Common Washing Problems
Many washing problems involve poor soil and stain removal, residues of lint and scum, and fabric damage. For satisfactorywasMng results, follow these suggestions provided by The Soap and Detergent Association.
PROBLEM | POSSIBLE | CAUSES | |||
Blue stains | ,Detergent | or | liquid fabdc | softener | |
| did | not | dissolve or disperse, | ||
Discoloration, | ,Not | enough | detergent. |
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graying | ,Wash water | temperature | too low. | ||
| • Incorrect | sorting, |
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Greasy, oily stains | ,Not | enough | detergent. |
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| • Undiluted liquid fabric softener | ||||
| poured directly | on | fabric. | ||
Holes. tears, or | ,Incorrect | use | of | chlorine bleach. | |
snags | ,Unfastened | zippers, | hooks, | ||
| buckles, |
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| • Rips. tears and broken threads. | ||||
| • Overloading | the | washer. | ||
| ,Degradation | of | fabric, | ||
SOLUTIONS
,If caused by detergent, mix 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L)
water in a plastic containe_. Soak item 1 hour. Rinse.
• If caused by fabric softener, lub stah/s with bar soap. Wash.
,Rewash with correct amount of detergent and hottest water safe for fabric. Add bleach safe for fabric,
,Treat with prewash stain remover or liquid detelgent,
,increase detergent and water temperature. Rewash.
• Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap.
,May be irreversible if rips. tears and seams cannot be mended.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
,Add detergent befole wash load. Then start washer.
,Dilute fabric softener with water.
,Sort items by soil level and color.
,Use correct amount of detergent, hottest water and bleach safe for fabric.
,Use correct amount of detergent and hottest water safe for fabric.
,Do not pour liquid fabric softener directly on fabric See package directions or Washing Procedures for proper diluting.
,Never pour chlodne bleach directly on fabric.
,Check condition of items before washing. See Washing Procedures for preparing and loading the wash load.
Lint | ,incorrect | sorting. |
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| ,Tissues | left | in | pocket, | ||
| • Overloading | the | washer, | |||
| • Not | enough | detergent. | |||
| ,Undissolved | detergent has left | ||||
| lesidue. |
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| • Static cling is attlacting lint. | |||||
| ,Load | washed | too | Iollg. | ||
,Reduce load size. Rewash using correct water temperature, water level, and amount of detergent.
,Add nonprecipitating water conditioner to wash water,
,Add liquid fabric softener to final rinse. ,Dry load in dryer.
,Remove lint with lint brush or roller.
,See Washing Procedures for sorting and preparing the wash load.
,Do not overload washer.
,Use correct amount of detergent, water temperatule and water level.
Pifling
(Fibers break off, ball up and cling to fabric}
• Pilling is normal with synthetic and
permanent press fabrics. This is due to abrasion from normal
wear.
•Use a lint brush or shaver to remove pills. ,Use fabric softener in the washer to lubricate fibers.
,When ironing, use spray starch or fabric fhlish on collars a_ld cuffs.
,Turn items inside out to reduce abrasion.
Residue or powder on dark items; Stiff, harsh fabrics.
Wrinkling
Yellow buildup of body soil on synthetic fabrics
• Undissolved detergent.
,Some nonphosphate granular
detergents can combine with hard water minerals to form a residue.
,Overloadhlg the washer.
,Agitation time too short.
,Wash water temperature too low. ,Not enough detergent.
• Reduce load s_ze.
,Add dissolved detergent to tub . Rewash load.
•Mix 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar to 1
gallon (3.8 L) warm water in plastic container. Soak item. Rinse and rewash.
,Reduce load size.
•Rinse in cold water with liquid fabric softener.
•Soak in detergent booster or product containing enzymes.
•Wash in hot water (120%/49°0 using full permanent p_ess cycle. Increase detergent. Add bleach safe for fabric.
•Or. treat with color remover.
,Increase water temperature using hottest water safe for fabric.
,Do not overload washer.
,Use liquid detergent or use nonpredpitating water conditioner with nonphosphate granular detergent.
,Do not overload washer.
,Remove items from washer as soon as
cycle is completed.
,Use liquid fabric softener.
,Wash synthetics frequently using water at least 100% (37°C) a_d correct water level.
Yellow or brown rust stah_s
,Iron or manganese in water supply, water pipes, or water heater.
,To | restore discolored | bad of | whites, use ,Use nonprecipitating | water softener. |
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rust remover safe for fabric. |
| ,Before | washing, | run | hot | water | for | a | few | ||||
Do | not use | chlorine | bleach | to remove | minutes to | clear | lines. |
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rust | stains. | It may intensify |
| ,Drain | water | heater | occasionally. |
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discoloration. |
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| ,For an | ongoing | problem, | install | an | iron | filter | |||
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| En your water supply system. |
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