| PROBLEM | CommonWashingProblems | PREVENTIVEMEASURES | |||||||
|
| SOLUTIONS | ||||||||
| Many washing problemsPOSSIBLEinvolve poorCAUSESsoil and stain removal, residues of lint and scum, and fabric damage. For satisfactory | |||||||||
| w shing results, follow these suggestions provided by The Soap and Detergent Association. |
| ||||||||
| Bluestains |
|
|
| ||||||
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
| Discoloration, | •Undiluted liquid detergent or fabric | •If caused by detergent, mix 1 cup (240 ml) | •Avoid overfilling detergent and fabric softener | ||||||
| softener dispensed directly onto | white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L) water in a | compa tments of dispenser. | |||||||
| fabric. | Rewash. |
|
| fabric See WashingProceduresfor | |||||
| plastic container. Soak item 1 hour. Rinse. |
|
| |||||||
|
| •If caused by fabric softener, rub stains with |
|
| ||||||
|
| bar soap. Wash. |
|
|
| |||||
graying | •Not enough detergent. | •Rewash with correct amount of detergent | •Sort items by soil level nd lor. | |||||||
•Rips, tears and broken threads. | and hottest water safe for fabric. Add | •Use | Procedures for preparing and | |||||||
•Wash water temperature too low. | rrect amount of detergent, hottest | |||||||||
| Greasy,oilystains | •Incorrect sorting. | bleach safe for fabric. | water and bleach safe for fabric. | ||||||
Holes,tears,or | •Not enough detergent. | •Treat with prewash stain remover or liquid | •Use c | rrect amo nt of deterg nt and hottest | ||||||
•Undiluted liquid fabric softener | detergent. |
|
| water safe f fabric. | ||||||
poured directly on fabric. | •Increase detergent and water temperature. | •onDonotpour.liquidfabricsoftenrdirectly | ||||||||
| •Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap. | directions on ad ing oftener. | ||||||||
•Incorrect use of chlorine bleach. | •May be irreversible if rips, tears and seams | •Never pour chlo ine bleach directly on fabric. | ||||||||
snags | •Unfastened zippers, hooks, buckles. | cannot be mended. | •CheckWashingcondition f items before washing. See | |||||||
|
| Lint |
| •Overloading the washer. |
|
|
|
| loading t e wash load and adding chlorine | |
|
|
| •Degradation of fabric. |
|
|
|
| bleach. | ||
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Pilling | •Incorrect sorting. | •Reduce load size. Rewash using correct | •See WashingProceduresfor sorting and | |||||||
|
| •Tissues left in pocket. | water temperature, water level, and | preparing the wash load. | ||||||
|
| •Overloading the washer. | amount of detergent. | •Do not overload washer. | ||||||
|
| •Not enough detergent. | •Add nonprecipitating water conditioner to | •Use correct temperature and amount of | ||||||
|
| •Undissolved detergent has left a | wash water to remove detergent residue. | detergent, water and wash time. | ||||||
|
| residue resembling lint. | • Add liquid fabric softener to final rinse. |
|
| |||||
|
| •Static cling is attracting lint. | •Dry load in dryer. |
|
|
| ||||
|
| •Load washed too long. | •Remove lint with lint brush or roller. |
|
| |||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
| •Pilling is normal with synthetic and | •Use a lint brush or shaver to remove pills. | •Use fabric softener in the washer to lubricate | |||||||
(Fibers break off, ball | permanent press fabrics. This is due |
|
|
|
| fibers. |
| |||
up a | cl ng to | to abrasion from normal wear. |
|
|
|
| •When ironing, use spray starch or fabric finish | |||
fabricWrinklingStiff,ondarkitems;.harsh) orpowderfabrics. |
|
|
|
|
| on collars and cuffs. | ||||
|
| Residue |
|
|
|
|
| •Turn items inside out to reduce abrasion. | ||
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
| •Undissolved detergent. | •Rewash load. |
| •Increase water temperature using hottest | ||||||
|
|
|
| •Some nonphosphate granular |
|
|
|
| water safe for fabric. | |
|
|
|
| detergents can combine with hard |
|
|
|
| •Do not overload washer. | |
|
|
|
| water minerals to form a residue. |
|
|
|
| •Use liquid detergent or use nonprecipitating | |
|
|
|
| •Overloading the washer. |
|
|
|
| water conditioner with nonphosphate | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| granular detergent. | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Yellowbuildupof | •Overloading the washer. | •Reduce load size. |
| •Do not overload washer. | ||||||
•Incorrect wash cycle for wash load. | •Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric | •Remove items from washer as soon as cycle is | ||||||||
| softener using the P rm Press or Delicate | completed. | ||||||||
| cycle. |
| chlorine | minutes to clear lines. | ||||||
|
|
|
| •Use liquid fabric softener. | ||||||
•Agitation time too short. | •Soak in det | rgent boost r or pr duct | •Select correct wash cycle. | |||||||
bodysoilon | •Wash water temperature too low. | containing | nzy | es. | •Use correct amount of detergent. | |||||
syntheticfabrics | •Not enough detergent. | •Wash | hot water (120°F/49°C) using full | •Wash synthetics frequently using hot or warm | ||||||
Yelloworbrown |
| permane t press | cle. Increase d tergent. | water. |
| |||||
| Add bleach safe for fa ric. |
|
| |||||||
| •Or, tre | t w th color r mover. |
|
| ||||||
•Iron or manganese in water supply, | •To re | re discol | ed load of whit s, use | •Use nonprecipitating water softener. | ||||||
rust | stains | water pipes, or water heater. | discolorationruDonotuseremov .rItsafe.mayintensifyfor fabricbleach. toremove | •Before washing, run hot water for a few | ||||||
|
|
|
|
| stains |
|
| •Drain water heater occasionally. | ||
•For an ongoing problem, install an iron filter in your water supply system.
9
