28Solutions to Common Problems
Common Washing Problems, con’t
PROBLEM | POSSIBLE CAUSES | SOLUTIONS | PREVENTIVE MEASURES |
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Pilling | • Pilling is normal with syn- | • Use a lint brush or shaver to | • Use fabric softener in the |
(Fibers ball up | thetic and permanent press | remove pills. | washer to lubricate fibers. |
and cling to | fabrics. This is due to abra- |
| • When ironing, use spray |
fabric.) | sion from normal wear. |
| starch or fabric finish on |
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| collars and cuffs. |
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| • Turn items inside out to |
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| reduce abrasion. |
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Residue or | • Undissolved detergent. | • Rewash load. | • Increase water temperature |
powder on dark | • Some granular detergents |
| using hottest water safe for |
items; | can combine with hard |
| fabric. |
Stiff, harsh | water minerals to form a |
| • Do not overload washer. |
fabrics. | residue. |
| • Use liquid detergent or |
| • Overloading the washer. |
| use nonprecipitating water |
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| conditioner with powder |
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| detergent. |
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Wrinkling | • Overloading the washer. | • Reduce load size. | • Do not overload washer. |
| • Incorrect wash cycle for | • Rinse in cold water with liq- | • Remove items from washer |
| wash load. | uid fabric softener using the | as soon as cycle is com- |
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| casual or delicate cycle. | pleted. |
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| • Use liquid fabric softener. |
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Yellow buildup | • Agitation time too short. | • Soak in detergent booster | • Select correct wash cycle. |
of body soil on | • Wash water temperature | or product containing | • Use correct amount of |
synthetic fabrics | too low. | enzymes. | detergent. |
| • Not enough detergent. | • Wash in hottest water safe | • Wash synthetics frequently |
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| for fabric using casual | using hot or warm water. |
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| cycle. |
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| • Increase detergent. |
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| • Add bleach safe for fabric |
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| or treat with color remover. |
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Yellow or brown | • Iron or manganese in water | • To restore discolored load | • Use nonprecipitating water |
rust stains | supply, water pipes, or | of whites, use rust remover | softener. |
| water heater. | safe for fabric. | • Before washing, run hot |
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| • Do not use chlorine bleach | water for a few minutes to |
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| to remove rust stains. It | clear lines. |
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| may intensify discoloration. | • Drain water heater occa- |
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| sionally. |
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| • For an ongoing problem, |
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| install an iron filter in your |
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| water supply system. |
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