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 or fabric softener dispensed directly onto fabric.

•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.

•Avoid overfilling detergent and fabric softener compartments of dispenser.

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.

•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.

•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.

Holes, tears, or	•Incorrect use of chlorine bleach.
snags	•Unfastened zippers, hooks,
	buckles.
	•Rips, tears and broken threads.
	•Overloading the washer.
	•Degradation of fabric.

•May be irreversible if rips, tears and	•Never pour chlorine bleach directly on
seams cannot be mended.	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	•Pilling is normal with synthetic
(Fibers break off,	and permanent			press fabrics.
ball up and cling to	This is due to abrasion from
fabric.)	normal	wear.
Residue or	•Undissolved		detergent.
powder on dark	•Some	granular detergents can
items;	combine with hard water
Stiff, harsh	minerals to form a residue.
fabrics.	•Overloading		the	washer.
Wrinkling	•Overloading		the	washer.
	•Incorrect wash cycle for wash
	load.

• Use a lint brush or shaver to remove		•Use fabric softener in the washer to
pills.		lubricate fibers.
		•When ironing, use spray starch or fabric
		finish on collars	and cuffs.
		•Turn items inside out to reduce abrasion.
•Rewash	load.	•Increase water temperature using hottest
		water safe for fabric.
		•Do not overload washer.
		•Use liquid detergent or use nonprecipitating
		water conditioner with granular detergent.
•Reduce	load size.	•Do not overload	washer.
•Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric		•Remove items from washer as soon as
softener using the Perm Press or		cycle is completed.
Delicate	cycle.	•Use liquid fabric	softener.

Yellow buildup of	•Agitation time too short.
body soil on	•Wash water temperature too low.
synthetic fabrics	•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 •Iron or manganese in water

rust stains supply, water pipes, or water

heater.

•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.

•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.