CommonWashingProblems
Many washing problems involve poor soil and stain removal, residues of lint and scum, and fabric damage. For satisfactory washing results, follow these suggestions provided by The Soap and Detergent Association.
PROBLEM | POSSIBLECAUSES | SOLUTIONS | PREVENTIVEMEASURES |
Blue stains | • | Detergent or liquid fabric |
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| softener did not dissolve or |
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| disperse. |
•If caused by detergent, mix 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L) water in a plastic container. Soak item 1 hour. Rinse.
•If caused by fabric softener, rub stains with bar soap. Wash.
•Add detergent before wash load. Then start washer.
•Dilute fabric softener with water.
Discoloration, |
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| • | Sort items by soil level and color. | |
graying | • |
| Not enough detergent. | • | Rewash with correct amount of | • | Use correct amount of detergent, | |||||||
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| Wash water |
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| detergent and hottest water safe for |
| hottest water and bleach safe for fabric. | |||||
Greasy, oily stains |
| temperature | too | low. |
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| fabric. Add bleach safe for fabric. | • | Use correct | amount of detergent | ||||
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| Incorrect | sorting. |
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| • | Treat | with prewash | stain |
| and hottest water safe for fabric. | |
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| Not | enough | detergent. |
| remover or liquid detergent. |
| • | Do not pour liquid fabric | ||||
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| Undiluted liquid fabric | • | Increase detergent | and water |
| softener directly on fabric. See package | ||||||
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| softener poured directly on fabric. |
| temperature. Rewash. |
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| directions or Washing Procedures for | |||||||
Holes, tears, or |
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| • | Rub fabric softener stains with |
| proper diluting. |
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| bar soap. |
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| • | Never pour chlorine bleach | ||
snags |
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| Incorrect use of chlorine | • | May be irreversible if rips, tears |
| directly on fabric. |
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| bleach. |
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| and seams cannot be mended. | • | Check condition of items before | ||||
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| Unfastened | zippers, |
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| washing. See Washing Procedures for | ||||
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| hooks, buckles. |
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| preparing |
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Lint | • |
| Rips, tears and broken |
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| and loading the wash load. | |||||
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| threads. |
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| Overloading | the | washer. | • | Reduce load size. Rewash using | • | See Washing Procedures for | |||||
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| Degradation | of | fabric. |
| correct water temperature, water level, | |||||||
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| and amount of detergent. |
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| sorting and preparing the wash load. | ||
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| Incorrect | sorting. | • | Add | nonprecipitating water | • | Do not overload washer. | |||||
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| Tissues left in pocket. |
| conditioner to wash water. |
| • | Use correct amount of detergent, | ||||||
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| Overloading | the | washer. | • | Add liquid fabric softener to |
| water temperature and water level. | |||||
Pilling | • |
| Not | enough detergent. |
| final rinse. |
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| Undissolved | detergent | • | Dry load in dryer. |
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(Fibers break off, |
| has left residue. |
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| • | Remove lint with lint brush or |
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ball up and cling to | • |
| Static cling is attracting |
| roller. |
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| • | Use fabric softener in the washer | |||||
fabric) |
| lint. |
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| Load washed too long. |
| •Use a lint brush or shaver to remove |
| to lubricate fibers. |
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| pills. |
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| • | When ironing, use spray starch or | |
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| Pilling is normal with |
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| fabric finish on collars | and cuffs. | ||||
Residue or powder |
| synthetic and permanent press |
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| • | Turn items inside out to reduce | ||||||
on dark items; |
| fabrics. This is due to abrasion |
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| abrasion. |
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Stiff, harsh fabrics. |
| from | normal wear. |
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| • | Increase water temperature using | |||
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| • | Reduce load size. |
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| hottest water safe for fabric. | ||
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| • | Add dissolved detergent to tub . | • | Do not overload washer. | |||
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| Undissolved | detergent. |
| Rewash load. |
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| • | Use liquid detergent or use | ||||
Wrinkling | •Some | nonphosphate | granular | • | Mix 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar |
| nonprecipitating water conditioner with | |||||||
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| detergents can combine with |
| to 1 gallon (3.8 L) warm water in plastic |
| nonphosphate granular detergent. | ||||||||
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| hard water minerals to form a |
| container. Soak item. Rinse and rewash. | • | Do not overload washer. | ||||||||
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| residue. |
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| • | Reduce load size. |
| • | Remove items from washer as | ||
Yellow buildup of |
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| • | Rinse in cold water with liquid |
| soon as cycle is completed. | |||
body soil on |
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| fabric softener. |
| • | Use liquid fabric softener. | ||
synthetic fabrics | • |
| Overloading | the | washer. |
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| • | Wash synthetics frequently using | |||
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| • | Soak in detergent booster or |
| water at least 100°F (37°C ) and correct | |||
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| product containing enzymes. |
| water level. |
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Yellow or brown |
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| • | Wash in hot water (120°F/49°C) |
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| Agitation time too short. |
| using full permanent press cycle. Increase |
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rust stains | • |
| Wash water |
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| detergent. |
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| temperature | too | low. |
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| Add bleach safe for fabric. |
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| Not | enough | detergent. | • | Or, treat with color remover. | • | Use nonprecipitating water | |||||
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| • | To restore discolored load of |
| softener. |
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| whites, use rust remover safe for fabric. | • | Before washing, run hot water | |||
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| Do not use chlorine bleach to remove |
| for a few minutes to clear lines. | |||
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| Iron or manganese in |
| rust stains. It may intensify |
| • | Drain water | heater occasionally. | |||||
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| water supply, water pipes, or |
| discoloration. |
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| • | For an ongoing problem, install an | ||||||
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| water | heater. |
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| iron filter in your water supply system. | ||
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