Oil Stains on Clothing

Updated on January 23, 2011
A.O. asks from Ardmore, OK
6 answers

Ok mamas, I have had it up to my eye balls with ruined clothes! My families clothing keeps coming out with "oil stains". I looked online and saw that this is a problem with some older washers...they will leak oil. Soooo we replaced the washer to a ge front loader and 6 months later...stains reappearing! Grrrrrr! Had the repair man out, found nothing wrong. Help!

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R.N.

answers from Houston on

I've read that liquid fabric softener can be the culprit. You might try doing a week's worth of laundry with no type of softener at all--liquid or sheets--and see if the problem clears up. I use liquid softener and did experience the problem with my old top loader, but haven't had it yet with my front loader. Of course my front loader is only 2 months old so the problem may still resurface. I do dilute my liquid softener quite a bit--I use Downy, and I fill the cap to the lowest line (least amount), pour it in the reservoir, and then fill the reservoir up the rest of the way with water. Good luck!

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D.M.

answers from Detroit on

A.---Do you use dryer sheets? Those are most likely the culprit. I have given them up...too many chemicals and other nasty things besides the stains...and now use the dryer balls. Try to 'google' how to get dryer sheet stains out of clothing. You might find some ideas online.

Check the website www.ewg.org to find out about the best and worst of household cleaning products. They also have a database of sunscreens, cosmetics (which ones contain dangerous known toxins) and the 'dirty dozen' list of the best and worst of polluted fruits and veggies.

Good luck, be well. D.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

Is it dark oil?
If they can't find anything wrong with your washer, could it be the oils in something else, such as lotions that get on your clothes and then show up after the laundry is done? Have you tried adding a degreasing agent to the cycle?
I have never had this happen and I can imagine how frustrating it must be. But, maybe it really the washer. That's the only thing I can think.
I hope you get some great responses.

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J.T.

answers from College Station on

They are most likely hidden grease stains.
WD 40 will take them out.

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L.F.

answers from Austin on

When this happens in our family, it's because someone (usually hubster) is leaving their lip balm in a pocket and it goes through the washer and dryer...I'd not ever heard the solutions from the other moms, but if you're finding "empty" tubes of lip balm, then it's melting in the washer/dryer and getting on the clothes.

Good luck! How frustrating!

T.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Ok, I totally have the same problem-our set is only 2 yrs old, also. Someone said that it was the fabric softener that leaves those stains. Frustrating!!!

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