PROBLEM
LINT
OR RESIDUE
ON CLOTHES
GREASY OR OILY
STAINS ON
LAUNDERED
GARMENTS
GRAYED CLOTHES
POSSIBLE CAUSE
● Incorrect sorting of clothes. Separate lint producers (such as terry towels and chenille)
from lint receivers (such as man-made fabrics, velveteen, corduroy).
c
Washing too long, especially for smaller loads. For normal soil, wash one minute
per pound of dry clothes.
Q
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 a packaged water softener.
● Powdery residue from granular detergent may appear to be lint. Predissolve 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 will 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.
● 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.
● Pilling usually on polyester-cotton blends is caused by normal wear and may look
like lint. Turning clothes inside-out may provide some help.
● Static electricity caused by overdying will 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 not caused by the washer. Wash synthetic garments as soon
as possible after wearing. Use more detergent than
norrnd 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.
● 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, if water level is large
or if water is Hard to Extremely Hard.
● Water not hot enough for type of load. Be sure water heater is set to deliver hot water
to the washer at
140°F.–1500F.
(60°C.+50C.). Do not wash when other hot water
needs—such as
dishwashing
or family baths—are heavy.
● Poor or inferior detergent. Change to phosphate detergent, if possible. Follow
these steps:
1. Use water conditioner (such as
Calgon
brand).
2. Pretreat stains.
3. Use the hottest water possible.
4. Use bleach where possible.
5. Use presoak aids.
6. Install water softener.
● Washer overloaded. Clothes cannot move freely to loosen and remove soil,
causing gray appearance. Follow correct loading procedures for size of load.
(cc,ntinued
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