PROBLEM
LINT OR RESIDUE
ON CLOTHES
GREASY OR OILY
STAINS ON
LAUNDERED
GARMENTS
GRAYED CLOTHES
QUESTIONS?USE THIS PROBLEM SOLVER
POSSIBLE CAUSE
● Incorrect sorting of clothes. Separate lint producers (such as terry towels and
chenille) from lint receivers (such as man-made fabrics, velveteen, corduroy).
● Washing too long, especially for smaller loads. For normal soil, wash one
minute per pound of dry clothes.
Q
Use of non-phosphate detergents which combine with hardness minerals to
form a precipitate which can be mistaken for lint. Use a phosphate or liquid
detergent; use warmer wash water or soften water with an installed mechanical
softener or a packaged water softener.
● Powdery residue from granular detergent may appear to be lint.
Predissolve
granular detergent in hot water before adding to washer; make sure detergent is
completely dissolved before adding clothes; switch to liquid or cold water
detergent or use warmer wash water. See Detergent Guide.
● Overloading will cause abrasion which creates excessive lint. Wash fewer items
with correct water level.
● Too much bleach. Use correct amount of bleach according to package directions.
● Not enough detergent to hold lint in suspension during wash cycle. Increase
amount of detergent. See Detergent Guide.
● Incorrect use of fabric softener. If used in wash cycle, softeners may react with
detergent to create a white deposit. Use softeners in rinse cycle only unless
package specifies adding to wash cycle. See Other Laundry Products section.
● Pilling usually on polyester-cotton blends is caused by normal wear and may
look like lint. Turning clothes inside-out may provide some help.
● Static electricity caused by overdying
will
cause attraction. Use fabric softener
in rinse cycle.
These are sometimes called “Invisible Stains” because you may not notice them
before washing clothes. However, if oily soils are not completely removed in
wash cycle, the oily spots may pick up dirt from the wash water. The spots will
then be very visible. They are not caused by the washer. Wash synthetic garments
as soon as possible after wearing. Use more detergent than normal and hottest
water fabric can stand. If spots appear, rub in undiluted liquid detergent, let stand
30 minutes and rewash with extra detergent using hottest water fabric can stand.
●
Insufficient detergent. You may need to increase amount of detergent used if load
is larger than normal, if soils are oily or heavier than average, if water level is
large or if water is Hard to Extremely
Hard,
●
Water not hot enough for type of load. Be sure water heater is set to deliver hot
water to the washer at
140°F.–1500F.
(60°C.+50C.
). Do not wash when other
hot water needs—such as
dishwashing
or family baths—are heavy.
c
Poor or inferior detergent. Change to phosphate detergent, if possible. Follow
these steps:
1. Use water conditioner (such as
Calgon
brand).
2. Pretreat stains.
3. Use the hottest water possible.
4. Use bleach where possible.
5. Use presoak aids.
6. Install water softener.
● Washer overloaded. Clothes cannot move freely to loosen and remove soil,
causing gray appearance. Follow correct loading procedures for size of load.
(c(~ntinued
nexl
pu~e)
21