SOLUTIONS TO COMMON PROBLEMS
Common Drying Problems
Many drying problems involve poor cleaning results, poor soil and stain removal, residues of lint and scum, and fabric damage. For satisfactory drying results, follow these suggestions provided by The Soap and Detergent Association.
PROBLEM | POSSIBLE CAUSES | SOLUTIONS | PREVENTIVE MEASURES | |||
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Greasy, oily | • | Fabric softener sheet. | • | Rub fabric softener stains with | • | Add a few bath towels to small loads |
stains |
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| bar soap. Rinse and rewash. |
| for proper tumbling. |
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| • | Some |
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| dried. |
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| • | Use proper drying temperature. |
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| • | Place fabric softener sheet on top of |
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| load before starting the dryer. |
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Lint | • | Overloading. | • | Reduce load size and rewash | • | Do not overload dryer. |
| • | Overdrying causes static |
| using liquid fabric softener in the | • | Use fabric softener in washer or dryer |
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| electricity. |
| final rinse. |
| to reduce static electricity. |
| • | Lint screen not clean when | • | Or, add a fabric softener sheet | • | Remove items when they are slightly |
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| cycle began. |
| and tumble without heat. |
| damp to avoid overdrying. |
| • | Lint is attached to “pills.” | • | Use lint brush or roller to remove | • | Check that lint filter is clean and in |
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| lint. |
| place. |
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Pilling | • | Overdrying. | • | Use a lint brush or shaver to | • | Use fabric softener to lubricate fibers. |
(Fibers break |
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| remove pills. | • | When ironing, use spray starch or |
off, ball up and |
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| fabric finish on collars and cuffs. |
cling to fabric.) |
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| • | Turn items inside out to reduce abra- |
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| sion. |
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Shrinking | • | Temperature too high. | • | Irreversible condition. | • | Follow fabric care label directions. |
| • | Overdrying. |
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| • | If shrinking is a concern, check load |
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| often. |
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| • | Remove items while slightly damp and |
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| hang or lay flat to complete drying. |
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| • | Block knits into shape. |
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Wrinkling | • | Overloading. | • | Reduce load size and tumble at | • | Do not overload dryer. |
| • | Leaving items in dryer after |
| medium or low heat for | • | Remove items as soon as cycle ends. |
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| cycle ends. |
| minutes. |
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| • Remove items immediately. Hang |
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| or fold. |
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