14
Common Drying Problems
Many drying problems involve poor cleaning results from washing, including poor soil and stain removal, residues of lint
and scum, and fabric damage. For satisfactory drying results, follow these suggestions provided by The Soap and Deter-
gent Association.
PROBLEM
POSSIBLE CAUSES
SOLUTIONS
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Greasy, oily
stains
• Fabric softener sheet.
• Rub fabric softener stains with bar
soap. Rinse and rewash.
• Add a few bath towels to small loads
for proper tumbling.
• Some “silk-like” fabrics should be air
dried.
• Use proper drying temperature.
• Place fabric softener sheet on top of
load before starting the dryer.
Lint
• Overloading.
• Overdrying causes static
electricity.
• Lint screen not clean when
cycle began.
• Lint “pills” clinging to fabric
• Reduce load size and rewash
using liquid fabric softener in the
fi
nal rinse.
• Or, add a fabric softener sheet
and tumble without heat.
• Use lint brush or roller to remove
lint.
• Do not overload dryer.
• Use fabric softener in washer or dryer
to reduce static electricity.
• Remove items when they are slightly
damp to avoid overdrying.
• Check that lint
fi
lter is clean and in
place.
Pilling
(Fibers break
o
ff
, ball up and
cling to fabric.)
• Overdrying.
• Use a lint brush or shaver to re-
move lint pills.
• Use fabric softener to lubricate
fi
bers.
• When ironing, use spray starch or fabric
fi
nish on collars and cu
ff
s.
• Turn items inside out to reduce abrasion.
Shrinking
• Temperature too high.
• Overdrying.
• Irreversible condition.
• Follow fabric care label directions.
• If shrinking is a concern, check load
often.
• Remove items while slightly damp and
hang or lay
fl
at to complete drying.
• Block knits into shape.
Wrinkling
• Overloading.
• Leaving items in dryer after
cycle ends.
• Reduce load size and tumble
at medium or low heat for 5-10
minutes.
• Remove items immediately. Hang
or fold.
• Do not overload dryer.
• Remove items as soon as cycle ends.
Solutions to Common Problems
