder detergent.
Wrinkling	• Overloading the washer.	• Reduce load size.		•	Do not overload washer.
	• Incorrect wash cycle for	• Rinse in cold water with liquid		•	Remove items from washer
	wash load.		fabric softener using the casual		as soon as cycle is com-
			or delicate cycle.		pleted.
				•	Use liquid fabric softener.