SOLUTIONS TO COMMON PROBLEMS
Common Washing Problems
Many washing problems involve poor soil and stain removal, residues of lint and scum, and fabric dam- age. 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 | • | If caused by detergent, | • | Avoid overfilling detergent |
|
| or fabric softener dispensed |
| mix 1 cup (240 ml) white |
| and fabric softener compart- |
|
| directly onto fabric. |
| vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L) |
| ments of dispenser. |
|
|
|
| water in a plastic container. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Soak item 1 hour. Rinse. |
|
|
|
|
| • | If caused by fabric softener, |
|
|
|
|
|
| rub stains with bar soap. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Wash. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discoloration, | • | Not enough detergent. | • | Rewash with correct amount | • | Sort items by soil level and |
graying | • | Wash water temperature |
| of detergent and hottest |
| color. |
|
| too low. |
| water safe for fabric. | • | Use correct amount of de- |
| • | Incorrect sorting. | • | Add bleach safe for fabric. |
| tergent, hottest water and |
|
|
|
|
|
| bleach safe for fabric. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greasy, oily | • | Not enough detergent. | • | Treat with prewash stain | • | Use correct amount of |
stains | • | Undiluted liquid fabric |
| remover or liquid detergent. |
| detergent and hottest water |
|
| softener poured directly on | • | Increase detergent and wa- |
| safe for fabric. |
|
| fabric. |
| ter temperature. Rewash. | • | Do not pour liquid fabric |
|
|
| • | Rub fabric softener stains |
| softener directly on fabric. |
|
|
|
| with bar soap. |
| See Operating Your, step 5. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holes, tears, or | • | Incorrect use of chlorine | • | May be irreversible if rips, | • | Never pour chlorine bleach |
snags |
| bleach. |
| tears and seams cannot be |
| directly on fabric. |
| • | Unfastened zippers, hooks, |
| mended. | • | Check condition of items |
|
| buckles. |
|
|
| before washing. See Operat- |
| • | Rips, tears and broken |
|
|
| ing Your, steps 2 and 5. |
|
| threads. |
|
|
|
|
| • | Overloading the washer. |
|
|
|
|
| • | Degradation of fabric. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lint | • | Incorrect sorting. | • | Reduce load size. Rewash | • | See Operating Your, steps 1 |
| • | Tissues left in pocket. |
| using correct water tem- |
| and 2. |
| • | Overloading the washer. |
| perature, water level, and | • | Do not overload washer. |
| • | Not enough detergent. |
| amount of detergent. | • | Use correct temperature |
| • | Undissolved detergent has | • | Add nonprecipitating water |
| and amount of detergent, |
|
| left a residue resembling |
| conditioner to wash water to |
| water and wash time. |
|
| lint. |
| remove detergent residue. |
|
|
| • | Static cling is attracting lint. | • | Add liquid fabric softener to |
|
|
| • | Load washed too long. |
| final rinse. |
|
|
|
|
| • | Dry load in dryer. |
|
|
|
|
| • | Remove lint with lint brush |
|
|
|
|
|
| or roller. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
