Common Washing Problems
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
Blue stains • Undiluted liquid de-
tergent or fabric soft-
ener dispensed directly
onto fabric.
Discolor-
• Not enough detergent.
ation,
• Wash water
graying
temperature too low.
• Incorrect sorting.
Greasy,
• Not enough detergent.
oily stains
• Undiluted liquid fabric
softener poured
directly on fabric.
Holes,
• Incorrect use of
tears, or
chlorine bleach.
snags
• Unfastened zippers,
hooks, and buckles.
• Rips, tears, and broken
threads.
• Overloading washer.
• Degradation of fabric.
Lint
• Incorrect sorting.
• Tissues left in pocket.
• Overloading washer.
• Not enough detergent.
• Undissolved detergent
has left residue resem-
bling lint.
• Static cling attracting
lint.
• Load washed too long.
Solutions
• If caused by detergent, mix
1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar
with 1 quart (.95 L) water in a
plastic container. Soak item
for 1 hour, then rinse.
• If caused by fabric softener,
rub with bar soap and
rewash.
• Rewash with correct
amount of detergent
and hottest water safe
for fabric.
• Add bleach safe for fabric.
• Treat with prewash stain
remover or liquid detergent.
• Increase detergent and wa-
ter temperature. Rewash.
• Rub fabric softener stains
with bar soap and rewash.
• See Washer Operating In-
structions .
• May be irreversible if rips,
tears, and seams cannot
be mended.
• See Washer Operating
Instructions .
• Reduce load size. Rewash
using correct water
temperature, water level,
and amount of detergent.
• Add non precipitating water
conditioner to wash water
to remove detergent residue.
• Add fabric softener to final
rinse.
• Dry load in dryer.
• Remove lint with lint brush
or roller.
16
Preventive
Measures
• Add detergent
to empty tub.
DO NOT pour
on dry load.
• Avoid overfilling
fabric softener
compartment
of dispenser.
• 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.
• DO NOT pour
chlorine bleach
directly on
fabric.
• Check condition
of items before
washing.
• Follow Washer
Operating In-
structions, steps.
• DO NOT
overload
washer.
• Use correct
temperature,
amount of
detergent, water,
and wash time.