46
TROUBLESHOOTING
PROBLEM
POSSIBLE CAUSES
SOLUTIONS
PREVENTIVE
MEASURES
Pilling
(Fibers 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
washer to lubricate
fibers.
• When ironing, use
spray starch or fabric
finish on collars and
cuffs.
• Turn items inside out to
reduce abrasion.
Residue or
powder on dark
items;
Stiff, harsh
fabrics.
• Undissolved detergent.
• Some granular
detergents can
combine with hard
water minerals to form
a residue.
• Overloading washer.
• Rewash load.
• Increase water
temperature using
hottest water safe for
fabric.
• DO NOT overload
washer.
• Use liquid detergent
or nonprecipitating
water conditioner with
powder detergent.
Wrinkling
• Overloading washer.
• Incorrect wash cycle
for wash load.
• Reduce load size.
• Rinse in cold water
with liquid fabric
softener using the
casual or delicate
cycle.
• DO NOT overload
washer.
• Remove items from
washer as soon as
cycle is completed.
• Use liquid fabric
softener.
Yellow buildup
of body soil on
synthetic fabrics
• Agitation time too
short.
• Wash water
temperature too low.
• Not enough detergent.
• Soak in detergent
booster or product
containing enzymes.
• Wash in hottest water
safe for fabric using
casual cycle.
• Increase detergent.
• Add bleach safe for
fabric or treat with
color remover.
• Select correct cycle.
• Use correct amount of
detergent.
• Wash synthetics
frequently using hot or
warm water.
Yellow or brown
rust stains
• Iron or manganese in
water supply, water
pipes, or water heater.
• To restore discolored
load of whites, use rust
remover safe for fabric.
• DO NOT use chlorine
bleach to remove rust
stains. It may intensify
discoloration.
• Use nonprecipitating
water softener.
• Before washing, run hot
water for a few minutes
to clear lines.
• Drain water heater
occasionally.
• For an ongoing
problem, install an
iron filter in your water
supply system.
