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.	•Rewash with correct amount of detergent
graying	•Wash water temperature too low.	and hottest water safe for fabric. Add
	•Incorrect sorting.	bleach safe for fabric.

•Sort items by soil level and color.

•Use correct amount of detergent, hottest water and bleach safe for fabric.

Greasy, oily stains	•Not enough detergent.	•Treat with prewash stain remover or liquid
	•Undiluted liquid fabric softener	detergent.
	poured directly on fabric.	•Increase detergent and water temperature.
		Rewash.
		•Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap.

•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.	•May be irreversible if rips, tears and seams	•Never pour chlorine bleach directly on fabric.
snags		•Unfastened	zippers,	hooks,	cannot be mended.	•Check condition of items before washing. See
		buckles.				Washing Procedures for preparing and
		•Rips, tears and broken threads.				loading the wash load and adding chlorine
		•Overloading	the washer.			bleach.
		•Degradation	of fabric.
	Lint	•Incorrect sorting.			•Reduce load size. Rewash using correct	•See Washing Procedures for sorting and
		•Tissues left in pocket.			water temperature, water level, and amount	preparing the wash load.
		•Overloading	the washer.		of detergent.	•Do not overload washer.
		•Not enough detergent.			•Add nonprecipitating water conditioner to	•Use correct temperature and amount of
		•Undissolved detergent has left a wash water to remove detergent residue.				detergent, water and wash time.
		residue resembling lint.			•Add liquid fabric softener to final rinse.
		•Static cling is attracting lint.			•Dry load in dryer.
		•Load washed too long.			•Remove lint with lint brush or roller.

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. •Use fabric softener in the washer to lubricate
permanent press fabrics. This is	fibers.
due to abrasion from normal wear.	•When ironing, use spray starch or fabric
	finish on collars and cuffs.
	•Turn items inside out to reduce abrasion.

"Polka dots" (small circles of lint and soil on load after cycle ends)

•Wash temperature too low. •Not enough detergent. •Water is hard.

•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 on dark items; Stiff, harsh fabrics.

•Undissolved detergent.	•Rewash load.
•Some nonphosphate	granular

detergents can combine with hard water minerals to form a residue.

•Overloading the washer.

•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.	•Reduce load size.
	•Incorrect wash cycle for wash	•Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric softener
	load.	using the Perm Press or 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.	•Soak	in detergent booster or product
•Wash water temperature too low. containing enzymes.
•Not enough detergent.	•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 supply,
rust stains	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.