Brown Stains On Clothes After Washing? 8 Surprising Reasons!

Last Updated on 9 months by Susan Mayrich

Do you know what causes brown stains on clothes after washing? This article will assist you in understanding the primary causes. So without further ado, start reading this article. There may be something left in your shirt pocket; the residual in the machine drum and the damaged drive belt are the significant cause of brown stains on your clothes.

brown stains on clothes after washing

Brown stains are a common sight in the laundry room. They show up on whites, especially after repeated washings, and can be caused by various factors- from excessive heat to natural dyes and residue.

Read this article to avoid these stains and keep your whites looking as bright as possible.

 

Reasons For Brown Stains On Your Clothes After Washing

Various factors can cause brown stains, and if your washer is filled with dirt and other parts or the machine are malfunction, you might face these stains on your lovely clothes. Learn the reasons to know what causes brown stains on clothes after washing.

 

#1. Liquid detergent buildup

Some liquid detergents have animal fat in them, leading to residue buildup over time on the bearings in the washing machine.

As a result, the fat can spit back out of the device and onto your clothes, causing unsightly brown stains. The best solution for this is using citric acid and running it through the washing machine.

brown stains on clothes after washing

 

#2. Forgotten objects left in pockets

It’s easy to forget about the objects in our pockets when we’re getting ready to do laundry, but these items can often cause brown stains on our clothes.

Pens, markers, and coins are some of the most common culprits. Take these items out of your pockets before washing your clothes.

Forgotten objects left in pockets

 

#3. Transmission fluid or bearing grease stains

Brown stains can be a result of washing machine grease leaking on clothes. These problems are more likely to occur in older machines.

This is because your washing machine’s bearings are lubricated with oil to reduce friction. If the directions are cracked or leak, the oil will escape.

Transmission fluid can leak into the drum or onto the floor underneath the washer, but it can also leak into the drum.

So the first thing you should do is identify the source of the leak. Once you’ve done that, you can take steps to fix the problem. This will involve cleaning or replacing the part causing the leak in most cases.

Transmission fluid or bearing grease stains

 

#4. Untreated water

If the water supply in your area has a high mineral content, then this could also cause brownish spots on your clothes.

These impurities within the water react with both the washing machine and washing detergent, causing a reaction that leaves a brown residue on clothes after washing.

Untreated water

 

#5. Mildew buildup

Another cause of brown stains on clothes can result a mildew buildup in your washer and dryer, especially if they are not cleaned regularly.

Mildew must be cleaned from a washing machine every few months to avoid buildup.

Mildew buildup

 

#6. Washing detergent powder buildup

When you use too much detergent in one load or if it doesn’t dissolve properly, it can lead to unsightly brown spots on your black clothes.

Brown marks on washing are usually a result of a chemical reaction between the fabric and the washing powder.

Washing detergent powder buildup

 

#7. Rust inside the washer

Brown stains on your clothes after washing and drying indicate rust stains on clothes from the washing machine’s drum.

The rusting is due to water and detergent residue that acts as a catalyst for rust. In addition, tub washers have a drain pump that allows rust particles to pass through the machine, causing brown stains on clothes.

Check for rust in your washing machine by wiping a soft, damp cloth inside the machine drum to see if it comes away rusty.

If there is rust present, clean it out with a diluted liquid bleach and water solution, then rinse thoroughly before using it again.

brown stains on clothes after washing

 

#8. Rust on water pipelines

If you’re having problems with brown stains on your clothes, check the rust on your older pipes.

Rust can easily find its way into your washing machine through the water hookup and cause unsightly stains on your clothing.

If you notice any rust buildup, be sure to have it cleaned and repaired as soon as possible.

Rust on water pipelines

 

Why Are There Black Marks On Clothes After Laundry?

If your dryer is leaving black marks on clothes, it could result from the felt drum seal at the back of the dryer. Over time, this seal will collect lint, hair, and dirt from your laundry. When you wash a load of laundry in the dryer, this debris will rub off your clothes, leaving unsightly black marks, brown streaks, or stains.

You can stop these stains from happening in the first place by regularly cleaning out your dryer’s lint trap and vent filter. The lint trap is found on top of your dryer inside the door.

Clean it out every time you run a load of laundry. To clean out the vent filter (which may be found inside or outside your home), use a long-handled brush designed for cleaning vents or a vacuum attachment designed for cleaning hair from brushes and hoses. Overloading the washer can result in brown stains or black marks in specific models of dryers.

This can be due to an imbalance in the load, which results in wet clothing rubbing together during the spin cycle. When the spin cycle stops, wet clothing sitting in a hot dryer may start to scorch. To avoid this, always make sure that there is room around each article of clothing so it will not rub against other items during washing and drying cycles.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Learn more through FAQs:

 

Why am I getting dirt in my washing machine?

This is usually the result of not cleaning the washing machine after each use. The soap scum, detergent residue, and other hard water deposits left behind will eventually harden and form clumps that can be difficult to remove. A good cleaning routine will help prevent this issue by removing all traces of soap and detergent from the machine.

 

Does Oxiclean leave a residue on clothes?

Yes, Oxiclean leaves a residue on clothes that can cause brown stains, spots, or marks.

 

What causes dark spots on light clothes after washing? 

Fabric softener and dryer sheets can leave stains and marks on light clothes. If you’re using a liquid fabric softener, rinse your clothing well before putting it in the drying. If you use dryer sheets, remove them from the dryer before drying your clothes. The chemicals they contain can leave dark stains on white and yellow ones on colored fabrics.

 

What causes brown streaks on clothes after washing?

Brown streaks may appear on washed clothes if the machine is leaking oil. The friction of the washing machine can rub oil from the seals onto your clothing and cause brown streaks. This can also be caused by the rust in the drum of your washing machine, especially if you live in an area that has hard water.

 

Can liquid laundry detergent stain clothes? 

Liquid laundry detergent is not supposed to stain clothes, but if you use too much of it, it will remain on the clothing and leave a detergent stain. You should also go there to find out more! Reasons for brown stains on clothes.

 

It’s A Wrap!

We are happy to know that you have learned what causes brown stains on clothes after washing. As we discuss the causes of brown colors on the dresses, you need to maintain your washer all the time to avoid these kinds of stains after washing. Thank you, friends, for staying with us! You may want to find out does listerine stain clothes and does hand sanitizer stain clothes.

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