For the last several months I'm having a problem with a few shirts (dark colors, cotton t-shirt material) looking like what appears to be oil (reminds me of spatters when cooking) spots on them after laundering. I've checked and cleaned the washer and dryer and have not found anything strange (crayons or whatever) in either one of them. I treat the spots and they come out in the next wash but then I'll find them on another one or two shirts. I only use Tide powder with bleach for whites and Tide liquid for colors. My softener is Downy. I have noticed that there was a change to the Downy, smaller bottle and it says concentrated but the same amount of loads as the other. I usually water down the downy in a bigger bottle and use this to fill the dispenser. My question is, "Do you think it's the softener making the spots?" Is it possible that I'm not diluting it enough. It's driving me crazy!!!!

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 02:14 pm:

Could be some kind of leak in your washer?

Here's what I do when I have questions about home appliances, since I have been dealing a lot with old used ones. I go to The Appliance Guru and post a question. It's a Website run by an appliance repair man and he has many other experienced "appliantologists" who contribute as well. If there is a problem with your washer, they may be able to help.

By Tink on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 04:19 pm:

I know that dryer sheets can cause oily spots. I don't know if liquid softener can do the same things but I would assume it can. Try lowering the temperature at which you are drying your clothes and double rinse your laundry before drying it to make sure there is no softener residue left. There's my two cents.

By Karen~admin on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 04:24 pm:

If liquid fabric softener is poured directly onto fabric, it CAN leave those kinds of spots - BTDT - learned it the hard way.

And I also had the thought that there is some kind of mechanical leak in one of your appliances - like oil from somewhere?

By Bemerry84 on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 01:58 pm:

I googled "mysterious spots on clothes" and you wouldn't believe how much info I found and how many people have this same problem. Women actually bought new appliances and the spots still remain. My machine has the softener dispenser so I'm going to try diluting the softener some more since it's even more concentrated now and put less clothes in the load I think I may overfill it sometimes. If that don't work I will try a different softener since that seems to be the only think that changed. I hate the concept of "new and improved". The thing I don't get though is why only dark colors and t-shirt fabrics and why it just started happening? Kind of like Kate's smelly washcloths. It's a mystery!

By Cocoabutter on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 02:28 pm:

From the Appliance Guru forum:

Some reactions between fabric softeners and detergents can cause staining that appears like grease or oil. Try removing one of the spots by hand using soap and warm water. If it comes out, then you know it wasn't a petroleum product.

I'll keep looking!

By Bemerry84 on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 04:08 pm:

Thanks Lisa I really don't think it's my machine because I would have it on everything not just a few select items. The spots do come out when treated and rewashed, lucky for me

By Marcia on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 09:50 pm:

I have the same problem. I replaced my old machines this summer, and the problem is still there. I use the same detergents as you do, so who knows? I have found that most of them have stayed, though.
If someone has an answer for this, I'll be eternally grateful!