Laundry Lint Concerns and Solutions

The following information are possible causes of excessive lint and solutions.

LINT FILTER IS DIRTY

Solution:

 

UNDISSOLVED GRANULAR DETERGENT may leave white powdery residue on fabrics, which can be mistaken for lint. Feel lint deposit by rubbing between fingers. If the residue is from detergent, it will spread out. This usually increases during winter months because of water temperatures being colder.

Solutions:

  • Add detergent and start the washer before adding clothes so that the detergent can dissolve completely & work effectively.
  • Reduce the amount of detergent
  • Increase wash water temperature.
  • Change to a liquid detergent.

SORTING: Mixing "lint producing" fabrics with "lint collecting" fabrics allows lint to transfer to other garments, instead of being trapped in the lint filter. This is one of the most frequently found causes of linting.

Solutions:

  • Separate lint producers (flannel, cotton knits, terry towels) from lint collectors (fuzzy, brushed fabrics, synthetic blends. ex. corduroy, acrylic blankets, children's sleepwear).
  • Separate dark colors from white and light-colored items.

LENGTH OF CYCLE: Washing (agitation) beyond what's necessary to clean clothes will generate lint.

Solution:

  • Shorten wash time (use medium or light soil wash) for smaller loads or lightly soiled garments to avoid washing clothes longer than needed.

WATER LEVEL: Setting the water level switch to a higher setting than needed will cause linting due to excessive movement of the clothes in the water

Solution:

  • Select a water level proper for the load.

LOAD SIZE: Overloading can prevent lint from being flushed away during the washing process as well as increase the effect of clothes rubbing against one another and generating lint.

Solution:

  • Loosely load clothes no higher than the top row of holes in the washer tub.

TOO MUCH BLEACH will damage fabric & cause excessive lint.

Solution:

  • Follow manufacturer's instructions on the amount of bleach to use.

TOO MUCH FABRIC SOFTENER will coat the fabric and make clothing stiff (rough to the touch). Fabric softener may chemically combine with detergent to form a deposit, which can be white.

Solutions:

  • To remove coating, wash and dry without fabric softener 3 times.
  • Use fabric softener only in rinse cycle, unless softener manufacturer specifies adding to wash cycle. Use your fabric softener dispenser (if your washer is so equipped.)

PILLING naturally occurs with polyester/cotton blends. The stronger man-made fibers, instead of breaking off, will collect and hold small bundles of fibers resulting in "pills". Lint becomes entangled in the "pills" and makes the lint appear more obvious.

Solution:

  • Turning the garments inside out may provide some protection.

 

ITEMS LEFT IN POCKETS such as paper, tissue, etc. can cause lint on clothes.

Solution:

  • Empty all pockets before laundering clothes.

 

For service, please schedule an appointment with GE Appliances Factory Service.