Clothes Having Grease Looking Stains After Washing.

Updated on April 22, 2011
K.K. asks from Bayonne, NJ
11 answers

Hi everyone. I started to notice that all of our clothes have grease looking stains on them after they are washed. Has anyone experienced this and what worked to get the stains out? I checked online and read that the washing maching or the dryer could be deteriorating. I am thinking of buying a new washing machine because our clothes are getting ruined. It is over 10 years old. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. I am getting frustrated with new clothes getting ruined!!!

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I am going to try the suggested tips and keep you posted!

Featured Answers

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R.L.

answers from Roanoke on

I've had this happen before. I stopped using fabric softener and I haven't had the problem since. I also reduced the amount of liquid detergent I was using, and rewashed the clothes, it came right out.

1 mom found this helpful

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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

Yes, it's from your fabric softener...most likely your dryer sheets. Use the liquid softener and add it to your clothes while the water is running. Don't use a sheet. Hope this helps :)

1 mom found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Cedar Rapids on

I get these too sometimes, and my washer/dryer is less than a year old. I have never used fabric softener of any kind in my washer or dryer. I do have those rubber balls in the dryer that tumble around to help soften the clothes. So if this is caused by dryer sheets and/or an old washer/dryer, then where does that leave me?

Good luck!

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

Our dryer was doing it until we had the bearings fixed.

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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

I have had this happen esp. with darks. Put liquid dish soap like dawn or palmolive on the stains, rub it in and rewash. It should get it out. If I accidentally spill fabric softener on the clothes when I put it in, I end up with spots. I use the dispenser and I add a little water too.

Call a service company and ask them. Your washer may just need an adjustment or a good cleaning.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.O.

answers from Sherman on

Do u wash your kitchen towels/rags with your clothes? That was the culprit at my house?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.H.

answers from Louisville on

Also might help to start your washer, add the soap/detergent, let it fill some and help mix up before putting any clothes in!

A.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

We had this same problem with our old washer. The washer fianally died one day and when we had it looked at we were told that the fluid in there that keeps the spinning mechinism lubricated had been leeking out slowly and finally it was empty and burnt out. It was happening for like 2 years before the washer fianally broke. We got a new washer and it has never happend since. Also, I found that if you just keep washing them...eventually the stains start to fade away. You could try dawn dish soap though...that is what someone told me to do but I never tried it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from Dallas on

I've had this happen - for me it was definitely the washer, and I don't even use fabric softener. And I got a new washer and it still occasionally happens. I just think that sometimes too much detergent winds up on one or two items and doesn't rinse out properly. Usually I just spray the stains with Spray n Wash or Shout and rewash and it comes out.

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have this problem too, and I am curious, too, about what causes it. I also get so frustrated when I take clothing out of the dryer to find those darned grease looking spots on clothes! UGH!

I had read before that it may be from the fabric softener, and I could see how the liquid softener may have some greasy properties, but not sure how the dryer sheets could cause a grease looking spot?

I've thought that perhaps I need to sort of disassemble my washer mechanism and clean everything out really well... would that help? If it's the dryer sheets causing it, then? I use both types of fabric softener... Oh, and my washer and dryer are getting up there in age as well...

Looking forward to reading your responses...

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