Seeking Help with a Laundry Question

I also had the same problem and it was my old machine leaking oil. Bought a new washer and the problem was solved.

I had the same thing happen to me, the motor in my washer was going out and therefore slinging oil. It stopped when I got a different washer.

I have to say I agree with Bonnie - we had the same problem and it was the washing machine itself leaking oil into the tub. Unfortunately it wasn't something that could be repaired, so we ended up replacing the whole thing. I will say that I used Dawn dishwashing soap to get rid of the oil stains...works great!

Hi J.,

We had a similar problem. Grease spots would appear on random clothes piratically. After doing much research, and trial and error on trying to salvage many clothes, it ended up being our washer that was the culprit! It was leaking oil into the clothes basin. We went ahead and purchased a new one, while donating the old one to victims of a hurricane. (They had a program at the time that they would make repairs on donated washers and ship them to needed families.) I would bet that your washer may need a service call if your attempts at changing detergents don't work. Good luck!
A.

I don't know what exactly causes it, but I sometimes have the same problem. Some things that have helped me are that I always put the detergent in the water and let it dilute a little before I add my clothes, I always dilute my fabric softener (I usually use Downy because it seems to not be as thick and gooey as Snuggle), and if I do get a stain that I will inevitability find after everything is washed and dried, I find that if I spray the spot with Shout and then rewash it whenever I do the next load even if it is days later, the stain almost always comes out. Hope this helps!

I have had the same problem! Not sure if it is liquid fabric softner or liquid laundry soap, it is annoying regardless. I have found if you put dishsoap on these spots, just a little, and rub it in real well-like your fighting a stain with Shout, they will come out.

Lots of good advise given so far. Maybe with adding cloths last and switching to dryer sheets it won't happen again? Going to try it but until then use dish soap to correct the issue!

Do you use liquid fabric softener? I think it may be from that rather than your detergent. If your machine has the spot in the center for softener, only fill it half way and then the rest of the way with water. If you use a downy ball, do the same with the water. I had this problem also and then finally figured it out after ruining several articles of clothing. If you don't use liquid softener then sorry, I don't have any ideas! Good luck!

Are you sure it's oil? I had something similar happen and I found that it was my liquid fabric softener- at first I did think it was oil spots and I wondered how we could be getting that many oil spots on our clothes. I still use it now- but I have upgraded to a machine that dilutes the fabric softener and now I don't get the spots. They were a pain! I just had to put a timer on when I was doing laundry and go in and put the fabric softener in, instead of using the little downy ball. Also- I wash my washer every few months. Just run a cycle with vinegar- no clothes. If it is oil, it should help. Good luck!

I think it may be from liquid fabric softener?

That sounds like it's coming from fabric softener. Are you using liquid softener in your wash cycle? If so then make sure you are adding it to the rinse cycle and diluting it.

If you are not then I would recommend running a few empty wash cycles with just hot water and vinegar.

Check pants pockets next time & make sure nothing weird is being stowed in those jeans like lip gloss or chapsick. That happened to me once. Also (I just thought of this) those sticky toys that you can get in the quarter machines, those can be mad of some weird stuff that can make oil like stains on your clothes so that could be something. So CHECK YOUR POCKETS ( : and good luck @ getting rid of those pesky spots.

I had this problem with an old washing machine. I really don't remember what was broken but I replaced the machine. Something was broke on the machine that was leaking oil so every time I washed something it put oil in the machine and on the clothes. Liquid detergent sometimes puts blue or pink stains on the clothes if you put it in before the water fills. I don't have the time to watch the water fill so I just dump everything in. I have never had a stain from this.

Good luck.

It might be your fabric softner. This happens to me sometimes, but not as often now that I know what can prevent it. During the spin cycle, when I put the fabric softner in the center thing and not dilute it a bit with water, the ab.soft. would sit and stain the clothes. I didn't realize this until it happened to my white towels and I had a blue stain, then I just sniffed and compared the 2 seperate loads. It would take a few washes to finally get them out. THis might be the same thing that happens to you.

I had the same problem as well! Finally figured out it was the liquid fabric softener...particularly Snuggle brand. Do you have hard water? That makes it worse...seems like with the hard water the fabric softner doesn't dissolve like it should. I don't have the problem as much anymore, now that I switched brands and I add a little water to the softener ball...helps dilute it a bit. Hope this helps...hate the frustration of having to do the laundry again right after you just did it!!! ;)

My first reaction is fabric softner, either the liquid or the sheets, I've had more problems like that with sheets.

Try using liquid, and dilute it with water before adding to the wash water to avoid greezey clumps.

Now before everyone jumps all over me that liquids make children's clothes more flamible....I know I know...but I'm playing the odds here...I have always had a non-smoking home, so I believe we're at a low risk of bursting into flames.

You have a problem with your washing machine. (Or dryer) The machine itself is throwing the oil.
This happened to me once, too, and I found out it was the washer. We replaced it. No more problem.

Another possible problem, could be washing hubby's oily workclothes, then washing your other clothes. Short of having two separate washers, I am not sure what you can do about that. The work clothes have to be washed, but the oil stays in the washer AND dryer and then gets on your other clothes.

Hey J.... I totally think Melissa J has the problem pegged!!!!!! If the stains look like a light greyish color... I have been having the same problem but NEVER put my husbands dirty clothes through the wash or anything. (hand wash those) I suspected the liquid laundry detergent but wasnt sure... That has to be it! I think I will monitor my own laundry better. Yes it is very frustrating and if your husband is anything like mine it is ALL YOUR FAULT but he would never dream of helping you with the laundry! LOL. Good luck and we should both try despensing the liquid detergent after the washer has filled!

By far the best laundry products that I have ever used are Shaklee's. (http://www.shaklee.net/J./product/GetCleanLaundry)
It will get your clothes exceptionally clean and still be safe for the environment. Your spots could be from your fabric softener.

It is most likely from chemicals that you are using in your detergent, fabric softener, or pre-spot or even bleach! We have been shopping from a different store that saves us time and money for 3 years now and they have replacements for all of these products, no harsh chemicals, these are the best of science and nature without the toxins! This store is 1-stop shopping from your home and we are helping moms and others switch to this store to help with these types of problems you are having too! We have many things that would make a difference and our store has been "green" for 23 years with eco-friendly products! Let me know how I can help you, reply or visit www.2liveabetterlife.com or www.2abetterlife.com We also help others earn an extra income if they wish but the best place to shop is here, you will love it! I would love to educate you on all of this and share :) Cindy

It could be the liquid fabric softener, if you use it. When I use to much, you can see the stains on darker clothing and a lot of times when washed in the delicate cycle. Since most fabric softeners are concentrated now a days we don't need as much as we think and still use as much as we used to. That coud be your cause. To get rid of the stains is the hard part. You have to treat the stains before you dry the clothing with a degreaser, which isn't always easy to see. Hope this helps some. Good luck and God Bless.

The same thing happened to me when I was using liquid fabric softner. I guess I was not adding it properly, so I switched to dryer sheets. Once I did, the stains were not a problem.

J. I just popped in quick and I am not sure what kind of responses you have so far. If you are using a drier sheet it can leave these marks on nicer clothing. I have had some of the same problems when using a drier sheet with a nice blouse or a fabric that my have a slick or nicer finish to it. Sometimes it comes out when you treat and rewash sometimes it doesnt. Frustrating, I know. I enjoy using the drier sheet so I have altered my shopping to limit that type of fabric. The biggest culprit is washable silks, I hope this helps.

Been there done that.....

This from overloading the washer.

To remove the stains treat the spots with a dish detergent like Dawn and then rewash. The spots should come out.

chances are it is the liquid fabric softener

J.,

How old is your washer? This could actually be something coming off or out of your washer.

Try running an empty washer with bleach in it and see if it will degrease your washer.

If not, you may need a service call on the appliance.

If you do not think that it is the washer, try diluting the detergent and the fabric softener BEFORE it gets into the washer.

N.

J.,
I have had the same problem and I don't use liquid fabric softener, but I do use liquid detergent. I think it's from pouring the soap right onto the clothes. I've had better luck if I put the soap in first, then the clothes. Sometimes I forget, It is annoying though!!! Good luck!
C.

I have used a great product called Sol-u-Mel on all my tough laundry stains. This product can get ANYTHING out. I also had a problem with stains on my laundry and once I switched to this company's laundry detergent and fabric softner, I never had the problem anymore. If you are interested you can e-mail me at ____@____.com and I will tell you how you can get it. These are great products that should be in everybodys home, and best of all, they are all natural!

Ok. I have the same problem. I've read everyone's responses but none have addressed my issue. I do use liquid fabric softener but I have a front loader where you put the detergent and softener in a front tray and it dispenses it on its own. Therefore, I don't think I can put it in during a certain cycle. Any ideas for that?

Hi J., I've learned that "Goop" worked really well!! It's actually for like cleaning dirty "man hands" after working on cars and stuff, but i heard the trick and tried it myself and it helped alot!

Also another AWESOME thing i found is something called "Greese lightening". It's in a white bottle with black and yellow letters on it. It sounds kind of Cheeze, but it is WONDERFUL!

Later note: I just read a few other responces, and what they say about adding the detergent in to the water first, THEN adding the items is very true. I also learned that that hard way. Same goes for the Fabric softner. While i love the way it smells, sometimes it has left some stains of a few items. Still working on that, but usually it's ok.

Good luck, and i hope this helps!!

I have had the same problem with liquid detergent it's not that you are using to much it is when you put the clothes in the wash and add the saop as the water is running and when you pour the soap onto the clothes for some reason it stains and never comes out so reverse this and it will be better start you water add soap until you see bubbles then add clothes.