Detergents making weird stains

[cleanteamofny]

 

 

 

 

For the past few weeks, I've been reading several threads on Reddit in the laundry sections about mystery stains after washing. It is happening to me. My uniform shirts got these stains that were not on them when they went in, yet here they are?

 

I use these detergents in my arsenal, including Tide Professional.

I always use the lowest dosage of detergent minus fabric softener. I will not blame the machine, as it's only four months old. Something has changed between the water and detergents. I do not know what.

 

 





 

 

 

[qsd-dan]

I always use the lowest dosage of detergent

That may be your problem. Perhaps buildup is occurring between the tubs? Are your running tub cleanings? Lots of warm and hot washes?

It seems like most, if not all of those complaints are coming from front loader users.

 

[mrboilwash]

Stains that were not visible before washing *might* be caused by Polyquaternium or similar chemicals commonly found in personal care or hair care products and so on.
Maybe even in some hand sanitizers.

Those stain are per se invisible but they attract dirt and dyes from the wash water which in turn makes them visible. This happens in particular if the detergent is not dosed in sufficient amounts. Once visible, very hard to remove.
A hot wash with an oxy bleach and more detergent might help.

 

[cleanteamofny]

 

 

I use the lowest dosage because two or three articles are within the load. A mid- or max-dose is not required. Sometimes, I add my Booster Blend to the load with detergents. This should not be a lack of detergent issue. I do not understand.

 

I use warm water with stain treatment during the wash cycle, while these garments recommend cold water. Thus, these stains should be washed out.

 

[combo52]

I would increase the detergent dosage

To the maximum maybe even double what this recommended I would also always wash in a hot wash in a front load washer. It won't get hot enough to damage anything and it will definitely clean better in all the years that I've had front load washers, including my old vintage combination, washer dryers I have always washed in hot water no exceptions even brand new black jeans go in hot water without any damage or excessive fading.

Unless your hot water heater is set at ridiculously high temperatures you're unlikely to achieve much over 110 or 120° in the washer, I keep my water heater set about 135 and it's right next to the laundry area.

John

 

[petek]

I wonder if it's some sort of residue breakdown coming off that reflective material on the shirts

 

[tomturbomatic]

One of the ingredients in HE detergents is an additive that prevents redisposition of dyes from the wash water on to fabrics because the pool is so small and concentrated. Maybe more detergent, as others have suggested, will remedy your problem.

 

[mark_wpduet]

You said machine was only 4 months old... Has this been happening since you got the machine or AFTER that?

BTW, I vaguely remember your old Electrolux...I forgot, was it called IQ touch or something? What happened to it?

 

[lakewebsterkid]

stains

The picture doesn't do it as much justice as it likely does in person, though the stains in the first pic are certainly visible, the second and third looks like there are some pit stains? That would be an odd spot if you are wearing an undershirt. I do second running a higher temperature wash and seeing what the result is.
I have used nearly all the products in your pic without any issues, so I am not certain that is the cause. Keep us updated.

 

[cleanteamofny]

 

 

I rewashed the shirts this afternoon, treating the stain with OxiClean™ Max Force™ 5 in 1. I set it for an hour before running a normal cycle with Tide Hygienic Clean, Clorox 2, and my Booster Blend. I used hot water on the normal cycle with Stain Treatment, Solid soil, Steam treatment, and pure rinse, and almost all the stains were removed. (Suds Festival) The cycle time was 183 minutes.

The reflector is made by 3M and rated for 25 washes before failing. I have other shirts that did not leave flakes on the garment past that due date. Lucky me.

 

As for the pit stains, I wear long and short sleeves without a T-shirt. The short sleeves have a pocket, and the long sleeve does not. Both shirts have never had an issue leaving that area stained before, and these shirts are pretty new.

 

 

A little history: I still have the Wavetouch stored in the garage. The bearings went out, and the screws that connected the clamshell outer tub became loose, so I decommissioned the machine and put the JennAir 2000 into service. The drain pump seized up, and I replaced it. A few months later, the tub bearing started to fail, plus the timer began to fail after the regular wash cycle. The washer goes into the rinse cycle, carrying over the wash water. So, the 2nd rinse was added to the cycle to complete. After all this, I was in the market for a new machine, so I started the order through BestBuy. They e-mailed me and canceled the order a few days before the scheduled delivery date, so I went to Home Depot, purchased the machine for a few $$$ less, and received it about the same time.

When I compare Wavetouch to Luxcare, I find that the timer on Wavetouch is user-friendly and highly flexible regarding wash time management. The interior light can be turned on for three minutes through all cycles. Prewash was available on the Wavetouch. The Luxcare uses StainSoak (Magic Minute Lite) to soak the load in extra concentrated detergent before adding more water to begin the wash cycle, thus saving water.

 

I'll post pics later.

 

I want to thank everyone for your helpful input.

 

 

 

 

[cleanteamofny]

[No message]

 

[tomturbomatic]

I hope that you will receive satisfactory service from your new washer.

 

[cleanteamofny]

 

 

I hope so too, Tom,

This washer cleans like the Wavetouch with longer wash times.