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Common Washing Problems, con’t
PROBLEM POSSIBLECAUSES SOLUTIONS PREVENTIVEMEASURES
Pilling
(Fibers ball up
and cling to
fabric.)
Pilling is normal with syn-•
thetic and permanent press
fabrics. This is due to abra-
sion 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.
Overloading the washer.•
Rewash load.• Increase water temperature •
using hottest water safe for
fabric.
Do not overload washer.•
Use liquid detergent or •
use nonprecipitating water
conditioner with powder
detergent.
Wrinkling Overloading the washer.•
Incorrect wash cycle for •
wash load.
Reduce load size.•
Rinse in cold water with liq-•
uid fabric softener using the
casual or delicate cycle.
Do not overload washer.•
Remove items from washer •
as soon as cycle is com-
pleted.
Use liquid fabric softener.•
Yellow buildup
of body soil on
synthetic fabrics
Agitation time too short.•
Wash water temperature •
too low.
Notenoughdetergent.•
Soak in detergent booster •
or product containing
enzymes.
Wash in hottest water safe •
for fabric using casual
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
rust stains
Iron or manganese in water •
supply, 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 occa-•
sionally.
For an ongoing problem, •
install an iron filter in your
water supply system.
Solutions to Common Problems