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 |
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Blue stains | •Undiluted liquid detergent or fabric |
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| softener dispensed directly onto |
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•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 pouring liquid deterent directly onto fabric.
•Avoid overfilling fabric softener compartment of dispenser.
| Discoloration, | •Not | enough | detergent. | •Rewash with correct amount of | •Sort items by soil level and color. |
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| •Wash water | temperature too |
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| graying | low. |
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| detergent and hottest water safe for | •Use correct amount of detergent, hottest |
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| •Incorrect sorting. | fabric. Add bleach safe for fabric. | water and bleach safe for fabric. |
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| •Not | enough | detergent. | •Treat with prewash stain remover or | •Use correct amount of detergent and |
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| Greasy, oily stains | •Undiluted liquid fabric softener | liquid | detergent. | hottest water safe for fabric. |
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| poured directly on fabric. | •Increase detergent and water | •Do not pour liquid fabric softener |
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| temperature. Rewash. | directly on fabric. See Washing |
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| •Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap. | Procedures for directions on adding |
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| softener. |
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| Holes, tears, or | •Incorrect use of chlorine bleach. | •May be irreversible if rips, tears and | •Never pour chlorine bleach directly on |
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| snags | •Unfastened | zippers, hooks, | seams cannot be mended. | fabric. |
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| buckles. |
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| •Check condition of items before washing. |
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| •Rips, tears and broken threads. |
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| See Washing Procedures for preparing |
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| •Overloading | the | washer. |
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| and loading the wash load and adding |
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| •Degradation | of | fabric. |
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| chlorine bleach. |
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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 | preparing the wash load. |
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| •Overloading | the | washer. | amount of detergent. | •Do not overload washer. |
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| •Not | enough detergent. | •Add | nonprecipitating water conditioner | •Use correct temperature and amount of |
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| •Undissolved detergent has left a | to wash water to remove detergent | detergent, water and wash time. |
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| residue resembling lint. | residue. |
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| •Add liquid fabric softener to final rinse. |
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| •Static cling is attracting lint. |
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| •Dry load in dryer. |
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| •Load washed too long. |
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| •Remove lint with lint brush or roller. |
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| Pilling | •Pilling is normal with synthetic and | •Use a lint brush or shaver to remove | •Use fabric softener in the washer to |
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| permanent press fabrics. This is |
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| (Fibers break off, | due to abrasion from normal | pills. |
| lubricate fibers. |
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| ball up and cling to | wear. |
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| •When ironing, use spray starch or fabric |
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| fabric.) |
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| finish on collars and cuffs. |
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•Turn items inside out to reduce abrasion.
| •Undissolved | detergent. | •Rewash load. |
Residue or powder •Some granular detergents can |
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on dark items; | combine with hard water |
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stiff, |
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minerals to form a residue. |
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harsh fabrics. |
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•Overloading | the washer. |
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•Increase water temperature using hottest water safe for fabric.
•Do not overload washer.
•Use liquid detergent or use nonprecipitating water conditioner with granular detergent.
Wrinkling | •Overloading the washer. |
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| •Incorrect wash cycle for wash |
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•Reduce load size.
•Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric softener using the permanent 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 •Wash time too short.
body soil on | •Wash water | temperature too | |
synthetic fabrics | |||
low. |
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| •Not enough | detergent. |
•Soak in detergent booster or product containing enzymes.
•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.
•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 | |
rust stains | ||
supply, water pipes, or water | ||
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| 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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