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.
D i s c o l o r a t i o n , graying
Greasy, oily stains
•Not enough detergent. | •Rewash with correct amount of detergent | |||
•Wash water temperature too low. | and hottest water safe for fabric. Add | |||
•Incorrect sorting. | bleach safe for fabric. |
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| |
•Not enough detergent. | •Treat with prewash stain remover or liquid | |||
•Undiluted liquid fabric softener | detergent. |
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poured directly on fabric. | •Increase | detergent | and | water |
| temperature. Rewash. |
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| •Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap. | |||
•Sort items by soil 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 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. |
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.
•May be irreversible if rips, tears and seams cannot be mended.
•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.
•Check condition of items before washing. See Washing Procedures for preparing and loading the wash load and adding chlorine bleach.
•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 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.
Wrinkling
•Undissolved | detergent. | •Rewash load. | |
•Some granular | detergents can |
| |
combine with hard water minerals |
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to form a residue. |
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•Overloading | the | washer. |
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•Overloading | the | washer. | •Reduce load size. |
•Incorrect wash cycle for wash load. | •Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric softener | ||
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| using the permanent press or delicate cycle. |
•Increase water temperature using hottest water safe for fabric.
•Do not overload washer.
•Use liquid detergent or use nonprecipitating water conditioner with granular detergent.
•Do not overload washer.
•Remove items from washer as soon as cycle is completed.
•Use liquid fabric softener.
Yellow buildup of body soil on synthetic fabrics
•Wash time too short. | •Soak in detergent booster or product |
•Wash water temperature too low. | containing enzymes. |
•Not enough detergent. | •Wash in hot water using full permanent |
| press cycle. Increase detergent. |
| •Add bleach safe for fabric. |
| •Or, treat with color remover. |
•Select correct wash cycle.
•Use correct amount of detergent.
•Wash synthetics frequently using hot or warm water.
Yellow or brown | •Iron or manganese in water supply, |
rust stains | water pipes, or water 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.
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