What Can You Do When Your Washing Machine Leaves Stains?
Every day, we trust our washing machines to do the jobs they were designed to do, without even thinking about it.
From dirty jeans with grass and mud stains to wet towels and more delicate garments, this workhorse usually does the job of cleaning our laundry consistently and reliably. Dirty laundry in, clean laundry out - almost like magic!
But magic can sometimes be broken. What if your washing machine suddenly starts to leave stains on your clothes that weren't there before? If it's an oily or greasy stain, the problem may be with your particular model. Check the website of your washing machine brand to see if there is a history of problems, then follow the instructions to resolve the situation or contact the manufacturer for more information. 
No model fault to blame? Here are some problems that can cause your clean laundry to come out dirty:
Dirty Drum
The washing machine drum may have accumulated oily residue from previous loads. Try cleaning the drum by running an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar or bleach instead of detergent, or look for products specifically designed for this purpose. Then wipe around the drum and door seal with a clean, dry cloth and use a cotton swab to clean around the drain holes.
The Seal May Be Old and Possibly Moldy
Are black streaks appearing on your clothes? This could indicate a problem with the gasket in your washing machine, especially if your machine is a front-load washer. When water doesn't dry around a faulty seal, mold often forms and stains when clothes come into contact with it. Try cleaning with white vinegar, but if this doesn't solve the problem, you may need to replace the entire gasket.
Drive Belt May Be Damaged
Another problem could be a damaged drive belt, but not all washing machines have a drive belt. If yours does, it's what turns the drum to dispense detergent, bleach and fabric softener during the wash. If the drive belt is damaged, the drum won't spin properly, causing detergent and other washing agents to fall in one spot and cause staining. You will need to replace the drive belt.
Ball Bearings Need Replacement
The drum in your washing machine spins freely and easily thanks to the bearings, and if the bearings are old and starting to wear out, you may see black marks or rust on the clothes. If you start to hear a metallic squeaking sound accompanying these marks, it's probably your bearings and you'll need to call someone to replace them.
Enamel May Be Chipped and Rusted
If the stains are reddish, it could be rust caused by chipped enamel in the drum or dispenser. Many washing machine manufacturers offer drum replacement options. If you like to fix things yourself, try sanding the chipped spots and then painting them with a rust-resistant paint.
Your softener may be dispensed incorrectly
Another source of mystery stains can be fabric softener sticking to the greasy spots. To solve this problem, reduce the amount of fabric softener you use or try not to put too many clothes in each load. Softener needs to be evenly distributed over the clothes to work properly, so experiment to find the right load size and the amount of additive that results in the desired amount of softness without any stains.
If you have tried all these solutions and your clothes still come out of the wash with unexplained stains, your dryer could be the culprit. In this case, try the same model troubleshooting tips for your washing machine, clean the inner drum and the door seal, then call an appliance repairman.
Thanks for reading.
