6
•Add detergent before 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 chlorine bleach directly on
fabric.
•Check condition of items before washing.
See
Washing Procedures
for preparing
and loading the wash load.
•See
Washing Procedures
for sorting and
preparing the wash load.
•Do not overload washer.
•Use correct amount of detergent, water
temperature and water level.
•Use fabric softener in the washer to
lubricate fibers.
•When ironing, use spray starch or fabric
finish on collars and cuffs.
•Turn items inside out to reduce abrasion.
•Increase water temperature using hottest
water safe for fabric.
•Do not overload washer.
•Use liquid detergent or use nonprecipitating
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°F (37°C ) and correct water level.
•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.
Common Washing Problems
SOLUTIONS
PROBLEM
•If caused by detergent, mix 1 cup (240 ml)
white vinegar with 1 quart (.95 L) water
in a plastic container. Soak item 1 hour.
Rinse.
•If caused by fabric softener, rub stains
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 detergent.
•Increase detergent and water
temperature. Rewash.
•Rub fabric softener stains with bar soap.
•May be irreversible if rips, tears and seams
cannot be mended.
•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.
•Use a lint brush or shaver to remove pills.
•Reduce load size.
•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°F/49°C) using full
permanent press cycle. Increase
detergent.
Add bleach safe for fabric.
•Or, treat with color remover.
•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.
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.
Blue stains
Discoloration,
graying
Greasy, oily stains
Holes, tears, or
snags
Lint
Pilling
(Fibers break off,
ball up and cling to
fabric)
Residue or powder
on dark items;
Stiff, harsh fabrics.
Wrinkling
Yellow buildup of
body soil on
synthetic fabrics
Yellow or brown
rust stains
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
•Detergent or liquid fabric softener
did not dissolve or disperse.
•Not enough detergent.
•Wash water temperature too low.
•Incorrect sorting.
•Not enough detergent.
•Undiluted liquid fabric softener
poured directly on fabric.
•Incorrect use of chlorine bleach.
•Unfastened zippers, hooks,
buckles.
•Rips, tears and broken threads.
•Overloading the washer.
•Degradation of fabric.
•Incorrect sorting.
•Tissues left in pocket.
•Overloading the washer.
•Not enough detergent.
•Undissolved detergent has left
residue.
•Static cling is attracting lint.
•Load washed too long.
•Pilling is normal with synthetic and
permanent press fabrics. This is due
to abrasion from normal wear.
•Undissolved detergent.
•Some nonphosphate granular
detergents can combine with hard
water minerals to form a residue.
•Overloading the washer.
•Agitation time too short.
•Wash water temperature too low.
•Not enough detergent.
•Iron or manganese in water supply,
water pipes, or water heater.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
