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 •Undiluted liquid detergent or fabric softener dispensed directly onto fabric.

•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.

•Avoid overfilling detergent and fabric softener compartments of dispenser.

Discoloration, •Not enough detergent.

graying•Wash water temperature too low. •Incorrect sorting.

Greasy, oily stains •Not enough detergent. •Undiluted liquid fabric softener

poured directly on fabric.

•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.

•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 Washing Procedures for directions on adding softener.

Holes, tears, or

•Incorrect use of chlorine bleach.

snags

•Unfastened zippers, hooks,

 

buckles.

 

•Rips, tears and broken threads.

 

•Overloading the washer.

 

•Degradation of fabric.

•May be irreversible if rips, tears and

•Never pour chlorine bleach directly on

seams cannot be mended.

fabric.

 

•Check condition of items before washing.

 

See Washing Procedures for preparing

 

and loading the wash load and adding

 

chlorine bleach.

Lint

•Incorrect sorting.

 

•Tissues left

in pocket.

 

•Overloading

the washer.

 

•Not enough detergent.

 

•Undissolved

detergent has left

 

a residue resembling lint.

 

•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 to remove detergent residue.

•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 temperature and amount of detergent, water and wash time.

Pilling

•Pilling is normal with synthetic

(Fibers break off,

and permanent

press fabrics.

ball up and cling to

This is due to abrasion from

fabric.)

normal wear.

 

Residue or

•Undissolved

detergent.

powder on dark

• Some nonphosphate granular

items;

detergents can combine with

Stiff, harsh

hard water minerals to form a

fabrics.

residue.

 

 

 

•Overloading

the

washer.

Wrinkling

•Overloading

the

washer.

 

•Incorrect wash cycle for wash

 

load.

 

 

• Use a lint brush or shaver to remove

•Use fabric softener in the washer to

pills.

lubricate fibers.

 

 

•When ironing, use spray starch or fabric

 

finish on collars

and cuffs.

 

•Turn items inside out to reduce abrasion.

• Rewash load.

•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.

•Reduce load size.

•Do not overload washer.

•Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric

•Remove items from washer as soon as

softener using the Perm Press or Delicate

cycle is completed.

cycle.

•Use liquid fabric

softener.

Yellow buildup of

•Agitation time too short.

body soil on

•Wash water temperature too low.

synthetic fabrics

•Not enough detergent.

Yellow or brown •Iron or manganese in water

rust stains supply, water pipes, or water

heater.

•Soak in detergent booster or product

•Select correct wash cycle.

containing enzymes.

•Use correct amount of detergent.

•Wash in hot water (120°F/49°C) using full

•Wash synthetics frequently using hot or

permanent press cycle. Increase

warm water.

detergent.

 

Add bleach safe for fabric.

 

•Or, treat with color remover.

 

•To restore discolored load of whites, use

•Use nonprecipitating water softener.

rust remover safe for fabric.

•Before washing, run hot water for a few

•Do not use chlorine bleach to remove rust

minutes to clear lines.

stains. It may intensify discoloration.

•Drain water heater occasionally.

 

•For an ongoing problem, install an iron filter

 

in your water supply system.

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