Washing laundry is not always simple and sometime clothes end up with bobbling or faded colour. This post discusses why common laundry problems happen and how to prevent them.

1. Poor Stain Removal Results

Why this Happens?

• Not treating stains quickly enough.

• Overfilling machine with too much laundry for the amount of detergent dosed.

• Washing on a gentle cycle and/or at the wrong temperature.

• You are not using enough detergent.

How to Prevent

• Any stain is more likely to be removed entirely if it is soaked in cold water before it has had time to set.
• Leave a hand’s width gap between the wash load and the top of the drum. Also make sure you are dosing correctly, taking into consideration the amount of dirt and water hardness.
• If the garment care labels allow, use a stronger wash cycle.
• Remember to use more detergent for bigger wash loads especially if you have a washing machine with a bigger drum.

2.  Detergent Residues

Why this Happens?

• The washing machine is overloaded.

• Low water pressure in your

  home may mean that some of

  the detergent has not been fully

  flushed into the machine during

  the wash process. This leaves

  detergent in the drawer which

  can be flushed into the machine

  during rinsing.

How to Prevent

• Leave a hand’s width of space between the wash load and the top of the drum.
• Make sure all detergent is flushed into the drum during the wash fill.

How to Treat

• Rewash the effected garments with no detergent, making sure they are part of a small load.

3. Lack of Softness

Why this Happens?

• Blocked siphon in the fabric conditioner compartment.

• Overfilling fabric conditioner

  beyond the ‘Maximum’

  indicator.

How to Prevent

• Open the

  compartment by lifting out the cover to expose the siphon.

  Clean residues by running the compartment under a

   hot tap.

  Scrubbing with an old toothbrush may help.

• Never fill beyond the ‘Maximum’ indicator. If you do fill beyond the ‘Maximum’ level indicator, this triggers immediate release of the fabric conditioner, which means it will interfere with how well the detergent cleans. As a result, you won’t get any of the benefits of using a fabric conditioner.

4. Colour Related Issues

Why this Happens?

• Colours will bleed if the wash temperature is too hot. Sometimes dyes can bleed even in very cold water.

• The garment has unstable

  dyes that need special care.

• Sometime garments begin to look old as prints can be rubbed off or scratched by the friction of washing and wearing.

How to Prevent

• Always check the fabric care label for the manufacturer’s washing recommendations.
• Try sorting into whites, light colours, dark colours and delicates.
• If in doubt, test for colour fastness before washing. If the garment is not colour fast it should be washed separately.
• Turn any printed garments inside out before washing to reduce abrasion.
• Avoid overloading your machine to ensure partially dissolved powder or tablets do not get trapped against the surface of a sensitive coloured garment.

How to Treat

• Re-dying may restore the original colour.
  

5. Dispenser Residues

Why this Happens?

• Spills when pouring detergent and/or fabric conditioner into the dispenser.
• Mould/mildew can build up over time where there have been residues (residues from detergents and/or fabric conditioner provide food and moist conditions – ideal for bacteria to live on!).

• Low water pressure supplied

  to the washing machine.

How to Prevent

• Take care when adding and if spills do occur, try flushing them straight away with a cup of tap water.
• Clean dispenser compartments under a hot tap. Scrubbing with an old toothbrush may help. Clean your dispenser on a regular basis.

• Check the installation guidelines in

  your washing machine booklet.

• For Tablets/Liquitabs and Gel

  detergents, try adding directly into the

  drum. For Tablets/Liquitabs; place in the

  empty drum, then place laundry on top.

  For Gels; place the filled cap on the

  top of your laundry.

6. Underarm Stains

Why this Happens?

• Occurs when perspiration reacts with some underarm deodorant. Certain deodorants react differently to others.

How to Prevent

• Changing your brand of deodorant may avoid the problem.

How to Treat

• Soak overnight in water containing peroxide bleach making sure the solution does not dry on the fabric as this can cause damage to colours. Rinse and wash as normal, following the fabric care label. Soaking or washing immediately after wearing will help the detergent remove the stain.

7. Smells from your washing machine after a wash.

Why this Happens?

• Dirt removed from clothes can remain inside the washing machine creating an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. In the dark, warm and damp interior of a washing machine, fast breeding bacteria can begin to release unpleasant smells. In extreme cases these smells are transferred to the clothes in your wash.

How to Prevent

• Carry out a maintenance wash (60°C or more – 90°C recommended) once a month with no clothes in the machine and with a bleach-containing laundry detergent.
• Sometimes mould can appear (particularly under the rim) and this might not get washed off during your maintenance wash. All you need to do is simply wipe around the door seal (inside and out) with a damp cloth, then run your maintenance wash as usual.

8. Bobbling and Fading

Why this Happens?

• When cotton or cotton-rich garments are washed and worn repeatedly the friction causes fibres to break, leaving ‘bobbles’ on the surface.
• Fading of fabrics happens mainly with cotton. Repeated washing and wearing can cause some dyes to lose their intensity. You can reduce the chances of this happening by choosing better quality dyes, fabrics and the correct detergent.

How to Prevent

• Turn susceptible garmets (such as sweatshirts, jumpers, etc.) inside out whilst washing, drying and ironing.
• Always check the fabric care labels for the manufacturer’s washing recommendations.
• Use Ariel Liquid to reduce fading and help keep you clothes looking newer for longer.

How to Treat

• Bobbling’ can be removed by brushing, cutting or picking ‘bobbles’ from the fabric. There is no treatment for fading once it has happened, although fabrics can be redyed.

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For more Laundry Savvy advice visit www.brilliantwashing.com