No, a washing machine itself does not typically cause stains on clothes. However, there are some instances where stains can occur or get worse in the wash. With proper use and care, washing machines are designed to clean clothes without damaging them.
What Causes Stains in the Wash
While the washing machine itself does not create stains, there are some common causes of stains related to the laundry process. These include:
Bleach
Bleach is a common laundry product used to brighten whites and remove stains. However, if used incorrectly, bleach can cause discoloration on clothes. This happens when:
- Too much bleach is used
- Bleach is directly applied to clothing
- Bleach is used on non-white or colored items
To prevent bleach stains, always follow package directions and check clothes for colorfastness first. Never pour bleach directly on clothes.
Dyes
Washing a red sock with white shirts is a classic laundry mishap. The red dye bleeds from the sock onto the white items, creating pink splotches. This can happen whenever a dyed item sheds excess color, especially if the wash water is hot.
To stop dye transfer, wash darks and lights separately. Wash new colored items first separately as well. Also turn down the temperature and avoid long wash cycles.
Heat
Heat can set some stains that may have gone unnoticed before the wash. Food, grease, ink, and other stains can soak into fabric over time. Then when exposed to hot water and agitation, the stains bond further rather than lift out.
To stop this, always pre-treat stains before washing. Check clothes carefully and use stain removers or spot clean as needed before starting a load.
Residue
Residue from laundry products themselves can occasionally stain clothes. For example, gels, powders, liquids, and pods can sometimes leave spots if not fully dissolved or rinsed away.
To prevent this, make sure laundry products dissolve fully before starting the wash cycle. Do not overstuff the machine – leave room for clothes to move freely. Always measure products carefully to avoid excess suds or residue.
Proper Use of Washers for Stain-Free Laundry
While staining is possible in some situations, most stains that develop in the wash can be prevented. Follow these tips for using your washing machine correctly:
Sort Carefully
Take time to properly sort clothes by color, fabric type, and care labels. Sorting helps prevent dye transfer issues as well as problems from improper washing methods.
As a rule of thumb:
- Whites
- Lights
- Bright colors
- Dark colors
- Delicates
Also, heavily soiled items should be washed separately from cleaner items whenever possible.
Pre-Treat Stains
Check over each item carefully before washing. Use stain removers, wipes, home treatments, or spot cleaning to address any visible stains beforehand. This helps lift stains rather than set them during the wash process.
Read Care Labels
Follow all garment care instructions. These indicate safe washing methods, temperatures, and any special care needed. Ignoring labels is a common cause of accidental shrinking, dye issues, fading, and other damage.
Measure Detergent
Pouring detergent directly onto clothes can lead to concentrated spots. Instead, measure the recommended amount and fully dissolve detergent in water before adding clothes. This helps ensure even cleaning and rinsing.
Load Properly
Overstuffing can lead to poor cleaning results. Leave room for water and detergent to penetrate and loosen soils. Water should fully circulate to rinse away all residues. Loading too little can also imbalance the machine. Follow guidelines in your owner’s manual.
Select Machine Settings
Choose the appropriate settings like water temperature and wash cycle for the items. Use hot washes only when necessary to avoid excess dye loss or heat setting of stains. Select extra rinse cycles if needed to remove all traces of detergent residue.
Maintain Washer
Regular cleaning and upkeep prevents build-up of soils, mold, residues, and detergent spots inside the machine. These can redeposit on clothes if not removed through proper maintenance.
By correctly operating your washing machine and taking steps to prevent stain issues, you can safely keep clothes looking like new. Always check care labels, pre-treat stains, and take care while loading. Contact a repair professional if your washer itself seems to be causing consistent staining or damage. With the proper techniques, washing machines do an excellent job cleaning all varieties of fabrics and colors.
References:
How to Do Laundry | Consumer Reports. (n.d.). Www.Consumerreports.Org. https://www.consumerreports.org/laundry/how-to-do-laundry/
How to Keep Clothes from Fading, Shrinking, Pilling and Staining in the Wash. (2020, August 24). Good Housekeeping. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a25767/wash-clothes-without-damage/
Laundry Problems and Solutions. (2022, August 2). The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/laundry-problems-and-solutions-2146358
Stain Removal Basics. (n.d.). Clorox. https://www.clorox.com/learn/stain-removal-basics/
Why Does My Washing Machine Keep Damaging Clothes? (n.d.). CDA Appliances. https://www.cda.eu/blog/why-does-my-washing-machine-keep-damaging-clothes/
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.