10

Common Washing Problems

SOLUTIONS

PROBLEM PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• 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.
• Rewash with correct amount of
detergent and hottest water safe for
fabric. Add bleach safe for fabric.
• Treat with prewash stain
remover or liquid detergent.
• Increase detergent and water
temperature. Rewash.
• Rub fabric softener stains with
bar soap.
• May be irreversible if rips, tears
and seams cannot be mended.
• Reduce load size. Rewash using
correct water temperature, water level,
and amount of detergent.
• Add nonprecipitating water
conditioner to wash water.
• Add liquid fabric softener to
final rinse.
• Dry load in dryer.
• Remove lint with lint brush or
roller.
•Use a lint brush or shaver to remove
pills.
• Reduce load size.
• Add dissolved detergent to tub .
Rewash load.
• Mix 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar
to 1 gallon (3.8 L) warm water in plastic
container. Soak item. Rinse and rewash.
• Reduce load size.
• Rinse in cold water with liquid
fabric softener.
• Soak in detergent booster or
product containing enzymes.
• Wash in hot water (120°F/49°C)
using full permanent press cycle. Increase
detergent.
Add bleach safe for fabric.
• Or, treat with color remover.
• 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.

POSSIBLE CAUSES

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.

• Detergent or liquid fabric
softener did not dissolve or
disperse.
• Not enough detergent.
• Wash water
temperature too low.
• Incorrect sorting.
• Not enough detergent.
• Undiluted liquid fabric
softener poured directly on fabric.
• Incorrect use of chlorine
bleach.
• Unfastened zippers,
hooks, buckles.
• Rips, tears and broken
threads.
• Overloading the washer.
• Degradation of fabric.
• Incorrect sorting.
• Tissues left in pocket.
• Overloading the washer.
• Not enough detergent.
• Undissolved detergent
has left residue.
• Static cling is attracting
lint.
• Load washed too long.
• Pilling is normal with
synthetic and permanent press
fabrics. This is due to abrasion
from normal wear.
• Undissolved detergent.
•Some nonphosphate granular
detergents can combine with
hard water minerals to form a
residue.
• Overloading the washer.
• Agitation time too short.
• Wash water
temperature too low.
• Not enough detergent.
• Iron or manganese in
water supply, water pipes, or
water heater.
Blue stains
Discoloration,
graying
Greasy, oily stains
Holes, tears, or
snags
Lint
Pilling
(Fibers break off,
ball up and cling to
fabric)
Residue or powder
on dark items;
Stiff, harsh fabrics.
Wrinkling
Yellow buildup of
body soil on
synthetic fabrics
Yellow or brown
rust stains
• Add detergent before wash load.
Then start washer.
• Dilute fabric softener with water.
• Sort items by soil level and color.
• Use correct amount of detergent,
hottest water and bleach safe for fabric.
• Use correct amount of detergent
and hottest water safe for fabric.
•Do not pour liquid fabric
softener directly on fabric. See package
directions or Washing Procedures for
proper diluting.
• Never pour chlorine bleach
directly on fabric.
• Check condition of items before
washing. See Washing Procedures for
preparing
and loading the wash load.
• See Washing Procedures for
sorting and preparing the wash load.
• Do not overload washer.
• Use correct amount of detergent,
water temperature and water level.
• 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.
• Increase water temperature using
hottest water safe for fabric.
• Do not overload washer.
• Use liquid detergent or use
nonprecipitating water conditioner with
nonphosphate granular detergent.
• Do not overload washer.
• Remove items from washer as
soon as cycle is completed.
• Use liquid fabric softener.
• Wash synthetics frequently using
water at least 100°F (37°C ) and correct
water level.
• Use nonprecipitating water
softener.
• Before washing, run hot water
for a few minutes to clear lines.
• Drain water heater occasionally.
• For an ongoing problem, install an
iron filter in your water supply system.