Solutions to Common Problems 27
Common Washing Problems
Many washing problems involve poor soil and stain removal, residues of lint and scum, and fabric dam- age. For satisfactory washing results, follow these suggestions provided by The Soap and Detergent Association.
PROBLEM | POSSIBLE CAUSES | SOLUTIONS | PREVENTIVE MEASURES |
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Blue stains | • Undiluted liquid detergent | • If caused by detergent, mix | • Avoid overfilling detergent |
| or fabric softener dispensed | 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar | and fabric softener com- |
| directly onto fabric. | with 1 quart (.95 L) water | partments of dispenser. |
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| in a plastic container. Soak |
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| item 1 hour. Rinse. |
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| • If caused by fabric softener, |
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| rub stains with bar soap. |
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| Wash. |
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Discoloration, | • Not enough detergent. | • Rewash with correct | • Sort items by soil level and |
graying | • Wash water temperature | amount of detergent and | color. |
| too low. | hottest water safe for fabric. | • Use correct amount of de- |
| • Incorrect sorting. | • Add bleach safe for fabric. | tergent, hottest water and |
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| bleach safe for fabric. |
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Greasy, oily | • Not enough detergent. | • Treat with prewash stain | • Use correct amount of |
stains | • Undiluted liquid fabric | remover or liquid detergent. | detergent and hottest water |
| softener poured directly on | • Increase detergent and wa- | safe for fabric. |
| fabric. | ter temperature. Rewash. | • Do not pour liquid fabric |
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| • Rub fabric softener stains | softener directly on fabric. |
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| with bar soap. | See Operating Your, step 5. |
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Holes, tears, or | • Incorrect use of chlorine | • May be irreversible if rips, | • Never pour chlorine bleach |
snags | bleach. | tears and seams cannot be | directly on fabric. |
| • Unfastened zippers, hooks, | mended. | • Check condition of items |
| buckles. |
| before washing. See Oper- |
| • Rips, tears and broken |
| ating Your, steps 2 and 5. |
| threads. |
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| • Overloading the washer. |
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| • Degradation of fabric. |
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Lint | • Incorrect sorting. | • Reduce load size. Rewash | • See Operating Your, steps |
| • Tissues left in pocket. | using correct water tem- | 1 and 2. |
| • Overloading the washer. | perature, water level, and | • Do not overload washer. |
| • Not enough detergent. | amount of detergent. | • Use correct temperature |
| • Undissolved detergent has | • Add nonprecipitating water | and amount of detergent, |
| left a residue resembling | conditioner to wash water | water and wash time. |
| lint. | to remove detergent resi- |
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| • Static cling is attracting lint. | due. |
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| • Load washed too long. | • Add liquid fabric softener to |
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| final rinse. |
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| • Dry load in dryer. |
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| • Remove lint with lint brush |
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| or roller. |
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