PROBLEM
LINT OR RESIDUE
ON CLOTHES
GREASY OR OILY
STAINS ON
LAUNDERED
GARMENTS
GRAYED CLOTHES
QUESTIONS?
USE THIS PROBLEM SOLVER
POSSIBLE CAUSE
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Incorrect sorting of clothes. Separate lint producers (such as terry towels and
chenille) from lint receivers (such as man made fabrics, velveteen, corduroy).
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Washing too long, especially for smaller loads. For normal soil, wash one minute
per pound of dry clothes.
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 use a
packaged water softener.
Powdery residue from granular detergent may appear to be lint.
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
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.
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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.
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Pilling usually on
blends is caused by normal wear and may look
like lint. Turning clothes inside-out may provide some help.
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Static electricity caused by overdying
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
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.
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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, or if water is
Hard to Extremely Hard.
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Water not hot enough for type of load. Be sure water heater is set to deliver hot
water at the washer at
Do not wash when other hot
water needs—such as
or family baths-are heavy.
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Poor or inferior detergent. Change to phosphate detergent, if possible. Follow
steps:
1. Use water conditioner (such as
brand).
2. Pretreat stains.
3. Use the hottest water possible.
4. Use bleach where possible.
5. Use presoak aids.
6.
water softener.
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Washer overloaded. Clothes cannot move freely to
and remove soil, causing
gray appearance. Follow correct loading procedures for size of load.
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