SOLUTIONS TO COMMON PROBLEMS
Common Washing Problems
Many washing problems involve poor soil and stain removal, residues of lint and scum, and fabric dam- age. For satisfactory washing results, follow these suggestions provided by The Soap and Detergent Association.
PROBLEM | POSSIBLE CAUSES | SOLUTIONS | PREVENTIVE MEASURES | |||
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Blue stains | • | Undiluted liquid detergent | • | If caused by detergent, | • | Avoid overfilling detergent |
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| or fabric softener dispensed |
| mix 1 cup (240 ml) white |
| and fabric softener compart- |
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| directly onto fabric. |
| vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L) |
| ments of dispenser. |
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| water in a plastic container. |
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| Soak item 1 hour. Rinse. |
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| • | If caused by fabric softener, |
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| rub stains with bar soap. |
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| Wash. |
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Discoloration, | • | Not enough detergent. | • | Rewash with correct amount | • | Sort items by soil level and |
graying | • | Wash water temperature |
| of detergent and hottest |
| color. |
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| too low. |
| water safe for fabric. | • | Use correct amount of de- |
| • | Incorrect sorting. | • | Add bleach safe for fabric. |
| tergent, hottest water and |
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| bleach safe for fabric. |
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Greasy, oily | • | Not enough detergent. | • | Treat with prewash stain | • | Use correct amount of |
stains | • | Undiluted liquid fabric |
| remover or liquid detergent. |
| detergent and hottest water |
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| softener poured directly on | • | Increase detergent and wa- |
| safe for fabric. |
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| fabric. |
| ter temperature. Rewash. | • | Do not pour liquid fabric |
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| • | Rub fabric softener stains |
| softener directly on fabric. |
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| with bar soap. |
| See Operating Your, step 5. |
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Holes, tears, or | • | Incorrect use of chlorine | • | May be irreversible if rips, | • | Never pour chlorine bleach |
snags |
| bleach. |
| tears and seams cannot be |
| directly on fabric. |
| • | Unfastened zippers, hooks, |
| mended. | • | Check condition of items |
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| buckles. |
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| before washing. See Operat- |
| • | Rips, tears and broken |
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| ing Your, steps 2 and 5. |
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| threads. |
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| • | Overloading the washer. |
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| • | Degradation of fabric. |
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Lint | • | Incorrect sorting. | • | Reduce load size. Rewash | • | See Operating Your, steps 1 |
| • | Tissues left in pocket. |
| using correct water tem- |
| and 2. |
| • | Overloading the washer. |
| perature, water level, and | • | Do not overload washer. |
| • | Not enough detergent. |
| amount of detergent. | • | Use correct temperature |
| • | Undissolved detergent has | • | Add nonprecipitating water |
| and amount of detergent, |
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| left a residue resembling |
| conditioner to wash water to |
| water and wash time. |
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| lint. |
| remove detergent residue. |
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| • | Static cling is attracting lint. | • | Add liquid fabric softener to |
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| • | Load washed too long. |
| final rinse. |
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| • | Dry load in dryer. |
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| • | Remove lint with lint brush |
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| or roller. |
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