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 |
graying | •Wash water temperature too low. | detergent and hottest water safe for |
| •Incorrect sorting. | fabric. Add 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 |
•Undiluted liquid fabric softener | liquid detergent. |
poured directly on fabric. | •Increase detergent and water |
| temperature. Rewash. |
| •Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap. |
•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.
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 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. | •Reduce load size. Rewash using correct |
| •Tissues left in pocket. | water temperature, water level, and |
| •Overloading the washer. | amount of detergent. |
| •Not enough detergent. | •Add nonprecipitating water conditioner |
| •Undissolved detergent has left | to wash water. |
| residue. | • Add liquid fabric softener to final rinse. |
| •Static cling is attracting lint. | •Dry load in dryer. |
| •Load washed too long. | •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 •Undissolved detergent. | •Reduce load size. | |
on dark items; | •Some nonphosphate granular | •Add dissolved detergent to tub . Rewash |
Stiff, harsh fabrics. detergents can combine with hard | load. | |
| water minerals to form a residue. | •Mix 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar to 1 |
|
| gallon (3.8 L) warm water in plastic |
|
| container. Soak item. Rinse and rewash. |
•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.
Wrinkling | •Overloading the washer. | •Reduce load size. |
|
| •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 | •Agitation time too short. | •Soak in detergent booster or product |
body soil on | •Wash water temperature too low. | containing enzymes. |
synthetic fabrics | •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.
Yellow or brown •Iron or manganese in water supply,
rust stains | water pipes, or water heater. |
•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.
•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.
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