Why do clothes have grease stains from the washing machine? The washing machine is probably one of the most significant household inventions there is – and mommas and daddies agree to that!
They are convenient, easy to use, and great for multitasking.
You can toss your dirty clothes and let the washer do all the work.
But just when everything seems perfectly fine, you suddenly notice greasy spots on your clothes.
You might be wondering what seems to be the problem? Is my washer causing this?
Well, there are plenty of reasons why your clothes have grease stains from your washing machine.
So if you’re looking for answers, then this article is for you.
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Why do clothes have grease stains from the washing machine?
Grease stains from the washing machine are either caused by the detergent, your clothes, or the machine itself.
Probable causes of greasy stains from a washing machine
Laundry Detergent Buildup
Old liquid detergent or fabric softener is one of the reasons why grease stains occur.
Most laundry detergent or fabric softeners are oil-based.
If too much is used or if they are not diluted enough with water, the excess amount can lead to a clogged dispenser.
It can also cause grease stains on clothes.
Washing Machine failure causing grease stains
Sometimes the reason why grease stains appear on clothes is due to a washing machine failure.
Since we’re talking about a washing machine, the cause of greasy stain may come from a transmission seal or mechanical gear failure.
These issues mostly happen due to old or overloaded machines.
The role of the transmission seal and mechanical gear is what makes the drum spin.
So if one of them is damaged, grease can enter the washing machine, leading to greasy spots on clothes.
Grease on the clothing itself
Sometimes the reason for greasy stains on newly washed clothes is because of greasy clothes.
Confusing right? Well, to better explain it, sometimes you might not realize that you have greasy stains (that you acquire from food) on your clothes.
Once you washed the greasy clothes, the oil residue might remain in the tub of the washing machine, causing grease to transfer to your clothes.
A dryer problem
If your washer is clean, but you are still getting grease stains on your clothes, then the problem is not your washing machine.
The issue may come from your dryer.
A common reason is motor grease leakage contaminating your clothes with grease.
Or if it is not that, it could be due to what’s left in your dryer.
A worn washing machine
If parts of your washing machine begin to collapse, break, or rip, it could lead to grease stains on your clothes.
Different types of greasy stains
Sometimes, the spots are not greased stains; they may be bleach, rust, ink, or dye stains.
For such kind of stain, the remedy will be different.
Understanding what kind of stain you have in front of you is very important.
It will help you to better determine where it comes from and most importantly how to get rid of it:
Oily bluish spots – are grease stains that come from oily fabric softeners.
Brown oily spots – are grease stains that are caused by oil leaks from a washing machine.
Oily spots – because of HE detergent (or detergent powder).
Black spots or stains – can be because of other oily reasons.
How can I prevent further grease stains on my clothes?
Do not use too much laundry detergent because anything excessive will only lead to a clogged dispenser.
Wipe down your washer before and after use to prevent oil residue build-up.
Leave the detergent dispenser of the dryer open for airflow to avoid a bad smell.
Always open the washing machine door (including the dryer door) to prevent mold.
Wash white clothes with hot water because cold water encourages mold to develop.
How do I properly clean my washing machine to prevent greasy stains?
The main thing you need to clean is the inside of your washing machine.
Wipe it off and check the interior for oil residue or clogged shafts.
If the oil residue doesn’t come off through simple wiping, you will need a sponge and baking soda to scrub the stubborn grease off.
After cleaning the inside of your washing machine, it’s time to clean the outside as well.
Not paying attention to the outside of your washing machine may lead to rust, dust, and dripped laundry detergent remaining on the machine.
Cleaning the outside is not as tricky as the inside.
Just wipe it with a mixture of water and a few drops of dish soap.
After that, wipe the dish soap away with a damp cloth.
To finish, wipe with a dry cloth or rag to prevent rust.
Note:
Be careful when cleaning or wiping the inside and outside of your washing machine.
Since it’s a machine, it has controls, gears, and mechanisms that can stop working if they come in contact with water by mistake.
Do I need to further sanitize my washing machine besides cleaning it?
This is a great idea sanitizing a washing machine will remove bacteria, molds, and foul odor.
But note that you should do it once a month only because it’s a challenging task.
You can sanitize a washing machine with bleach or distilled white vinegar.
Sanitize a washing machine using bleach
To sanitize a washing machine using bleach you need hot water, laundry detergent, and a cup of chlorine are needed before running the machine.
How to use distilled vinegar to sanitze a washing machine
Use 3-4 cups of vinegar with hot water. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes in the medium spin.
Do not add laundry detergent for this procedure, but rather let the vinegar’s acidity do its work.
Conclusion On Why Clothes Have Grease Stains From The Washing Machine
There are multiple reasons why clothing can have greasy stains from the washing machine itself.
Therefore make sure to clean your washing machine inside out from time to time.
Also dissembles the dispenser shaft to check if there’s any oil residue left.
Although washing machines are designed to wash our clothes from the dirt, they are still prone to getting dirty, mainly when used regularly.