Washer & Dryer - Lint Concerns and Solutions

The following information will help resolve concerns with excessive lint in your laundry.

 

Diagnosing Excessive Lint in a Washer or Dryer

Lint Filter Is Dirty

Solution:

 

Undissolved Granular Detergent

Undissolved detergent may leave a white powdery residue on fabrics, which can be mistaken for lint. Feel the lint deposit by rubbing between your 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 and work effectively.
  • Reduce the amount of detergent.
  • Increase the 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 such as flannel, cotton knits, and terry towels from lint collectors such as fuzzy, brushed fabrics or synthetic blends like corduroy, acrylic blankets or children's sleepwear.
  • Separate dark colors from white and light-colored items.
  • If the above solutions do not help, then add Deep Rinse (on equipped models).
  • If the above solutions do not help, then add Extra Rinse (on equipped models).

 

Length of Cycle

Washing (agitation) beyond what's necessary to clean the clothes will generate lint.

 

Solution:

 
  • Shorten the wash time by using a 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

Using a lot of bleach will damage fabric fibers and cause excessive lint.

 

Solution:

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

Too Much Fabric Softener

Using too much fabric softener will coat the fabric and make clothing stiff or 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 the rinse cycle unless the softener manufacturer specifies adding to the wash cycle. Use your fabric softener dispenser, if your washer is so equipped.

Pilling

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

Items such as papers or tissue left in garments can cause lint on clothes.

 

Solution:

 
  • Empty all pockets before laundering clothes.

Additional Appliance Support

Should you require service for your washer or dryer, please schedule a repair appointment with Bodewell.