44
Common washing
inquiries
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
SOLUTIONS
PREVENTIVE
MEASURES
Blue stains
• Undiluted liquid
detergent or
fabric softener
dispensed
directly onto
fabric.
• 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.
• Add detergent to
empty tub. DO NOT
pour
on dry load.
• Avoid overfilling
fabric softener
compartment of
dispenser.
Discoloration,
graying
• Not enough
detergent.
• Wash water
temperature too
low.
• Incorrect sorting.
• Rewash with correct
amount of detergent
and hottest water safe
for fabric.
• Add bleach safe for
fabric.
• Sort items by soil
level and color.
• Use correct amount
of detergent, hottest
water, and bleach
safe for fabric.
Greasy, oily
stains
• Not enough
detergent.
• Undiluted liquid
fabric softener
poured directly
on fabric.
• Treat with prewash stain
remover or liquid
detergent.
• Increase detergent and
water temperature, and
rewash.
• Rub fabric softener
stains with bar soap and
rewash.
• Use correct amount
of detergent and
hottest water safe
for fabric.
• DO NOT pour liquid
fabric softener
directly on fabric.
See
Operating
Instructions.
Holes, tears,
or snags
• Incorrect use of
chlorine bleach.
• Unfastened
zippers, hooks,
and buckles.
• Rips, tears, and
broken threads.
• Overloading the
washer.
• Degradation of
fabric.
• May be irreversible if
rips, tears, and seams
cannot be mended.
• DO NOT pour
chlorine bleach
directly on fabric.
• Check condition
of items before
washing. See
Operating
Instructions.
Lint
• Incorrect sorting.
• Tissues left in
pocket.
• Overloading the
washer.
• Not enough
detergent.
• Undissolved
detergent has
left residue
resembling lint.
• Static cling is
attracting lint.
• Load washed too
long.
• 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.
• See
Operating
Instructions, steps.
• DO NOT overload
washer.
• Use correct
temperature,
amount of
detergent, water,
and wash time.
TROUBLESHOOTING