Washing Problems . . .

To keep clothes looking white or bright, use good washing practices at all times to prevent a gradual build-up of soil or water hardness minerals on them. If you notice that your clothes are not as bright as they should be, take corrective measures immediately.

Problem

Cause

Solution

 

 

 

Gray or Dingy

Insufficient Detergent

Add more detergent to washtub before loading clothes.

Clothes

 

Mild detergents are not suitable for average soil.

 

 

 

 

Improper Sorting

Wash whites separately. Separate light from heavily

 

 

soiled items. Clothes can pick up soil from dirty wash

 

 

water.

 

 

 

 

Nonphosphate Detergent and

Follow package directions. Soften water if possible.

 

Hard Water

 

 

 

 

 

Water Not Hot Enough

White clothes will stay whiter with hot wash water.

 

 

Increase temperature.

 

 

 

 

Overcrowding Washer

Clothes must circulate freely through the water for best

 

 

results.

 

 

 

Yellowed

Unremoved Soil

Skin soil is hard to remove. Check hem edge of sheets

Clothes

 

and pillowcases, bottom end of t-shirts, etc. If this

 

 

portion is white and center is yellow, the fabric contains

 

 

unremoved soil. Use sufficient detergent and a hot wash.

 

 

Chlorine bleach may be needed.

 

 

 

 

Clothes Stained From Iron in

To test if an iron stain, use a rust remover on a portion of

 

the Water

the garment. Follow bottle directions for larger items.

 

 

 

 

Older Clothes

Some white fabrics turn yellow with age and cannot be

 

 

whitened.

 

 

 

Clothes Tearing

Improper Use of Chlorine

No correction for bleach damaged clothes. Always

or Damage

Bleach

measure and dilute bleach.

 

 

 

 

Overcrowding or Overloading

Make sure all items can move freely during agitation.

 

 

 

 

Insufficient Precare

Fasten all hooks and zippers. Mend tears. Remove

 

 

objects from pockets.

 

 

 

Excessive Lint

Improper Sorting

Fabrics which shed lint cannot be washed with fabrics

 

 

that receive lint.

 

 

 

 

Insufficient Detergent /

Use enough detergent so lint remains suspended in water

 

Non-phosphate Detergent

and flushed out.

 

 

 

 

Mixing Fabric Types

Knits and Permanent Press attract lint. Wash these only

 

 

with similar items. Use fabric softener in rinse water.

 

 

 

12

38839