White Residue on Clothing
Possible Solutions
White Residue on Clothing
- Interaction of body soils with detergent, most frequently found on workout clothing or activewear
- Excessive lint
- Excess detergent
- Non-high efficiency (HE) detergent
- Detergent build-up in the washer
- Home water quality
- Too cold water
Interaction of body soils
The interaction of somebody soils with detergent may result in the formation of a white residue. This residue might accumulate within the folds and wrinkles of garments or be widely distributed throughout the fabric load. Warmer water and washing mixed loads (e.g., pieces of cotton mixed with synthetic garments) may exacerbate this residue. To help reduce this residue, follow these tips, depending on your washer's cycles:
- Use cycles including Heavy Duty, PowerWash, Deep Water Wash, and Whites, where available.
- Where applicable, avoid gentler cycles, such as Delicates, Casuals, and ColorLast.
- Use the Extra Power option if available
- Select cooler temperatures when acceptable for the fabric you are washing
- Select higher soil levels (e.g., Heavy, Extra Heavy) when acceptable for the fabric you are washing.
- Select the extra rinse option.
- Always use the correct amount of HE detergent.
Excessive lint
Excess detergent
Using a non-high-efficiency (HE) detergent
Using a non-HE detergent in an HE washer may result in white "clumps" of undissolved detergent. Rewashing clothing items should remove these clumps, and running items through the dryer will also help. Always use only HE detergent. Non-high-efficiency (HE) detergent is not recommended.
Is the water too cold?
This symptom is more common if you are using powdered detergent. It also happens more frequently during cold months in northern climates.
If your washer water is too cold, it may not properly dissolve detergent, resulting in white "clumps" of detergent on clothing. Rewashing clothing items should remove these clumps. Running items through the dryer will also help remove these clumps. If using a cold water wash, ensure your water temperature is at least 60 degrees to dissolve detergent properly. Your washer should also regulate the cold water temperature by adding hot water to bring the temperature up. Run hot water in the sink closest to the washer to help ensure that hot water runs through the water lines near the washer.
Please see your Owner's Manual for more information regarding the cycles on your machine.
Was the correct cycle and settings selected?
Cycle selection is key to getting your clothes clean and fresh. Each cycle is an optimized combination of three main factors: agitation/tumbling speed, spin speed, and water temperature, all tailored for different fabric types and soil levels.
TEMPERATURE: Temperature Control senses and maintains uniform water temperatures by regulating incoming hot and cold water. Select a wash temperature based on the type of fabric and soils being washed. For best results, follow the garment label instructions and use the warmest wash water safe for your fabric. Warm and hot water may be cooler than what your previous washer provided. Even for cold wash settings, some warm water may be added to the washer to maintain a minimum temperature.
SOIL LEVEL: Soil Level (wash time) is preset for each wash cycle. As you touch the soil level pad, the cycle time (in minutes) will increase or decrease in the estimated time remaining displayed, and a different wash time will be displayed. Select the most suitable setting for your load. For heavily soiled items, select Extra Heavy Soil Level or the Extra Power button for more wash time. For lightly soiled items, select Light Soil Level for less wash time. Lighter soil level setting will help reduce tangling and wrinkling.
SPIN SPEED This washer automatically selects the spin speed according to the selected cycle. The preset speeds can be changed. Not all spin speeds are available with all cycles. Faster spin speeds mean shorter dry times, but may increase wrinkling in your load. Slower spin speeds mean less wrinkling, but could leave your load damper
Refer to the "Cycle Guide" in the Use and Care Manual for specific instructions on the items you are washing.
Does the washer need to be cleaned?
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