REDEPOSITED SOILS
Soil redeposition can also be mistaken for lint. Soil redeposition may look like a
DETERGENT RESIDUE
Some powdered detergents react with the minerals in hard water to form a whitish residue that can also be mistaken for lint. Some powdered detergents may not completely dissolve (especially with cool wash water), which can be mistaken for lint.
How to prevent lint
1. Sort carefully
Separate “lint givers”, such as chenille, towels, flannel, sweaters, etc., from “lint takers”. Very old and very new items may produce more lint than other items. If loads cannot be sorted properly, expect some lint.
2. Use enough detergent
Use enough detergent to help hold loose lint in the water until it can be flushed away. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to determine how much detergent is enough for your washer and clothes load.
3. Don’t overload the washer
Overloading causes excess abrasion of fabrics, which increases linting and pilling. Clothes also need to be able to move in the wash and rinse water so loose lint can be carried away. Make sure to select a water level that is correct for the load size being washed.
4. Shorten washing time
Shorten the wash time for smaller load sizes and for lightly soiled loads.
5. Use a dryer
The tumbling action of a clothes dryer shakes lint loose and allows it to collect in the lint screen. Avoid overdrying to prevent excess buildup of static electricity on synthetic fabrics. Static electricity on fabrics attracts lint.
6. Don’t overload the dryer
Clothes must tumble freely so loose lint can shake free and be collected in the lint screen.
