We can easily take the humble washing machine for granted as it has become such a staple of the modern home. We load it up, leave it to get on with the cycle for as long as it needs, and expect to return to fresh, clean clothes. But, this isn’t always the case. So, why do we sometimes find brown or black marks on our clothes after washing? Also, what can we do about it? Check out the list of the best non-toxic Stain Removers on Amazon now!
Why Are My Clothes Coming Out Of The Washer With Stains?
There are a few possible reasons why there may be stains on your clothes after washing them in the machine. Thankfully, many of them are fixable and they don’t necessarily mean that there is a fault with your washing machine. Depending on the appearance and color of the stain, you could be dealing with one of the following,
- a fault with the washing machine that requires some quick maintenance,
- an issue with the water supply into the washing machine, or,
- an error in the way that you add the detergent or fabric softener to your laundry.
Why Is My Washing Machine Leaving Black Marks On My Clothes?
There are two common issues to watch out for here when you notice black marks after washing clothes in the machine. They are:
- deposits of oil and grease from the machine due to a breakdown of key components
- spots of mildew on wet clothes
The Washing Machine Leaves Black Marks On Clothes, What To Do?
- If the problem appears to be oil or grease, which you could find in tell-tale splodges across your clothes, this may have come from the machine. Rubber elements of your machine may have degraded and worn through in places, allowing the oil and grease from inside the machine to escape into the drum. As this oil isn’t water-soluble, it will settle onto your clothes. When this happens, it is best to get an engineer to come and look at the machine. They should be able to diagnose the problem. This could mean a replacement part or that it is time for a new machine.
- If the problem appears to be mildew, this could be your fault rather than anything the matter with the machine. Tiny little mildew spots, like those that appear on a window or the bathroom ceiling, can form on wet clothes after they have been washed. It all comes down to how long you leave them in the machine. We’ve all done it. We set up a load of washing, leave it alone to go and do other tasks, and forget about it. Then, two days later, we look for the item we were meant to wash and find the wet clothes still in the machine. The sooner we empty the machine, the lower the chance of mildew.
Why Is My Washing Machine Leaving Brown Stains On My Clothes?
Then there are the times when you find brown, yellowish, or other noticeable stains on your clothes after washing them. These marks could be the result of,
- sludge building up in your washing machine and re-entering the drum,
- excessive iron levels in the water supply, or,
- staining from direct contact with the laundry detergent
The Washing Machine Leaves Brown Stains On Clothes, What To Do?
- Sludge. Sludge can build up inside a washing machine when the dirty water doesn’t drain away properly. The best option here is to unblock the filter and run some water through the machine to try and clean it out. If that doesn’t help, get an engineer out. There could be months of dirt and mess from our clothes in the depths of the machine if the filter is blocked up. Eventually, with no other way to go, it will come back into the drum. This can then leave marks and stains on your clothes.
- High iron content. It is unlikely that the problem is a high iron content unless you are also experiencing issues with staining on your dishes in the dishwasher and around your shower. You may also notice a more metallic taste in the water from your faucet. If this is the issue, a water filtration system could help.
- Laundry detergent or softener. There is the risk of staining from laundry detergent or softener. These are less noticeable and unpleasant than the oil or sludge. But, they are also easily created. Adding products directly to clothes in the wash makes them more at risk of staining. Put the product in the drawer so it can mix in with the water and not come into direct contact with the fabric. It may also help to clean out the drawer regularly.
Can I Get Rid Of Those Stains On My Clothes?
Yes. There is a good chance that you can remove the stains on your clothes with either a mixture of water and vinegar or water and baking soda. Some store-bought stain removers may help too. Once you have a better idea of the type of stain you are dealing with, you can look into the best cleaning solution to fix the problem. Also, it may be best to do this in a clean bathtub or another large tub to avoid further issues via the washing machine. Check out the list of the best non-toxic Stain Removers on Amazon now!
Conclusion
In short, there could be a number of reasons for the issue, from a basic human error to more serious issues with the machine itself. However, whether it is oil, detergent, sludge, mildew, or other deposits causing these stains, there are ways to fix the problem. Take the time to determine what is going on and what you can do to make a difference. This may mean calling in an engineer, but it is better to be safe than sorry if you are unsure of the best solution. You can then re-wash your clothes to remove the stains and try and avoid the problem in the future.
