Problem: It could be that the washing machine drum has collected greasy residue from previous loads. Solution: Try cleaning the drum by running an empty cycle with a cupful of white vinegar or bleach instead of detergent, or look for products specially designed for this purpose.
Sometimes, grey marks on clothes after washing happen because of dirt or detergent buildup inside the washing machine. Over time, the drum or rubber seals can collect residue, which then transfers onto your clothes. Another reason could be worn-out seals that release grease or grime during the wash.
Swapping powder detergents for liquid detergents: Liquid detergents often dissolve quicker than powder making them less likely to stain. This is especially important if you regularly wash your clothes on colder washes. Opting for less is more with fabric softener: Don't be tempted to overdo it with the fabric softener.
Likely, the gray stains are caused at least partially by grime and dirt that has built up in your washer. Run your washer for a full cycle on hot water with a cup of bleach in the mix.
Grey marks usually occur after a washer has been used for a long period on only cool or cold washes. The inside of the outer drum gets covered in a greasy clay like build up and this eventually starts to break away and get re deposited onto the clothes being washed.
However, when detergents fail to create a lather, they can leave a residue or 'soap scum' behind instead. You may recognise this as a grey slime in your washing machine that congeals in the drum, the door and the rubber seal in between them.
Clothes tend to fade in the laundry cycle due to hot water washes, harsh detergents, agitation during washing and overdrying. The dye itself can also cause bleeding and fading if it is not well-set or if the wrong type of dye was used on a certain fabric.
Lint, undissolved detergent, and soil can redeposit on your clothes and cause white residue when the water in your washer is draining too slowly or because of a clogged or failing water pump.
Dull gray or white stains (which are not permanent like bleach stains) could be due to: Elevated levels of calcium in the water. A chemical reaction between liquid softener, detergent, and suds, which can create a white deposit on clothes.
“To prevent or remove scrud, it's recommended to clean the washing machine's detergent and fabric softener compartments, run empty hot water cycles with vinegar or specialised washing machine cleaners, and periodically wipe down the interior surfaces of the machine.”
If you wash your clothes with detergent and notice weird stains that were never there before, you might be dealing with detergent stains or perhaps even oil, limescale, and rust stains. After a wash, this is usually the last thing you expect, but it's more common than you might think.
Clothes may get stained due to detergent or fabric softener buildup, mold or mildew inside the washer drum, hard water deposits, or rust from old plumbing. Regular cleaning of the washer and checking for potential rust or mold issues can help prevent staining.
Soak & scrub – Fill a bucket, sink, or tub with warm water and white vinegar and allow the soiled clothes to soak for at least an hour. Use a soft-bristled brush for stubborn stains and to make sure the detergent residue is fully released from the fabric's fibers.
These spots are usually caused by an excess fabric softener that isn't correctly diluted or distributed during the wash cycle. When fabric softener is directly applied to clothing or accumulates in the washing machine, it can leave behind unsightly marks that are tough to remove.
Reason #1: you're overloading your washing machine
More often than not, streaks on clothes are caused by undissolved washing powder or residue from detergent. This happens when you've loaded too much into your machine so the detergent gets caught in the folds of clothing.
Old detergent, fabric softener, and lint can create a sludgy layer inside the drum, which may rub off your clothes, creating grey marks. This issue is particularly problematic in high-efficiency machines that use less water, as there's less liquid to flush away debris.
You've got a few options... I always try dish soap first because that stuff is awesome on grease stain and it's always my go to... ... Or...Soak in a one to one ratio or either vinegar or lemon juice and water for 15 minutes... Wash in warm water. Still there? Sprinkle with borax and let sit for 15 and wash again.
Run the hottest available cycle without any clothes using a descaler/cleaner. Constant washing at low temperatures (40°C or less) and increasing use of detergents (enzyme-based) can block hoses, cause odours in the washing machine and can leave deposits on your laundry.
Woolite All Darks Laundry Detergent
To prevent your favorite black tops and jeans from fading to gray after just a few washes, wash them inside out in cold water with a color-preserving detergent like Woolite All Darks.
Washing in Cold Water Can Help Reduce Fading & Color Bleeding. Hot water is more damaging to fabric fibers. Washing dark-colored fabric in cold water can help keep rich, deep colors looking their best.
The residue or soap scum is the build up of washing detergents and fabric softeners that stays in the washing machine and does not get rinsed away. The build up can start to come away from the drum and the door and find its way back onto your clothes leaving dirty black marks.