SOLUTIONS TO COMMON PROBLEMS
Common Washing Problems
Many washing problems involve poor soil and stain removal, residues of lint and scum, and fabric damage. For satisfac- tory 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 and fabric |
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| or fabric softener dispensed |
| cup (240 ml) white vinegar with |
| softener compartments of dispenser. |
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| directly onto fabric. |
| 1 quart (.95 L) water in a plastic |
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| container. Soak item 1 hour. |
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| Rinse. |
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| • | If caused by fabric softener, rub |
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| stains with bar soap. Wash. |
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Discoloration, | • | Not enough detergent. | • | Rewash with correct amount of | • | Sort items by soil level and color. |
graying | • | Wash water temperature |
| detergent and hottest water safe | • | Use correct amount of detergent, hot- |
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| too low. |
| for fabric. |
| test water and bleach safe for fabric. |
| • | Incorrect sorting. | • | Add bleach safe for fabric. |
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Greasy, oily | • | Not enough detergent. | • | Treat with prewash stain remover | • | Use correct amount of detergent and |
stains | • | Undiluted liquid fabric |
| or liquid detergent. |
| hottest water safe for fabric. |
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| softener poured directly | • | Increase detergent and water | • | Do not pour liquid fabric softener |
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| on fabric. |
| temperature. Rewash. |
| directly on fabric. See Operating Your, |
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| • | Rub fabric softener stains with |
| step 5. |
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| bar soap. |
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Holes, tears, or | • | Incorrect use of chlorine | • | May be irreversible if rips, tears | • | Never pour chlorine bleach directly |
snags |
| bleach. |
| and seams cannot be mended. |
| on fabric. |
| • | Unfastened zippers, hooks, |
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| • | Check condition of items before |
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| buckles. |
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| washing. See Operating Your, steps |
| • | Rips, tears and broken |
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| 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 using | • | See Operating Your, steps 1 and 2. |
| • | Tissues left in pocket. |
| correct water temperature, water | • | Do not overload washer. |
| • | Overloading the washer. |
| level, and amount of detergent. | • | Use correct temperature and amount |
| • | Not enough detergent. | • | Add nonprecipitating water con- |
| of detergent, water and wash time. |
| • | Undissolved detergent has |
| ditioner to wash water to remove |
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| left a residue resembling |
| detergent residue. |
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| lint. | • | Add liquid fabric softener to |
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| • | Static cling is attracting lint. |
| final rinse. |
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| • | Load washed too long. | • | Dry load in dryer. |
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| • | Remove lint with lint brush or |
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| roller. |
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Pilling | • | Pilling is normal with syn- | • | Use a lint brush or shaver to | • | Use fabric softener in the washer to |
(Fibers ball up |
| thetic and permanent press |
| remove pills. |
| lubricate fibers. |
and cling to |
| fabrics. This is due to abra- |
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| • | When ironing, use spray starch or |
fabric.) |
| sion from normal wear. |
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| fabric finish on collars and cuffs. |
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| • | Turn items inside out to reduce |
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| abrasion. |
Residue or | • | Undissolved detergent. | • | Rewash load. | • | Increase water temperature using |
powder on dark | • | Some granular detergents |
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| hottest water safe for fabric. |
items; |
| can combine with hard |
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| • | Do not overload washer. |
Stiff, harsh |
| water minerals to form a |
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| • | Use liquid detergent or use non- |
fabrics. |
| residue. |
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| precipitating water conditioner with |
| • | Overloading the washer. |
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| powder detergent. |
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