Common Washing Problems
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 | POSSIBLE CAUSES | SOLUTIONS | PREVENTIVE MEASURES |
Blue stains | •Detergent or liquid fabric softener |
| did not dissolve or 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, | •Not enough detergent. | •Rewash with correct amount of detergent |
graying | •Wash water temperature too low. | and hottest water safe for fabric. Add |
| •Incorrect sorting. | bleach safe for fabric. |
•Sort items by soil level and color.
•Use correct amount of detergent, hottest water and bleach safe for fabric.
Greasy, oily stains | •Not enough detergent. | •Treat with prewash stain remover or liquid | •Use correct amount of detergent and hottest |
| •Undiluted liquid fabric softener | detergent. | water safe for fabric. |
| poured directly on fabric. | •Increase detergent and water temperature. •Do not pour liquid fabric softener directly | |
|
| Rewash. | on fabric. See package directions or Washing |
|
| •Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap. | Procedures for proper diluting. |
Holes, tears, or snags
•Incorrect use of chlorine bleach. •Unfastened zippers, hooks, buckles. •Rips, tears and broken threads. •Overloading the washer. •Degradation of fabric.
•May be irreversible if rips, tears and seams cannot be mended.
•Never pour chlorine bleach directly on fabric.
•Check condition of items before washing. See Washing Procedures for preparing and loading the wash load.
Lint | •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. |
•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.
•See Washing Procedures for sorting and preparing the wash load.
•Do not overload washer.
•Use correct amount of detergent, water temperature and water level.
Pilling
(Fibers break off, ball up and cling to fabric)
•Pilling is normal with synthetic and | •Use a lint brush or shaver to remove pills. •Use fabric softener in the washer to |
permanent press fabrics. This is due | lubricate fibers. |
to abrasion from normal wear. | •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. | •Reduce load size. | •Increase water temperature using hottest | |
•Some nonphosphate granular | •Add dissolved detergent to tub . Rewash | water safe for fabric. |
|
detergents can combine with hard | load. | •Do not overload washer. | |
water minerals to form a residue. | •Mix 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar to 1 gallon •Use liquid detergent or use | ||
| (3.8 L) warm water in plastic container. | nonprecipitating water | conditioner with |
| Soak item. Rinse and rewash. | nonphosphate granular | detergent. |
•Overloading the washer. | •Reduce load size. |
Wrinkling | •Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric |
| softener. |
•Do not overload washer.
•Remove items from washer as soon as cycle is completed.
•Use liquid fabric softener.
Yellow buildup of body soil on synthetic fabrics
•Agitation time too short. | •Soak in detergent booster or product |
•Wash water temperature too low. containing enzymes. | |
•Not enough detergent. | •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.
•Wash synthetics frequently using water at least 100°F (37°C ) and correct water level.
| •Iron or manganese in water supply, | •To restore discolored load of whites, use rust•Use nonprecipitating water softener. | |
Yellow or brown | water pipes, or water heater. | remover safe for fabric. | •Before washing, run hot water for a few |
rust stains |
| Do not use chlorine bleach to remove | minutes to clear lines. |
|
| rust stains. It may intensify | •Drain water heater occasionally. |
|
| discoloration. | •For an ongoing problem, install an iron |
|
|
| filter in your water supply system. |
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