SOLUTIONS TO COMMON PROBLEMS
Common Washing Problems, continued
PROBLEM | POSSIBLE CAUSES | SOLUTIONS | PREVENTIVE MEASURES | |||
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Pilling | • | Pilling is normal with syn- | • | Use a lint brush or shaver to | • | Use fabric softener in the |
(Fibers ball up |
| thetic and permanent press |
| remove pills. |
| washer to lubricate fibers. |
and cling to |
| fabrics. This is due to abra- |
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| • | When ironing, use spray |
fabric.) |
| sion from normal wear. |
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| starch or fabric finish on col- |
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| lars and cuffs. |
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| • | Turn items inside out to |
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| reduce abrasion. |
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Residue or | • | Undissolved detergent. | • | Rewash load. | • | Increase water temperature |
powder on dark | • | Some granular detergents |
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| using hottest water safe for |
items; |
| can combine with hard |
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| fabric. |
Stiff, harsh |
| water minerals to form a |
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| • | Do not overload washer. |
fabrics. |
| residue. |
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| • | Use liquid detergent or |
| • | Overloading the washer. |
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| use nonprecipitating water |
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| conditioner with powder |
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| detergent. |
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Wrinkling | • | Overloading the washer. | • | Reduce load size. | • | Do not overload washer. |
| • | Incorrect wash cycle for | • | Rinse in cold water with liq- | • | Remove items from washer |
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| wash load. |
| uid fabric softener using the |
| as soon as cycle is com- |
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| casual or delicate cycle. |
| pleted. |
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| • | Use liquid fabric softener. |
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Yellow buildup | • | Agitation time too short. | • | Soak in detergent booster | • | Select correct wash cycle. |
of body soil on | • | Wash water temperature |
| or product containing en- | • | Use correct amount of |
synthetic fabrics |
| too low. |
| zymes. |
| detergent. |
| • | Not enough detergent. | • | Wash in hottest water safe | • | Wash synthetics frequently |
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| for fabric using casual cycle. |
| using hot or warm water. |
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| • | Increase detergent. |
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| • | Add bleach safe for fabric or |
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| treat with color remover. |
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Yellow or brown | • | Iron or manganese in water | • | To restore discolored load | • | Use nonprecipitating water |
rust stains |
| supply, water pipes, or |
| of whites, use rust remover |
| softener. |
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| water heater. |
| safe for fabric. | • | Before washing, run hot |
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| • | Do not use chlorine bleach |
| water for a few minutes to |
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| to remove rust stains. It |
| clear lines. |
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| may intensify discoloration. | • | Drain water heater occa- |
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| sionally. |
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| • | For an ongoing problem, |
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| install an iron filter in your |
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| water supply system. |
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