I've never posted here before - or even knew this board existed for that matter. One of the girls on another board recommended I ask this here. I hope it's okay! I'm at my wits end!
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We've been having a problem with our laundry. It's been going on for 2 different washers, so I know it's not the washer. Our current washer is about 1 1/2 years old.
We've noticed random spots of what I can only describe as stains that look like oil or grease stains on our tees and DH's polo shirts. It's so freakin' annoying already. The stains aren't there when we put them INTO the wash.
My mom thinks it can happen because soap is going directly onto the clothes instead of mixing with the water first, but i'm not pouring the detergent onto the clothes, I'm pouring it into the dispenser on the top of the washer, and then I guess somehow the washer dispenses the detergent. And we use whatever free and clear is on sale... for the past few months it's been All, but it's happened with Purex free and clear and Arm and Hammer free and clear as well.
Any thoughts as to how I can avoid this in the future? And as to whether or not I can get these freakin' stains out? I'm tired of throwing out clothes.
thanks.

Re: laundry question - xp
Do you have a front loading washer? I have seen this happen before. With a regular washer, the soap has a chance to mix with the water. The front loaders drop it directly on the clothes, so even if the water is going, they can leave a stain. Are you maybe using too MUCH detergent? Also, you could switch to powder (although I've never been a fan) and that would likely solve the problem.
Henri and Charlotte, Christmas 2012
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I replied to your other one but I don't know if you saw it - we had the same thing and I thought it was detergent so I started adding before the clothes and letting the water run for a bit (top-loader). They were still showing up, so I ruled that out (though I still do it as a precaution).
I later realized they were oil/grease stains from food - I worked in a restaurant at the time. My friends with kids get the same thing from their kids touching their clothes. Once in the hamper the oils transfer easily to other items. I ran the clothes with spots through a wash with shampoo and they disappeared. Shampoo is great for removing oil, bodily or otherwise. If it's a really stubborn spot, trying rubbing some shampoo directly on the spot pre-wash.
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Not sure if this is exactly what you're talking about but we were buying Xtra detergent because it was cheaper and our clothes would come out with what looked like blue stains on them. It kept happening so we decided to switch detergent. We now use Tide (normally we get it with color safe bleach) and haven't had a problem since.
Recently though we ran out of Tide and had some Clorox or something on hand and used that and blue spots showed up again. Noticed them on our pillowcases, but the next time we washed them the spots were gone so maybe try washing your clothes again and I would try Tide. More expensive but I think worth it.