Comments on: Spots in the wash

By: erin

erin — Fri, 20 May 2011 17:46:40 +0000

I use shampoo on all my "grease" spots and it works great. I never had this problem with liquid softener until I bought a new top loading washer.

By: cyndbird

cyndbird — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:48:22 +0000

My boyfriend also gets these spots, and only on the front. His washer & dryer are older, and he does use fabric softener sheets. My w&d are both newer front loading machines and I never notice any spots on our clothes at my house, and I have a 12 year old son who gets plenty dirty! (and I use liquid fabric softener in my wash, no sheets in the dryer!)

My theory is that because these spots are only on the front, that it begins with getting some type of greasy food on the shirt, and in the washer or dryer, the detergent or softener sheet substance is attaching itself to the grease to make the spot. That would explain why the spots are only on the front – just a theory. He also doesn't pre-treat his clothes with anything like Shout or Spray-n-wash like I do, so that could explain why he's getting the spots and I'm not.

I've been tasked to "do my magic" on his problem shirts – wish me luck!

By: jennifer

jennifer — Tue, 25 May 2010 23:26:34 +0000

When I get greasy spots I spray diluted Dawn on the spots and rinse ONLY the spot in hot water. Sqeeze out excess water and throw in the dryer or hang dry. Works most of the time and I don't have to waste water rewashing clothes. As for pretreaters bleaching khakis i use only Spray and Wash Max. I can treat and throw back in the hamper and i have yet to have them get bleached out. If that doesn't work i had an employee at a store tell me to use Dawn detergent because it is gentle.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:05:30 +0000

I'm not sure where the spots come from but when I get them, I brush pinesol on the spot and rewash. The spots are gone 95% of the time. Once in awhile, I'll have to do it twice to remove the spot.

By: HeatherSolos

HeatherSolos — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:00:24 +0000

Spots can appear if a greasy rag is thrown in with the rest of the laundry, too.

By: Connie

Connie — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:08:29 +0000

i have this same problem. We do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets.
I have tried different soaps.

By: tiffany

tiffany — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:28:07 +0000

it didnt come out? i put dish soap on it but not palmolive do you think thats why it didnt come out?

By: Marlo

Marlo — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:31:01 +0000

Hello. I’m desperate for an answer to this. Two of my brand new colored T-shirts now have spots. We don’t use liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets. We use Arm & Hammer liquid detergent which we add to the water before putting the clothes in. It does look like wet spots on my clothes. It only seems to happen to cotton knits, like T-shirts, and only shows up on bright or dark colors, like fuchia or navy blue. Help!

By: Vicki

Vicki — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:51:57 +0000

I have an idea! I have an idea!!! Another great fabric softener to use is good old-fashioned ammonia! Probably don’t want to use it if you just washed with bleach, unless you rinse out all the bleach first then use the ammonia in a 2nd rinse cycle. I forgot where I read about doing this, but if you add about 1/2 – 1 cup ammonia (I haven’t actually done this in a while, so I don’t remember how much I used) to your rinse water, YES, your laundry room & house will stink like crazy, and so will the clothes, BUT, after the clothes go through the dryer, the smell is completely gone! Your clothes will be brighter, softer, and have a very fresh scent. No ammonia scent at all! The best reason for using ammonia in your rinse water is to break down the mineral build up from hard water. Do this when your whites get dingy & funky. I used to think bleach was the best thing to use for dingy whites, but not true if the dinginess is caused by mineral buildup from the water. Works great! Smells great!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:17:41 +0000

I have had this same problem for months and have learned, through some research, that many spot removers (ie: Spray and Wash) leave these stains. It says on the product not to use it on khaki colored clothing. I have ruined more paints than I know what to do with.