Reducing the Residue on Your Clothes Residue, which appears as white streaks on clothing or resembles lint, is often noticeable on clothes after they've been washed. Over time, clothes may feel rough and colors may become dull. There are several causes of residue. Residue can be caused by the detergents you use, or the way you do laundry. For instance: Detergents There have been many changes in detergents, especially since phosphates have been eliminated. Phosphates were used to soften water. In some detergents the ingredients used as substitutes for the phosphates do not do a good job of softening hard water. These ingredients tend to react with the minerals in the water to form a white residue. Generally most types of detergents will perform effectively in water that is soft (0-3 grains per gallon) or medium-hard (4-9 grains per gallon). When using hard water (10 grains per gallon and above), a high quality GRANULAR detergent containing aluminosilicates is recommended. If there is excess suds in the wash and/or rinse water, the amount and type of detergent used should be checked. Changing to a low-sudsing detergent is helpful. Some brand names include Tide HE*, Wisk HE*, FAB* and Ultra Ajax*. Visible suds in the wash water is NOT an indication of cleaning power. Incorrect Amount of Detergent Detergent is needed to hold lint and soil in suspension during the wash cycle. If the clothes are heavily soiled and the water is hard (more than 10 grains per gallon), use slightly more detergent. When the water is very hard, (above 14 grains per gallon) it may be necessary to add one-half cup of a packaged water conditioner such as Calgon or Spring Rain* along with the detergent. Likewise, it may be necessary to install a mechanical water softener for good results. If the load is lightly soiled and the water is fairly soft - 0-6 grains per gallon, less detergent is needed (up to half as much). Be aware of the amount markings for load sizes on detergent scoops and caps. In a top loading washer, detergent needs to go into the tub before the load for better dissolving and activation of the ingredients. Placing the detergent in the dispenser of a front loading washer provides for better dissolving and activation of ingredients. Cold Water Washing If a cold water wash is selected, washing results are decreased. Cold water affects how detergents dissolve. Granular detergents do not dissolve in cold water and may leave detergent residue on the wash load. It also affects the effectiveness of detergents. Detergents need a minimum water temperature of 65 degrees F. to activate the ingredients. Soil removal and soil suspension is very poor in cold water. Water Temperature Recommendations HOT (120-140 degrees F.) - white and heavily soiled colorfast items WARM (85-105 degrees F.) - most loads COLD (65-75 degrees F.) - only very bright colors with light soil Cold water below 65 degrees F. is not recommended for washing. NOTE: Detergent manufacturers and care labels define cold water as 80-85 F. If the temperature of water in the tub is too cold for your hands, the detergent will not activate and clean effectively. Overloading If there are too many items in the washload, the residue, soil and lint cannot be rinsed away and will instead be deposited on the fabrics. Once the washer has filled with water, the clothes need to have room to circulate in the washtub so detergent and suds do not get trapped in the folds of the fabric. In a top load washer, place dry clothes loosely in the washtub to the top row of holes. A front load washer can be loaded completely full but not packed tightly. Rinse-Added Fabric Softener A chemical reaction between rinse-added fabric softener, detergent and detergent suds may sometimes create a white deposit on clothes. It is important to dilute rinse-added fabric softener with warm water in the fabric softener dispenser cup. Clean any spilled detergent from the dispenser cup before adding fabric softener. It may be necessary to change to a low-sudsing detergent, switch to dryer-added fabric sheets or decrease use of fabric softener (do not use in every load). Mechanical Problems General Check the fill hoses for kinks and the screens in the fill hoses for sediment buildup. Both of these affect the water pressure. Decreased water pressure reduces the effectiveness of the spray rinses. Check for residue build-up in the washer. To clean, add 1 cup Calgon to a full tub of hot water, run through a cycle with no clothes, (Calgon will wash away any detergent deposits in between the tubs, etc.). Top Load Check the drain time. Fill the washer with water (no load). Manually advance the dial to "spin" or touch the Spin pad. Time for 90 seconds and open the lid to see if all the water is drained. If water remains in the tub, check the drain hose for kinks and the drain for a restriction. Increased drain time may cause redeposit of soil, lint, and residue and may effect spray rinses. Front Load Check the drain time. Fill the washer with water. Manually advance the dial to "spin". Time for 90 seconds and open the door to see if all the water is drained. Check for residue build-up in the washer and dispenser. To clean the washer, add 1 cup Calgon to the tub using hot water. Running the tub through a Regular cycle with no clothes should remove any detergents or laundry additives. To clean the dispenser, remove the bleach and fabric softener compartment from the dispenser area. Run warm water over the removed compartment and use a sponge or soft brush. If there is any build-up in the dispenser area, use a sponge or soft brush to clean the residue. *Brand names are trademarks of the respective manufacturers.