When I wash my whites they often come out with s shadow or a residue of a stain and I can't figure it out. I have an HE front loader. I use no softener, just liquid ALL free. I am assuming it happens in the washer, but I guess it could be the dryer, but by the time I get it out of the dryer and notice it, it is too late. This does not always happen. Does anyone have any experience on this? I just ruined two brand new white shirts, and nothing I did after the fact helped at all. Thanks so much.
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12 responses so far ↓
1 through_the_broken_glass // Jun 16, 2008
Yeah, it can be caused by the rust on your machine or tiny holes that expose the clothes to rust from the machines. I would take a look inside and see if you can see rust, if not, check for holes or openings.
2 rosabearr // Jun 16, 2008
Your using to much laundry detergent
3 orchid_dalloway // Jun 16, 2008
There may be a part in the washer that has rusted, and it's the rust that is staining your clothes. I can't really think of a "home remedy" for that, except a thorough inspection of the machine, or a checkup by a repairman.
Next load, try adding some vinegar to the detergent and see if that helps.
4 notyou311 // Jun 16, 2008
You have rust in your machine or the water in your pipes is not clear. Add bleach or borax to the wash. Look for 20 Mule Team Borax at the store.
5 jmad // Jun 16, 2008
I have never experienced this, but I will suggest to you to use Dreft when you wash your whites. It gets any stain out of anything! It's laundry detergent for babies and it is the most amazing stuff. It even gets my husband's dirty work socks white again!!!! I have never heard of this happening, but maybe you should call the manufacturer of the washer and dryer or call the store that you purchased them in to see if anyone has had similar problems. Good luck!
6 queen of de-nyle.. // Jun 16, 2008
It's the water, may be high Iron, or just hard water. Try adding BORAX. 20 Mule team Borax is environmentally safe and should help brighten your clothes. Another you could try is Arm and Hammer WASHING soda,(not baking soda). Put 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle to remove detergent residue.
7 Michael R // Jun 16, 2008
You could have dirty water, or something is in you'r water that is changing the color of your clothes?
8 SpeakTruthToPower // Jun 16, 2008
This brings back nightmares to me; it happened with my first washer … something to do with oil leaking; all I know is it cost more to fix than to buy a new one.
good luck.
9 sexy_devil // Jun 16, 2008
Your washer could be rusty on the outside of the drum and the rust can be washed in when it fills with water. Check for rust spots around those little holes, that should give you a clue. I had the same problem with my washer. it left spots on clothing, so I had to ask my landlord for a new one, and now it's not happening. Sorry, but you may need a new washer.
10 tiannatoo // Jun 16, 2008
A few years ago my husband was stationed for a brief training in Fort Dix, NJ. I went on the weekend to visit and do his laundry… the water was so "hard" (many minerals) that it did indeed make white laundry look like it was tea stained.
The best thing to do is install a water softener on the intake for your washing machine. Bleaches are hard on your clothes and the hard water will stain anyway. You can add water softeners to both the wash and rinse water and that will help… but the best way is a water filter/softener on the intake to the washer.
Does your water have a strong mineral taste? Feel like your shower is not very efficient and makes the soap less effective? A whole-house filter and softener may be what you need. They are expensive but well worth the money spent.
One way to tell if you have hard water is that the minerals build up on surfaces where the water evaporates. It can make your shower heads clog, leave a "salt" residue on the edges of your aquarium cover, etc. I hope you get this figured out. Obviously high iron content will cause the red color. Other minerals such as calcium, limestone, etc. can also cause problems. I hope this helps you.
11 John M // Jun 16, 2008
I would say it is one of two possibilities. You have some rust in your washer or your water is hard and you need to add a product to your wash cycles to soften your water.
12 Library Eyes // Jun 16, 2008
if the fire department has been checking the hydrants in your neighborhood or the water dept has been working on a break in a line…your water could have been a bit dirty and the clothes need to be re-washed but if you dryed them…the stain may not come out