Dear Home Ec 101:
Seems like all my colored T-shirts come out of the washer with a few faint stains on the fronts. It looks like I spilled a drop or two of water on me when I put them on. It’s on them all, no matter what load they went into or what they were washed with. Sometimes I can spray and wash the area and it comes out. They almost look like a grease spots. Could it be liquid fabric softener? Other ideas? I don’t want to continue to ruin shirts or look like I spilled water down my front when I leave the house.
Just call me,
Spotty in Sparta
Heather says:
You hit the nail on the head, missy. The problem IS your fabric softener. Liquid fabric softeners are notorious for leaving spots on clothing. If you have a top loading machine, you may be overloading it with clothing. The softener needs to room to be sloshed evenly over the clothing. If you are using a front loading machine significantly reduce the amount of fabric softener you are using. Over the next few loads, reduce the amount of softener you use, until the spots are gone and you still maintain the fabric feel you desire. Personally, I just add white vinegar to the rinse cycle, but I’m one of those sensitive weirdos who cannot tolerate perfumes.
Now let’s rid your shirts of existing spots. Rub the spots with dishwashing liquid, yes, good old Palmolive will be fine, and relaunder without detergent. It’s as easy as pie. Dryer sheets can also cause spotting, but they will be clear, much like a grease spot. Rub these with a wet bar of soap, such as Ivory and wash as usual.






