From Consumer Science and Information Center ¤ Maytag Appliances 403 W. 4th Street N. ¥ Newton, IA˚50208 ¥ 641-787-8402

LINTING/PILLING

Q: How do I tell the difference between linting OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES and pilling? What are the causes and how do I eliminate each. 1. Improper Sorting

A: Lint is small fibers of certain fabric that have Lint givers such as terry cloth and chenille broken off during wear or laundering. Some lint will should not be washed with lint catchers such as always be created by the washing process. corduroy, velveteen and most manufactured However, the majority of lint that is produced during fabrics (polyester, acrylic or nylon). washing is trapped by lint filters on the washer and flushed down the drain during the spin portion of the 2. Overloading cycle. Overloading the washer causes abrasion which The amount of lint produced is dependent on the creates excessive lint. Clothes should have type of material. However, no fabric produces plenty of room to circulate during washing and enough lint to cause problems in septic tank rinsing. If using a top loading washer, place dry systems or other on-site water disposal systems. clothes loosely in the tub to the top row of holes for a maximum load. In addition, it is important Pilling is a characteristic of manufactured fibers to use plenty of water for the size of the load. such as polyester, acrylic, and nylon. Abrasion from To avoid overloading in a front load washer, do normal wear causes the fibers to unravel and the not pack clothes tightly into the tumbler. loose ends ball up on the fabric surface. The looser However, the tumbler can be loaded the fibers are spun, the more likely the fabric will pill. completely full.

LINTING 3. Amount of Detergent

Lint is easily brushed off fabrics unlike residue Detergent helps hold lint and dirt in suspension or pilling. Excessive lint is usually due to reasons during the wash cycle. The amount of other than the washer design or a mechanical detergent is critical to good results. If the water malfunction. However, low water pressure or is soft (0-4 grains per gallon), use less improper draining can increase lint. Check the detergent than the label suggests; half the following: amount. If the water is of average hardness (5- 9 grains per gallon), use the amount •Water Pressure - As the washer is filling observe recommended on the detergent package or the water pressure when hot and cold are slightly less depending on the soil level of the selected. If one seems to have less pressure, load. If the water is hard (10 grains and check the fill hoses for kinks and the screens in above), use extra detergent. If the water is very the hoses for sediment build up. hard, add Calgon or Spring Rain* along with the detergent. The local water utility or County • Draining - Fill a top load washer with water (no Extension office can determine water load). Manually advance the dial to "spin." Time hardness. 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. In a front load washer, check for a more . . . pinched or kinked drain hose.

FORM NO. 703CG-0997 Printed in U.S.A. 4. Amount of Wash Time PILLING

Long wash time may create more lint, especially Pilling is commonly found on socks, sweaters, with some types of fabrics. Select a 7-10 slacks, shirt collars and cuffs, around pockets or on minute wash time for normally soiled items. For any area subjected to abrasion. Since heavily soiled items 10-12 minutes should be manufactured fibers are very strong, the pills do not selected and for lightly soiled items select 5 break off completely and can be difficult to remove. minutes. In addition, lint can become enmeshed in the balls of fiber which makes the pilling appear more 5. Static Cling obvious.

Static electricity increases the tendency of Natural fibers like cotton, linen, or wool may pill but manufactured fibers to attract and hold lint. The the balls of fiber are usually removed during regular use of fabric softener will make clothes laundering. The lint that results is usually rinsed softer and smoother and will also reduce linting, away at the end of the wash cycle. However, some wrinkling and static cling. of the lint from these natural fibers can be picked up by items that attract lint if they are washed or 6. Using a Water-Saver Washer (select models) dried in the same load.

When using a water-saver washer, colored TO MINIMIZE permanent press and knits may attract lint from water used in previous loads. For best results, 1. Turn susceptible garments inside out before start with a fresh fill for these loads. laundering. This will help minimize abrasion on the fabric surface. TO REMOVE 2. Load a top load washer loosely to the top row Relaunder the garments using proper laundry of holes in the washtub for a maximum load. In procedures. Dryer dry if possible. If the lint is not addition, use at least the medium water fill entirely removed, use a lint brush to remove the when laundering permanent press, knits and remaining lint. delicates. This will minimize the abrasion that causes pilling. A front load washer can be MISTAKEN FOR LINT loaded completely full. The IntelliFill device will 1. Residue provide the correct amount of water.

Residue is a white substance left on the clothes 3. Use a shorter wash time for items that have a at the end of the wash cycle. It is not easily tendency to pill, unless they are heavily soiled. brushed off and over time colors may become 4. Wash permanent press, knits, and other fabrics dull. Residue has many causes: using granular that have a tendency to pill in separate loads detergents in cold water, overloading, misuse of from items that have a tendency to lint. fabric softener and not adjusting detergent amount to fit water hardness. Detergent 5. Use a fabric softener to reduce static and amount is decreased in soft water. (See Form prevent lint from clinging to the fabrics. No. 705CG for further information.) * Brand names are trademarks of the respective manufacturers.