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
		•Detergent or liquid fabric softener		•If caused by detergent, mix 1 cup (240	•Add detergent before wash load. Then
Blue stains		did not dissolve or disperse.		ml) white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L)	start washer.
				water in a plastic container. Soak item 1	•Dilute fabric softener with water.
				hour. Rinse.	•Add fabric softener to dispenser (available
				•If caused by fabric softener, rub stains	on some models).
				with bar soap. Wash.

		•Not enough	detergent.	•Rewash with correct amount of	•Sort items by soil level and color.
Discoloration,		•Wash water	temperature too	detergent and hottest water safe for	•Use correct amount of detergent, hottest
graying		low.		fabric. Add bleach safe for fabric.	water and bleach safe for fabric
		•Incorrect sorting.		•Treat with prewash stain remover or	•Use correct amount of detergent and
		•Not enough	detergent.	liquid detergent.	hottest water safe for fabric.
Greasy, oily stains		•Undiluted liquid fabric softener		•Increase detergent and water	•Do not pour liquid fabric softener
		poured directly on fabric.		temperature. Rewash.	directly on fabric. See package directions
				•Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap.	or Washing Procedures for proper
					diluting.

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.

•Never pour chlorine bleach directly on fabric.

•Check condition of items before washing. See Washing Procedures for preparing and loading the wash load.

	•Incorrect sorting.
Lint	•Tissues left in pocket.
	•Overloading the washer.
	•Not enough detergent.
	•Undissolved detergent has left
	residue.
	•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.

•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 cycle, amount of detergent, water temperature and water level.

Pilling

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

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

•Use a lint brush or shaver to remove pills.

•Use fabric softener in the washer to lubricate fibers.

•When ironing, use spray starch or fabric finish on collars and cuffs.

•Turn items inside out to reduce abrasion.

Residue or powder on dark items; Stiff, harsh fabrics.

•Undissolved detergent.

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

•Reduce load size.

•Add dissolved detergent to tub . Rewash load.

•Mix 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar to 1 gallon (3.8 L) warm water in plastic container. Soak item. Rinse and rewash.

•Increase water temperature using hottest water safe for fabric.

•Do not overload washer. •Use liquid detergent or use

nonprecipitating water conditioner with granular detergent.

•Overloading the washer.	•Reduce load size.
Wrinkling	•Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric
	softener.

•Do not overload washer.

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

•Use liquid fabric softener.

	•Agitation time too short.
Yellow buildup of	•Wash water	temperature too
body soil on	low.
synthetic fabrics	•Not enough	detergent.

•Soak in detergent booster or product containing enzymes.

•Wash in hot water using full permanent press cycle.

•Increase detergent dosage. •Add bleach safe for fabric. •Or, treat with color remover.

•Wash synthetics frequently using water at least 100°F (37°C ) and correct water level.

	•Iron or manganese in water
Yellow or brown	supply, water pipes, or water
rust stains	heater.

•To restore discolored load of whites, use rust remover safe for fabric.

Do not use chlorine bleach to remove rust stains. It may intensify discoloration.

•Use nonprecipitating water softener. •Before washing, run hot water for a few

minutes to clear lines.

•Drain water heater occasionally.

•For an ongoing problem, install an iron filter in your water supply system.