Crosley Tumble Action Laundry Center manual Common Washing Problems

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 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L) water in a plastic container. Soak item 1 hour. Rinse.

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

•Avoid pouring liquid deterent directly onto fabric.

•Avoid overfilling fabric softener compartment of dispenser.

Discoloration,	•Not enough detergent.	•Rewash with correct amount of detergent	•Sort items by soil level and color.
	•Wash water temperature too low.	and hottest water safe for fabric. Add	•Use correct amount of detergent, hottest
graying	•Incorrect sorting.	bleach safe for fabric.	water and bleach safe for fabric.
		•Treat with prewash stain remover or liquid	•Use correct	amount of detergent and hottest
Greasy, oily stains	•Not enough detergent.	detergent.	water safe	for fabric.
	•Undiluted liquid fabric softener	•Increase detergent and water temperature.	•Do not pour liquid fabric softener directly
	poured directly on fabric.	Rewash.	on fabric. See Washing Procedures for
		•Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap.	directions on adding softener.
			•Never pour chlorine bleach directly on fabric.

Holes, tears, or snags

•Incorrect use of chlorine bleach. •Unfastened zippers, hooks,

buckles.

•Rips, tears and broken threads. •Overloading the washer. •Degradation of fabric.

•May be irreversible if rips, tears and seams cannot be mended.

•Check condition of items before washing. See Washing Procedures for preparing and loading the wash load and adding chlorine 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. Rewash using correct water temperature, water level, and amount of detergent.

•Add nonprecipitating water conditioner to wash water to remove detergent residue.

•Add liquid fabric softener to final rinse. •Dry load in dryer.

•Remove lint with lint brush or roller.

•See Washing Procedures for sorting and preparing the wash load.

•Do not overload washer.

•Use correct temperature and amount of detergent, water and wash time.

Pilling

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

•Pilling is normal with synthetic and •Use a lint brush or shaver to remove pills.	•Use fabric softener in the washer to lubricate
permanent press fabrics. This is	fibers.
due to abrasion from normal wear.	•When ironing, use spray starch or fabric
	finish on collars and cuffs.
	•Turn items inside out to reduce abrasion.

	•Undissolved	detergent.		•Rewash load.
Residue or powder •Some granular			detergents	can
on dark items;	combine with hard water minerals
stiff,
	to form a residue.
harsh fabrics.
	•Overloading	the	washer.

•Increase water temperature using hottest water safe for fabric.

•Do not overload washer.

•Use liquid detergent or use nonprecipitating water conditioner with granular detergent.

Wrinkling	•Overloading the washer.
	•Incorrect wash cycle for wash
	load.

•Reduce load size.

•Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric softener using the permanent press or delicate cycle.

•Do not overload washer.

•Remove items from washer as soon as cycle is completed.

•Use liquid fabric softener.

Yellow buildup of	•Wash time too short.	•Soak in detergent booster or product	•Select correct wash cycle.
body soil on	•Wash water temperature too low.	containing enzymes.	•Use correct amount of detergent.
synthetic fabrics	•Not enough detergent.	•Wash in hot water using full permanent	•Wash synthetics frequently using hot or warm
		press cycle. Increase detergent.	water.
		•Add bleach safe for fabric.
		•Or, treat with color remover.
Yellow or brown	•Iron or manganese in water supply,	•To restore discolored load of whites, use	•Use nonprecipitating water softener.
rust stains	water pipes, or water heater.	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.

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