oily streaks on clothes from washing machine

cardiogirl

I've just done a white wash at 60 degrees & a white shirt has what looks like streaks of oil over it.
I have 2 questions really - firstly, has anyone any suggestions as to how to remove the oil? Secondly, is there anything wrong with my machine that I need to get fixed. I ususally wash on a quick wash at 40 degrees so it's very unusual for me to do a full wash at 60. I would appreciate any ideas.

kwatt

Hi Cardiogirl,

I've got most of them listed HERE for washers and dishwashers. If you can find the one that closest matches it should tell you both the cause and the cure.

It is unlikely to be a fault with the machine, possible, but unlikely, To have a stab at that I'd need to know what machine and how old it is.

HTH

K.

cardiogirl

I've posted the message below on the 'in my home' thread, but have realised that this may be the best place for it. Hope someone can help.

I've just done a white wash at 60 degrees & a white shirt has what looks like streaks of oil over it.
I have 2 questions really - firstly, has anyone any suggestions as to how to remove the oil? Secondly, is there anything wrong with my machine that I need to get fixed. I ususally wash on a quick wash at 40 degrees so it's very unusual for me to do a full wash at 60. I would appreciate any ideas.

cardiogirl

Dear Kwatt,
What a useful list, thank you. Unfortunately, nothing seems to be the cause of my oily streaks. i thought the section marked 'black or dark stains thought to be grease' would hold the answer, but all I had in the machine were 3 white shirts & a cream duvet cover, so nothing that could have hair preparations on.
The machine is a Bosch Maxx WFL 2260 & is about 8 or 9 years old.

clou19750

This oily streak on the shirt suggests there may be a problem with the drum of the washing machine as i had this problem 2 years ago as i keep finding oily streaks on clothes on and off for a few weeks and then in the end washing machine packed up!!

Hope this helps?

kwatt

Hi,

It'd amaze you what we see on stuff. Long hair onto a shirt can cause that.

But anyway...

It's possible that it could be the bearings failing but it's unusual to get that, although not unheard of. That era of Bosch has no issues I know about and they are pretty decent machines from that period. If it was the bearings the machine would be well noisy, especially if t got to the point where it was marking clothes like that.

So, I'd be thinking that since you usually wash on a quick wash at 40˚C that the what you're seeing is bacteria over the clothes that's been released from inside the tub. The tub is the bit round the drum you put your clothes in.

Quick washes are the spawn of Satan, avoid wherever possible as they don't clean correctly despite what anyone tells you. They are intended to "refresh" clothes that are already clean, not to clean dirty clothes that have been worn, at all.

What happens is that, over time, the bacteria and gunk isn't cleared out properly largely due to low temp washes and it forms a thick black sludge like substance. Essentially it's just layer upon layer of bacteria that builds up inside the machine. When you've done a hot wash it's loosened off some of that sludge and it's gotten on the clothes.

I'd suggest a maintenance wash or two or a good dose of Affresh to clear it out of all the gunk that's most likely in there as that's likely to be all it is that's caused the problem.

After that, stop with the quick washes.

HTH

K.

ormus

the grease escaping from the drum main bearing is the most likely cause. get ready for a new bearing.
you may hear a clanging noise soon.

cardiogirl

Thank you - that really is helpful although pretty revolting!! I've just informed my son that his work shirt is marked with bacteria & sludge - i won't repeat his reply! I shall take your advice, thanks again.

cherrypacker

this happened to me recently,when the engineer came to look,he explained that washing at low temperatures and not using biological powder with bleaching agents in it(i had been using washing liquids)can result in a build up of gunk that can come off and mark clothes (light ones are more noticable)what you need to do is put the washer on a 90 degree wash or ,as hot as your washer goes,use a biological powder-(ariel green box) put it on without any clothes in it you may needto do this a few times

cardiogirl

Thank you, I'll give that a go.

cardiogirl

Just a quick update - got some hot water, scrubbing brush & w-up liquid to atack the 'grease marks' & they came of with just water & a gentle rub which seems to confirm the sludge theory not the grease from the bearings one to my immense relief.