Dear Home Ec 101:
I don’t use softeners or softener sheets and every piece of clothing we own is being ruined by these grease stains. I have no idea what it is but I can only assume its from the dryer. And I know, with kids, stains are highly likely but even their brand spanking new clothes are coming out with these stains (as well as my clothes and the hubby’s) Any ideas? At this point, I’m ready to just buy a new dryer because by the time I pay for a service call, labor and parts, it costs the same (if not less to replace!!) Crazy!! Any ideas??
~Spittin’ Mad At These Spots
Heather says:
There are several places from which spots may spring.
Dark spots of grease may be caused by a problem within the washer itself. Occasionally the transmission will leak oil, creating spots on clothing.
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- Light spots of grease may have several sources.
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- There may be something, such as last week’s chapstick, in the dryer’s drum spreading grease to the clothing. To check, dampen a spot free towel or rag and dry. Once dry check for spots.
- If the dryer is the culprit thoroughly clean the drum. If you have an electric dryer, it is safe to use a solvent, but those with a gas dryer should not take the risk and are stuck using good old non-flammable elbow grease. Sorry, I am not going to be responsible for house fires.
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- Oils from towels and rags used to clean up spills may transfer spots to other articles of clothing. Do not wash your kitchen rags with clothing.
- As mentioned in the question both liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets may also leave spots.
Stumble it!
4 responses so far ↓
1 tink // Dec 3, 2007 at 9:44 pm
We had the transmission issue with our washer, grease spots galore! Our grease spots were yellowish in color.
Good luck!
2 Milehimama // Dec 4, 2007 at 2:21 pm
You can try to clean your washer from grease spots by washing a couple of old towels (to rub against the sides)in hot water with a little bit of detergent and a two-liter of Coca Cola BRAND soda.
Sounds crazy, but Coke will take grease spots out (my husband worked at an oil plant for a while and came home with industrial strength grease on his clothes. A can of coke got his jumpsuits clean).
3 Margolis // Dec 4, 2007 at 2:58 pm
oh man, this was the death knell of my former washing machine! I had a few loads with some random dark grease stains on the clothes (never did get them out and cut those duds up for rags), and my dad diagnosed the transmission problem. We took the washer to the dump and got a new one. Good luck!
4 MissouriRural // Jan 6, 2008 at 11:56 am
I have a NEW HE washer and on occasion I get these greasy type spots…only on my darks, I’m guessing because they wouldn’t be noticeable on my whites, but I do use Bounce dryer sheets in my dryer, I don’t know how else to avoid static cling and what not without using these products that I think may be the culprit behind the spotting…can anyone give me some ideas, I honestly don’t think my washer and dryer are to blame. Thanx
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