OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
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 | • | If caused by detergent, mix 1 cup (240 | • | Add detergent to empty tub. Do |
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| or fabric softener dispensed |
| ml) white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L) |
| not pour on dry load. |
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| directly onto fabric. |
| water in a plastic container. Soak item 1 | • | Avoid overfilling fabric softener |
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| hour. Rinse. |
| compartment of dispenser. |
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| • | If caused by fabric softener, rub stains |
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| with bar soap. Wash. |
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Discoloration, | • | Not enough detergent. | • | Rewash with correct amount of deter- | • | Sort items by soil level and color. |
graying | • | Wash water temperature |
| gent and hottest water safe for fabric. | • | Use correct amount of detergent, |
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| too low. | • | Add bleach safe for fabric. |
| hottest water and bleach safe |
| • | Incorrect sorting. |
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| for fabric. |
Greasy, oily | • | Not enough detergent. | • | Treat with prewash stain remover or | • | Use correct amount of detergent |
stains | • | Undiluted liquid fabric |
| liquid detergent. |
| and hottest water safe for fabric. |
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| softener poured directly on | • | Increase detergent and water tempera- | • | Do not pour liquid fabric softener |
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| fabric. |
| ture. Rewash. |
| directly on fabric. See Operating |
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| • | Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap. |
| Your, step 5. |
Holes, tears, or | • | Incorrect use of chlorine | • | May be irreversible if rips, tears and | • | Never pour chlorine bleach directly |
snags |
| bleach. |
| seams cannot be mended. |
| on fabric. |
| • | Unfastened zippers, hooks, |
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| • | Check condition of items before |
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| buckles. |
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| washing. See Operating Your, steps |
| • | Rips, tears and broken threads. |
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| 2 and 5. |
| • | Overloading the washer. |
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| • | Degradation of fabric. |
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Lint | • | Incorrect sorting. | • | Reduce load size. Rewash using correct | • | See Washing Procedures, steps |
| • | Tissues left in pocket. |
| water temperature, water level, and |
| 1 and 2. |
| • | Overloading the washer. |
| amount of detergent. | • | Do not overload washer. |
| • | Not enough detergent. | • | Add nonprecipitating water conditioner to | • | Use correct temperature and |
| • | Undissolved detergent has left |
| wash water to remove detergent residue. |
| amount of detergent, water and |
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| a residue resembling lint. | • | Add liquid fabric softener to final rinse. |
| wash time. |
| • | 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 | • | Pilling is normal with synthetic | • | Use a lint brush or shaver to remove | • | Use fabric softener in the washer |
(Fibers ball up |
| and permanent press fabrics. |
| pills. |
| to lubricate fibers. |
and cling to |
| This is due to abrasion from |
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| • | When ironing, use spray starch or |
fabric.) |
| normal wear. |
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| fabric finish on collars and cuffs. |
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| • | Turn items inside out to reduce |
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| abrasion. |
Residue or | • | Undissolved detergent. | • | Rewash load. | • | Increase water temperature using |
powder on dark | • | Some granular detergents |
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| hottest water safe for fabric. |
items; |
| can combine with hard water |
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| • | Do not overload washer. |
Stiff, harsh |
| minerals to form a residue. |
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| • | Use liquid detergent or use |
fabrics. | • | Overloading the washer. |
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| nonprecipitating water conditioner |
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| with powder detergent. |
Wrinkling | • | Overloading the washer. | • | Reduce load size. | • | Do not overload washer. |
| • | Incorrect wash cycle for | • | Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric | • | Remove items from washer as |
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| wash load. |
| softener using the casual or delicate |
| soon as cycle is completed. |
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| cycle. | • | Use liquid fabric softener. |
Yellow buildup | • | Agitation time too short. | • | Soak in detergent booster or product | • | Select correct wash cycle. |
of body soil on | • | Wash water temperature |
| containing enzymes. | • | Use correct amount of detergent. |
synthetic fabrics |
| too low. | • | Wash in hottest water safe for fabric | • | Wash synthetics frequently using |
| • | Not enough detergent. |
| using casual cycle. |
| hot or warm water. |
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| • | Increase detergent. |
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| • | Add bleach safe for fabric or treat with |
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| color remover. |
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Yellow or brown | • | Iron or manganese in water | • | To restore discolored load of whites, use | • | Use nonprecipitating water |
rust stains |
| supply, water pipes, or water |
| rust remover safe for fabric. |
| softener. |
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| heater. | • | Do not use chlorine bleach to remove | • | Before washing, run hot water for |
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| rust stains. It may intensify discolor- |
| a few minutes to clear lines. |
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| ation. | • | Drain water heater occasionally. |
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| • | For an ongoing problem, install |
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| an iron filter in your water supply |
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| system. |
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