Common Washing Problems
Manywashingproblemsinvolvepoorsoilandstainremoval,residuesoflintandscum,andfabricdamage.Forsatisfactorywashing results,followthesesuggestionsprovidedbyTheSoapandDetergentAssociation.
PROBLEM | POSSIBLE CAUSES | SOLUTIONS | PREVENTIVE MEASURES |
Blue stains | •Undilutedliquiddetergentorfabric | •If caused by detergent, mix 1 cup (240 ml) |
| softener dispensed directly onto | whitevinegarwith1quart(.95L)waterina |
| fabric. | plasticcontainer.Soakitem 1 hour.Rinse. |
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| •Ifcausedbyfabricsoftener,rubstainswith |
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| barsoap.Wash. |
•Avoidoverfillingdetergentandfabric softenercompartmentsofdispenser.
Discoloration, | •Notenoughdetergent. | •Rewash with correct amount of detergent | •Sortitemsbysoillevelandcolor. | |||
•Usecorrectamountofdetergent,hottest | ||||||
graying | •Washwatertemperaturetoolow. | andhottestwatersafeforfabric.Addbleach | ||||
waterandbleachsafeforfabric. | ||||||
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| •Incorrectsorting. | safeforfabric. | |||
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Greasy, oily stains | •Notenoughdetergent. | •Treatwithprewashstainremoverorliquid | •Usecorrect amountofdetergentandhottest | |||
watersafeforfabric. | ||||||
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| •Undiluted liquid fabric softener | detergent. | |||
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| •Do not pour liquid fabric softener | ||||
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| poureddirectlyonfabric. | •Increasedetergentandwatertemperature. | |||
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| directly on fabric. See Washing | ||||
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| Rewash. | |||
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| Procedures for directions on adding | |||
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| •Rubfabricsoftenerstainswithbarsoap. | |||
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Holes, tears, or | •Incorrectuseofchlorinebleach. | •May be irreversible if rips, tears and seams | •Never pour chlorine bleach directly on | |||
fabric. | ||||||
snags | •Unfastenedzippers,hooks,buckles. | cannotbemended. | ||||
•Checkconditionofitemsbeforewashing. | ||||||
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| •Rips,tearsandbrokenthreads. |
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| SeeWashingProcedures for preparing and | |||
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| •Overloadingthewasher. |
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| loadingthewashloadandaddingchlorine | |||
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| •Degradationoffabric. |
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| bleach. |
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Lint | •Incorrectsorting. | •Reduceloadsize.Rewashusingcorrectwater |
| •Tissuesleftinpocket. | temperature, water level, and amount of |
| •Overloadingthewasher. | detergent. |
| •Not enoughdetergent. | •Add nonprecipitatingwaterconditionerto |
| •Undissolved detergent has left a washwatertoremovedetergentresidue. | |
| residueresemblinglint. | • Addliquidfabricsoftenertofinalrinse. |
| •Staticclingisattractinglint. | •Dryloadindryer. |
| •Loadwashedtoolong. | •Removelintwithlintbrushorroller. |
•See WashingProcedures for sorting and preparingthewashload.
•Donotoverloadwasher.
•Usecorrecttemperatureandamountof detergent,waterandwashtime.
Pilling
(Fibersbreakoff,ball up and cling to fabric.)
•Pillingisnormalwithsyntheticand •Usealintbrushorshaver toremovepills. | •Usefabricsoftenerinthewashertolubricate | |
fibers. | ||
permanentpressfabrics.Thisisdue | ||
•Whenironing,usespraystarchorfabric | ||
toabrasionfrom normalwear. | ||
finish on collars and cuffs. | ||
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| •Turnitemsinsideouttoreduceabrasion. |
"Polka dots" (small circles of lint and soil onloadaftercycle ends)
•Washtemperature toolow. | •Rewashinhottestwatersafeforfabrics. |
•Notenoughdetergent. | •Usecorrectwatertemperatureandamount |
•Waterishard. | ofdetergent. |
•Incorrectsorting. |
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•Usehottestwatersafeforfabric.
•Usecorrectwatertemperature andamount ofdetergent.
•Usenonprecipitatingwaterconditioner. •Avoidoverfillingdetergentandfabric softenercompartmentsofdispenser.
Residue or powder on dark items; Stiff, harsh fabrics.
•Undissolveddetergent.•Rewashload. •Some nonphosphate granular
detergents can combine with hard watermineralstoformaresidue.
•Overloadingthewasher.
•Increasewatertemperatureusinghottest watersafeforfabric.
•Donotoverloadwasher.
•Useliquiddetergentorusenonprecipitating waterconditionerwithnonphosphate granulardetergent.
Wrinkling | •Overloadingthewasher. | •Reduceloadsize. | •Donotoverloadwasher. |
•Incorrectwashcycleforwashload. •Rinseincoldwaterwithliquidfabricsoftener •Removeitemsfromwasherassoonascycle
usingthePermPressorDelicatecycle. iscompleted.
•Useliquidfabricsoftener.
Yellow buildup of | •Agitationtimetooshort. | •Soak in detergent booster or product |
body soil on | •Washwatertemperaturetoolow. | containingenzymes. |
synthetic fabrics | •Notenoughdetergent. | •Wash in hot water (120°F/49°C) using full |
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| permanentpresscycle.Increasedetergent. |
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| Addbleachsafeforfabric. |
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| •Or,treatwithcolorremover. |
•Selectcorrectwashcycle.
•Usecorrectamountofdetergent. •Washsyntheticsfrequentlyusinghotor
warmwater.
Yellow or brown | •Ironormanganeseinwatersupply, •Torestorediscoloredloadofwhites,userust | |
rust stains | waterpipes,orwaterheater. | removersafeforfabric. |
•Do not use chlorine bleach to remove ruststains. Itmayintensifydiscoloration.
•Usenonprecipitatingwatersoftener. •Beforewashing,runhotwaterforafew
minutestoclearlines.
•Drainwaterheateroccasionally.
•Foranongoingproblem,installanironfilter inyourwatersupplysystem.
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