Have you unloaded your laundry only to find new stains? Obviously, that's not supposed to happen. Some laundry detergents can leave visible stains on fabrics when they fail to dissolve or rinse out during the wash cycle.
There are several ways to remove laundry detergent stains, but it's even better to avoid them in the first place.
We take a quick look at the best way to reduce the risk of detergent staining your clothes. We'll explore alternatives and list bulletproof ways to lift stains if the worst happens.
Understanding Detergent Stains
What Do Detergent Stains Look Like?
Detergent dyes like blue and green pigments can transfer onto fabrics, creating visible streaks, patches, or discoloration after washing.
Depending on your laundry product, stains appear as blue or white streaks or splashes on dark items or discolored, grey, or dull patches on whites. Occasionally, stains may present as yellow on white garments.
On colored clothes, the garment can appear faded because the dye is absorbed unevenly. The texture could be waxy, soapy, or roughened.
Different products stain in various ways; this also dictates how you remove the marks.
What Causes Detergent Stains?
Detergent stains occur when laundry products fail to dissolve or disperse evenly in wash water, causing residue to bond to fabric fibers. The excess detergent is trapped in the fabric. There are several reasons for this:
You could have used too much detergent for the wash size, which is a problem with concentrated pre-dosed pods. You may also have a laundry product, typically laundry powder, that doesn't dissolve well in cold water.
You can also create soap stains if you use the wrong detergent type for the dispenser or put the detergent in the wrong place. Overloading your machine will also impact the product's performance.
Storing a laundry product incorrectly, such as allowing it to freeze in an icy garage or car, or exposing it to humidity, will also cause the ingredients to degrade, affecting performance and solubility.
How To Remove Detergent Stains From Clothes
It can be shocking to see your detergent's artificial blue or green color streaked across your favorite white tee. However, laundry stains don't have to be permanent. Here's how to remove them from your clothes.
Soak the Garment
If the staining is white, follow the care label instructions on the garment and soak the item in tepid water.
Use a Pre-Treatment
If the detergent has left blue stains, dampen the item with warm water first and apply an oxygen-based pre-treatment. Let the garment rest for about 10 minutes before rinsing in warm water.
You can also use Freddie laundry detergent sheets as a convenient pre-soak option. They dissolve fully in cold water, making them suitable for soaking a variety of fabrics.
Home Remedies
Depending on the type of stained fabric, you can use vinegar, baking soda, or rubbing alcohol instead of a commercial pre-treatment. However, always patch test a small and hidden area of the garment first, like the inside of a hem.
Some of these products can cause discoloration, leaving you with a bigger headache than just a detergent stain!
Rubbing alcohol is helpful for oily stains; oil can bond stains to the fabric's surface. Dab and gently rub the detergent stain with a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth or sponge.
Vinegar's acidity is excellent for breaking down detergent residue. Mix one part white vinegar with one part water. Use a spray bottle like a plant spray to apply the mix to the stain before gently rubbing with a cloth or sponge.
Leave the garment for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cold water. White vinegar is generally suitable for whites and colors and will not damage or fade the fabric.
Everyone has baking soda in their pantry, and this household favorite is great for detergent stains.
Sprinkle some of the powder onto the stain, dampening the area first. Work the baking soda into the stain and leave the garment to sit for a few minutes before rinsing and rewashing in the machine.
Repeat the process if the stain remains after using these home remedies.
Re-launder the Garment
Rewash the item in the machine or on the coolest recommended setting. Heat sets a stain, so removing as much of the mark as possible before adding heat is vital.
The movement of the washer drum helps agitate the detergent and lift the stain from the fabric's fibers. If the stain remains after a wash cycle, repeat the process.
Dry the Item
Tumble dry or air dry, but don't do this until the stain has gone; heat will set anything that remains, making removing it much more challenging.
Preventing Future Detergent Stains
- Use the recommended detergent type for your washer. Most machines have a dedicated drawer for liquids. If you're using a pod or powder, follow the manufacturer's instructions about where to put the product.
- Correct detergent dosing prevents residue buildup on fabrics, especially when matched to load size and garment type.
- Separate your linen by type and color before washing.
- Don't overload the machine; it impacts how well the detergent dissolves in water.
- Wash your clothes inside out so if the worst happens, stains won't show.
- Wash the garments at the recommended temperature.
- Choose the right laundry program to control the amount of water in the machine. Water volume impacts how well a detergent dissolves and mixes during the cycle.
- Store your laundry products in a dry, cool area free from humidity and safe from temperature extremes. Remember, it's easy to damage laundry detergent during transit, exposing it to the wrong temperatures.
- All soap products dissolve less well in hard water, so if you live in a hard water area, consider a water softening product or system for your home. You'll find lots of other benefits for your washer and your clothing.
- Use laundry detergent sheets. Freddie laundry detergent sheets dissolve perfectly in hot and cold water, and they're simple to use. If you need to adjust the amount, just tear the sheet. Our sheets are formulated without synthetic dyes, reducing the risk of visible color residue on washed fabrics compared to some liquid detergents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Laundry Detergent Stains Come Out?
You can remove laundry detergent stains with careful pre-treatment and rewashing the garment. However, treating and lifting the stain before exposing the garment to heat is essential, as heat sets stains. An excellent way to lift stains is to use a laundry detergent sheet to pre-soak safely and effectively in cold water.
Will Vinegar Remove Detergent Stains?
Vinegar removes detergent stains from clothes and shoes, but it's essential to use white vinegar diluted with an equal part of water. Rub the stain gently with the solution. Agitating the fabric is critical as this helps to lift the stain from the material's fibers.
Laundry Detergent Sheets Provide a Convenient Option for Managing Stains
The best way to avoid detergent stains is to consider using a pre-measured format like detergent sheets to help control the amount used in each load.
Freddie laundry detergent sheets are easy to dose and formulated without artificial dyes or colorants, helping reduce the risk of the type of stains sometimes associated with liquid detergents. They are designed to dissolve completely in all water temperatures, helping to minimize leftover residue.
With Freddie, your laundry routine can combine stain care with low-waste packaging and mindful ingredients. Simplify your laundry routine now with Freddie laundry sheets.
