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 I	cup	(240	•Avoid overfilling detergent	and fabric
ml) white		vinegar	with t	quart	(.95	L)	softener compartments	of dispenser.
water	in a plastic		container. Soak item 1
hour.	Rinse.

•If caused by fabric softener, rub stains with bar soap. Wash.

Discoloration, * Not enough detergent.

graying• Wash water temperature too low.

• Incorrect sorting,

Greasy, oily stains • Not enough detergent.

•Undiluted liquid fabdc softener poured directly on fabric.

Holes, tears, or	• Incorrect use of chlorine bleach.
snags	• Unfastened	zippers, hooks,
	buckles.
	• Rips, tears and broken threads.
	• Overloading	the washer,
	• Degradation	of fabric,

•Rewash with correct amount of detergent and hottest water safe for fabrlo_ Add bleach safe for fabric,

•Treat with prewash stain remover or liquid detergent,

•Increase detergent and water temperature. Rewash.

•Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap.

*May be irreversible if dps, tears and seams cannot be mended,

•Sort items by soiI level and color.

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

•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,

•Never pour chlorine bleach directly on

tabdc.

*Check condition of items before washing.

See Washing Procedures for preparing r and loading the wash load and adding

chledne bleach.


Lint	• Incorrect	sorting.
	• Tissues left in pocket,
	• Overloading		the washer,
	• Not enough		detergent.
	• Undissolved		detergent	has left
	a residue	resembling		lint.
	• Static cling is attracting lint,
	• Load washed too long.

•Reduce load size. Rawash using correct * See Washing Procedures for sorting and


water	temperature,		water	level, and	preparing		the wash toad.
amount		of detergent.			• Do	not overload		washer.
• Add	nonprecipitating		water conditioner		• Use	correct temperature and amount of
to wash		water to remove		detergent	detergent,		water	and wash time,
residue.

•Add liquid fabdc softener to final rinse.

•Dry load in dryer.

•Remove lint with lint brush or roller,

Pilling

(Fibers break off. ball up and cling to fabric.)

Residue or powder on dark items;

Stiff, harsh fabrics,

Wrinkling

•Pilling is normal with synthetic and permanent press fabrics. This is due to abrasion from normal wear.

•Undissolved detergent.

•Some nonphosphate granular detergents can combine with hard water minerals to form a residue.

•Overloading the washer.

•Incorrect wash cycle for wash load.

• Use a lint brush or shaver to remove				• Use tabdc softener				in the washer to
pills.				lubricate		fibers.
				• When ironing, use spray starch or fabric
				finish on collars and cuffs,
				• Turn items inside out to reduce abrasion.
• Rewash	load.			• increase		water	temperature		using hottest
				water	safe for fabric.
				• DO not overload washer.
				• Use liquid detergent or use nonprecipitating
				water	conditioner		with nonphosphale
				granular		detergent.
• Reduce	load size.			• DO not overload			washer,
-Rinse in cold water		with	liquid fabric	• Remove		items from		washer	as soon as
softener	using the	Perm	Press or Delicate	cycle	is	completed.
cycle.				• Use liquid fabdc			softener.

Yellow buildup of body soll on synthetic fabrics

Yellow or brown rust stains

•Agitation time too short,

•Wash water temperature too low.

•Not enough detergent.

•Iron or manganese in water

supply, water pipes, or water beaten

• Soak	in detergent		booster or product	• Select	correct wash	cycle.
containing		enzymes.		• Use correct amount		of detergent.
• Wash	in hot	water	(120°F/49°C) using full	• Wash	synthetics frequently using hot or

permanent		press cycle. Increase		warm	water.
detergent.
Add bleach safe for fabric.
• Or, treat with color remover.
"To restore discolored			load of whites, use	* Use	nonprecipitating				water softener.
rust	remover safe for		fabric.	• Before		washing,		run	hot	water	for a few
"Do	not use	chlorine	bleach to remove	minutes		to	clear	lines.
rust	stains.	It may intensify		• Drain	water		heater		occasionally.
discoloration.				• For an ongoing				problem,		install	an iron filter
				in your water supply system.