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. | •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 |
| •Undiluted liquid fabric softener | detergent. |
| poured directly on fabric. | •Increase detergent and water temperature. |
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| Rewash. |
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| •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 Washing Procedures for directions on adding softener.
Holes, tears, or | •Incorrect use | of chlorine | bleach. | •May be irreversible if rips, tears and seams | •Never pour chlorine bleach directly on fabric. | |
snags | •Unfastened | zippers, | hooks, | cannot be mended. | •Check condition of items before washing. See | |
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| buckles. |
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| Washing Procedures for preparing and |
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| •Rips, tears and broken threads. |
| loading the wash load and adding chlorine | ||
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| •Overloading | the washer. |
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| bleach. |
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| •Degradation | of fabric. |
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| Lint | •Incorrect sorting. |
| •Reduce load size. Rewash using correct | •See Washing Procedures for sorting and | |
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| •Tissues left in pocket. |
| water temperature, water level, and amount | preparing the wash load. | |
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| •Overloading | the washer. |
| of detergent. | •Do not overload washer. |
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| •Not enough detergent. |
| •Add nonprecipitating water conditioner to | •Use correct temperature and amount of | |
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| •Undissolved detergent has left a wash water to remove detergent residue. | detergent, water and wash time. | |||
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| residue resembling lint. |
| •Add liquid fabric softener to final rinse. |
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| •Static cling is attracting lint. | •Dry load in dryer. |
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| •Load washed too long. |
| •Remove lint with lint brush or roller. |
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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 lubricate |
permanent press fabrics. This is | fibers. |
due to abrasion from normal wear. | •When ironing, use spray starch or fabric |
| finish on collars and cuffs. |
| •Turn items inside out to reduce abrasion. |
"Polka dots" (small circles of lint and soil on load after cycle ends)
•Wash temperature too low. •Not enough detergent. •Water is hard.
•Incorrect sorting.
•Rewash in hottest water safe for fabrics. •Use correct water temperature and amount
of detergent.
•Use hottest water safe for fabric.
•Use correct water temperature and amount of detergent.
•Use nonprecipitating water conditioner. •Avoid overfilling detergent and fabric softener
compartments of dispenser.
Residue or powder on dark items; Stiff, harsh fabrics.
•Undissolved detergent. | •Rewash load. |
•Some nonphosphate | granular |
detergents can combine with hard water minerals to form a residue.
•Overloading the washer.
•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. |
| •Incorrect wash cycle for wash | •Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric softener |
| load. | using the Perm Press or Delicate cycle. |
•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 using full permanent |
| press | cycle. Increase detergent. |
| Add bleach safe for fabric. | |
| •Or, treat with color remover. | |
•Select correct wash cycle.
•Use correct amount of detergent.
•Wash synthetics frequently using hot or warm water.
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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