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Struggling with the same laundry issue for years now- please help!!!

post #1 of 18
2/20/10 at 1:08pm
Thread Starter 
Almost all of my shirts come out with what I call grease stains. They have spots on them that look like it's wet, but it's not wet. I have had this issue since I started doing my own laundry when I was a teenager! It doesn't matter what laundry detergent I use (I've used a ton of different ones over the years). I don't use fabric softner at all. It is so depressing to pull on a clean shirt just to discover a big grease spot. I have maybe 2 shirts that don't have any at the moment. I am now struggling to get the spots out- I've been spot treating them and throwing them back in, but the either don't come out, or they come out with the old spots gone and new ones their.

Please help!!!! I am getting so discouraged by this.

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post #2 of 18
2/20/10 at 1:26pm
Have you been using the same washer and dryer all that time?
post #3 of 18
2/20/10 at 2:43pm
Thread Starter 
No, I've used many, many different washers/dryers. It has happened where ever I live, whatever machines I use. Even when visiting family and using their machines/laundry soap, or their machines/my soap.
post #4 of 18
2/20/10 at 4:45pm
I have this problem as well and am hoping someone has the answer for us.
post #5 of 18
2/20/10 at 8:40pm
Not sure what is causing it, but have you tried a bit of dish soap? My DD seems to get food on her shirts most days, so I know where it's coming from with her, but I've had good luck squirting a bit of dish soap on the grease spots and then re-washing.
post #6 of 18
2/20/10 at 8:44pm
Are you overloading the machine?

Clothes can rub up against the top rim and collect the oil that the machine is lubricated with.

Liz
post #7 of 18
2/20/10 at 9:22pm
Separate polyesters and cottons for washing/drying. Your polyesters are leaving the "grease stains" on the cottons.
post #8 of 18
2/20/10 at 9:52pm
Anytime I've had this I just spray them with Shout and toss them back in. It always removes any grease spots, whether they're of "unknown origin" or because I got too close to the skillet while cooking bacon.
post #9 of 18
2/20/10 at 10:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife View Post
Not sure what is causing it, but have you tried a bit of dish soap? My DD seems to get food on her shirts most days, so I know where it's coming from with her, but I've had good luck squirting a bit of dish soap on the grease spots and then re-washing.
Whatever you do DO NOT use Green Apple Palmolive!!! MIL managed to stain DD's good winter coat with this stuff by trying to get out hot chocolate (that, quite frankly, would have come out with no pretreatment whatsoever). Then she "made it better" by turning one entire panel of DD's jacket lime green. I have tried everything and the green tint will NOT come out.
post #10 of 18
2/21/10 at 12:38am
Zout is a really great stain remover, especially for grease stains. I get them on me when I'm cooking.
post #11 of 18
2/21/10 at 1:06am
nak
this used to happen to dh. someone once said that it was likely grease he got on the shirt that appeared after washing- maybe it sets in or something.
a stain remover helps after the fact.
post #12 of 18
2/21/10 at 1:18am
I get these on my front - they must be food related, as they are always on the bib area, not under the arms or on the back. Dawn dish soap gets it out.
post #13 of 18
2/21/10 at 4:34pm
i get this as well, sometimes the spot is really small before you wash it but spreads in the cycle because of the hot water or dryer.
i started washing on cold and drying on low and the spots stopped. or at least they stay small enough now that i dont see them.
post #14 of 18
2/21/10 at 7:52pm
This happens to our laundry occasionally too.

There is this stuff called Greased Lightning. It's not at all green, but it really works. The consignment shop I take the kids clothes to recommended it to me. Also, I can only find it at Wal-Mart and I really try to avoid that place...anyhoo, it totally works on those pesky little grease spots or other set in stains.
post #15 of 18
2/22/10 at 12:53am
this happens to me too, but only when dh leaves his lip balm stick (chapstick - but all-natural stuff) in his pants.
post #16 of 18
2/22/10 at 4:23pm
Shout Advanced has a formula for grease stains. It is in an aerosol container. It works miracles.
post #17 of 18
2/22/10 at 10:39pm

do you wear a lot of lotion/moisturizer?

i just had a thought: maybe it's something in your beauty routine that is causing an oil build-up while washing and then the floating oil is settling in spots on your clothing. sounds out there.....but if you've been having this problem no matter where and how you wash your laundry, idk, it sounds like it might be something in your routine that's causing the spots.

i hope you figure it out!
post #18 of 18
2/22/10 at 10:40pm
also, are you washing maybe greasy kitchen/lotiony bath towels WITH your clothing? that could be the cause too.
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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Natural Family Living › The Mindful Home › Struggling with the same laundry issue for years now- please help!!!