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 | |||
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Blue stains | • | Undiluted liquid detergent | • | If caused by detergent, mix 1 cup (240 | • | Avoid overfilling detergent and |
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| or fabric softener dispensed |
| ml) white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L) |
| fabric softener compartments of |
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| directly onto fabric. |
| water in a plastic container. Soak item |
| dispenser. |
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| 1 hour. Rinse. |
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| • | If caused by fabric softener, rub stains |
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| with bar soap. Wash. |
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Discoloration, | • | Not enough detergent. | • | Rewash with correct amount of deter- | • | Sort items by soil level and color. |
graying | • | Wash water temperature |
| gent and hottest water safe for fabric. | • | Use correct amount of detergent, |
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| too low. | • | Add bleach safe for fabric. |
| hottest water and bleach safe for |
| • | Incorrect sorting. |
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| fabric. |
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Greasy, oily | • | Not enough detergent. | • | Treat with prewash stain remover or | • | Use correct amount of detergent |
stains | • | Undiluted liquid fabric |
| liquid detergent. |
| and hottest water safe for fabric. |
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| softener poured directly on | • | Increase detergent and water tem- | • | Do not pour liquid fabric softener |
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| fabric. |
| perature. Rewash. |
| directly on fabric. See Operating |
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| • | Rub fabric softener stains with bar |
| Your Washer, step 5. |
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| soap. |
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Holes, tears, or | • | Incorrect use of chlorine | • | May be irreversible if rips, tears and | • | Never pour chlorine bleach di- |
snags |
| bleach. |
| seams cannot be mended. |
| rectly 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 |
| • | Rips, tears and broken |
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| Washer, 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 using correct | • | See Operating Your Washer, steps |
| • | Tissues left in pocket. |
| water temperature, water level, and |
| 1 and 2. |
| • | Overloading the washer. |
| amount of detergent. | • | Do not overload washer. |
| • | Not enough detergent. | • | Add nonprecipitating water condition- | • | Use correct temperature and |
| • | Undissolved detergent has |
| er to wash water to remove detergent |
| amount of detergent, water and |
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| left a residue resembling lint. |
| residue. |
| wash time. |
| • | Static cling is attracting lint. | • | Add liquid fabric softener to final |
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| • | Load washed too long. |
| rinse. |
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| • | Dry load in dryer. |
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| • | Remove lint with lint brush or roller. |
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Pilling | • | Pilling is normal with syn- | • | Use a lint brush or shaver to remove | • | Use fabric softener in the washer |
(Fibers ball up |
| thetic and permanent press |
| pills. |
| to 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. |
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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 nonpre- |
fabrics. |
| residue. |
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| cipitating water conditioner with |
| • | Overloading the washer. |
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| powder 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 liquid fabric | • | Remove items from washer as soon |
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| wash load. |
| softener using the casual or delicate |
| as cycle is completed. |
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| cycle. | • | Use liquid fabric softener. |
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