Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

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RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I've had this bleach like staining issue on my laundry for about 4 years now. Frustrating! I just couldn't figure it out. I came from well water, then moved to city water and still the same problem. Certain colors are more effected than others--purples, greens and blues. I had different washing machines too. It isn't the machines! This particular issue was not due to acne medications (which contain bleach).

It has to be the detergents - now a days the companies must be adding a certain chemical which happens to cause a reaction which leaves cotton towels, sheets and shirts with light pink/peach colored bleach like stains! It could be the combination of fabric softener w/detergent or just the detergent.

As of the past few months, I switched to all Free and Clear and use Gain liquid fabric softener for towels, sheets, socks and such. For shirts and pants, only the All Free and Clear, then Gain fabric softener sheets. And I haven't had one stain incident since! I would love to use scented detergents. I liked the fresh smell it gave. But I will not risk losing clothes, sheets and towels to any more bleach like stains! Trust me, the All Free and Clear solved the problem!

Post by ssan6568

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

The one common denominator is the fabrics, which I think is the problem. Whether towels or clothing, it never used to be a problem, so what is different now? I think it's the overseas manufacturing processes and dyes. My aunt died 2 years ago and I got a beautiful set of rose colored decorated towel, washcloth, handtowels. I use the same products on my skin that I use on my Ralph Lauren towels from Kohl's and the color stays true with no spots on the old set, while the newer ones are ruined. The towels, while put away and not previously used, were made in the USA in 1987, while the Lauren and others I've had with similar spots were made in India and other overseas countries. I've always had oily skin and used benzoyl peroxide, astrigents, and Retin-A for years. Also liquid hand soaps and whitening toothpaste. It's only been in the last several years the problem has shown up. The same is true for pillowcases, old versus new. I've also had problems with sunscreen I use on my neck turning my collars yellow. I think the alcohol in that and colognes is the reason. These things never used to happen to me. I really think it's all the overseas, cheap labor products.

Post by kshope

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Wow, I had been having this same problem for months. Now that I read this post and all the feedback, I did a quick test. I took a colored shirt and smeared it with small distinct dabs of 1) liquid hand soap 2) clean and clear acne medication 3) anti-bacterial soap and then I threw it in the wash. End result: the benzoyl peroxide clean and clear acne medication was the culprit. I guess I must have been wiping my hands on my shirt or something after applying to my face; either that, or it was rubbing off of my face and onto my shirts when I took them off at night. Now I know!

Post by skilkie

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

People, it's the water! They are treating it with too much chlorine. Yes, the amount that they use they claim is within E.P.A. guidelines but still too much and is causing spotting and bleach stains on your laundry. Not discounting acne creams, etc. but the culprit is chlorine!

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I have an interesting problem myself. allot of my shirts for the past 2 years or so have been mildly bleached just on the shoulders. I don't use bleach on them and I don't use any kind of special face wash. the stains are always the exact same. starting on the shoulder and growing in intensity the more times I wear them. I cant understand it being anything other then my body doing it, but it just seems so weird. If anyone has any ideas I would be grateful to know them.

Post By phillip (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Rob gee, you're right, I have old towels that never bleached out. The moment I got new ones they spotted. I'm going to hold onto my old ones a while longer. By the way the old ones were made in the USA. I've been looking for towels made in the USA but haven't found any...go figure.

Post By Jamie L. (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I have had the random bleach stains on laundry off and on for a couple of years now. My husband accused me of bleaching his colored shirts! Okay, I'm not that stupid. After reading many of the other posts I am wondering if it is the city water treatment that communities do. We don't use any acne treatment and our spots are not around the neck, more random than that. If it is, in fact, the city water, is there anything that a person can do?

Post By Tammy (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I am sick of stains on all my pastel and light color items! It happens before I even wash them! I've moved mutliple times and all locations had different washers. I've never used bleach when doing laundry. It's awful!

Post By Gianna (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I have this random bleach stain looking things happening to my clothes also. In my case however it never happens to towels, just my clothes. I have no idea what the problem could be because some of these clothes I've had for 5 years and they have never had these spots on them until the last year or so.

I don't use face stuff or bleach very often. My mom suggests poorly made clothes, but like I said I've had some of these clothes for years and it just started happening a lot. Green, black, blue clothes, and sometimes they just get faded without spots.

It's very upsetting some of my favorite shirts are getting ruined and one of my good skirts. My only thought it that it is my washing machine. I bought it when i moved into my apt a year and a half ago. I bought it new though. Any suggestions as to why this is happening?

Post By Niki (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

So, what else do you use on your face, if not acne medication?

Post By Jason (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

So here it is, and I can say this with certainty:

For years I have gotten those random bleach stains. After finding this post, I did some expiriments. Here's the findings:

Laundry Detergent: Yes, this can cause the stains. If you have a detergent with "color safe bleach" or a "whitener", be sure to shake the liquid before using, as you can get a concentration of the whitener in a cap of soap. You can also add the clothes AFTER you fill the washer with water and detergent, to dilute the soap issue. if you use powder detergent, I highly reccomend the latter.

Acne medication: ABSOLUTELY the highest risk, however I think there should be an addendum to this statement (mention it below)... Almost all the acne cleansers that are NOT salicylic acid will cause the problem. Proactive and Clean and Clear are notorious. The expiriment I did to test the theory was as follows:

I used clean and clear in the shower, then made certain (on an older towel) to dry my face only in one particular area of the towel. Sure enough, that area proved to have stains upon drying. To further test this, I asked a roommate to use his acne product under the same circumstances (area of towel), and the results, not surprisingly were the same (his Proactive actually seemed to make the stains worse).

Now, what about that addendum I mentioned earlier? Be weary of antibacterial agents in your soaps. hand soaps with many antibacterial agents seem to cause the same result. Same expiriment as above was done to come to this conclusion. My example comes, like a previous person mentioned, from the "Method" brand foaming hand soap from Target.

I feel that the producers of these products should be held liable for the damages caused, as no warnings, written nor implied, are ever given.

I hope this helps people avoid the problem. Do what you can in your own mode of living to accomodate these issues. In talking to my doctor, he actually said that the whole "antibacterial" agents in hand soap are a sham. Soap, in it's most basic form is anti-bacterial by nature. I have switched my handsoap to a nice smelling diluted mixture of dish soap (palmolive is great on the hands) and water. It's worked great, and no more stained hand towels. I switched acne cleansers to ones which use salicylic acid as the active ingredient, and I always dilute my laundry detergent now, in addition to agitating the bottle to make certain any whitening and brightening agents are mixed well before use. Since those implementations.... no problems.

Post By Jason Collins (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I can relate to bleach stains on bath towels. If you use a toothpaste with a whitener in it and you wipe your hands or mouth onto to towel the spots will appear when you wash it. CB Oakdale, PA

Post By cb (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

So glad to have found this! My fiance's clothes have been getting bleach stains around the collar/neck of all his shirts for several months now. We tried EVERYTHING to figure it out, and finally determined it to be the Proactiv. Sure enough, he has stopped using it in the morning and only uses it at night, and the stains on his clothes have stopped! I wish I had found this sooner but am glad to have an answer!

Post By Melissa (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Crazy, I use Clean and Clear Persagel religiously on my face. After so many people stating this exact product and other products with the benzoyl peroxide in it, I'm feeling pretty confident about it being the cause to my bleached towels and shirts around the collar and on my back (where I do sweat quite a bit) my constant use must be allowing the product to come out with my perspiration. I'm glad I finally figured out a direct cause so I can try to avoid it from happening again! I use to think I had some naturally incredibly acidic sweat or something... although I still wonder why it only causes pink stains, and on mostly blue, or shades of blue clothing and towels, and I read that this is the case of many other people as well, any suggestions?

Post By Emily (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I bought $200 worth of light brown nice towels from wal mart and within a few days they started getting what looks like bleach stains. Very aggrivating. I have used every kind of detergent and they still spot. They never come in contact with cleaners or proactive. I am very carefull with them as this is an expensive purchase for me. It has to be something with the dye and water. I do think we should be able to return them to where we bought them with no guestions asked for an exchange in a different color or a refund with reciept.

Post By Emily (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I have been noticing that ever since I began using a colored bath mat, bleach stains have been appearing. I live in an old apartment with an old falling apart shower that we have tried to keep clean and get rid of mold using cleaners. I am thinking that any cleaning we have done is somehow being transferred to the towels, mostly the bath mat and now some of the larger towels. What can i do to stop the bleach stains? Can I do something to my shower? OR do I just have to buy white towels now.

Post By Dee (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Same problem here!! I'm almost positive my last episode of bleached towels came from my hand soap "Method" located in the bathroom. Don't wash your hands with that stuff and dry your hands on a nice towel. Thats the only thing that it could be..

Post By Ashley (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I have the same problem, but don't use any acne medicine or Tide. In fact, these mysterious orange/pink bleach spots turned up on towels before I even washed them for the first time. I'm mystified and would love to solve the mystery. Now I've taken to buying towels the color of the spots so that you can't see them.

Post By Renee in NYC (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I posted twice before about this problem, once desperately looking for a solution two posts, (6/07), the second time (3/08) with a possible solution. Well I came back to let you all know that there has been no incidents since I have changed laundry detergent. (I am not discounting acne meds...we just don't use them so that was not our problem).

I had quit using the tide powder that I have used for many years. I switched to the Tide liquid concentrate (top loading...be careful which you get as there are differences), put cup and all in the tub before the water then load. I have not had an incident since. Daringly, I have started using hot water again.

My theory is that The Tids product had changed. ALSO maybe it was old and sat too long. I buy it at Sams club 2 at a time and always keep one stored as backup. Maybe it wasn't dissolving. That happens with dishwasher powder and makes a real mess.

Anyway, I hope that was our problem even though the bleach marks sometimes looked like bleach was poured right on rather than undissolved speckles and splotches.
Just wanted to let you all know that so far the switch has worked unless something changed in the water that I don't know about.
br

Post by billie ricks

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

My goodness. Finally, after years of random, bleached out spots on towels. I googled the problem, generally it is liquid soaps of any kind. I recently visited a friend's home and found the towel I had used the night before after washing my face was "bleached" out in spots. Since the towel wasn't washed in my home, we looked at what I had used. Simple liquid soap we all buy for the convenience and use in lieu of bar soap. To test our theory we put it on a new towel and washed it. Produced the white bleach spots. I have gotten rid of all liquid soaps and with them went the problem.

Post By rosemary (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I used shout stain remover (for colors) On a beige pair of capris and I put a little bit on a spot and then when the laundry was done most of my darker colored clothing were covered in red spots and blotches. Is there any way I can get a black pair of shorts (demin) and a navy blue pair of short (cotton) back to there original color? Maybe dye?

Post By Lorraine (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

While having lunch with a coworker she mentioned that her dermatologist told her to keep the perscription face cream away from color clothes like towels and pillow cases. I have been having that problem the the towels in the girls bathroom only. Now I know. Ther is proactive in there and perscription cream.

Post by nbruegirls

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I am so relieved to learn that I am not the only one having this problem. After reading all the feedback, the one thread I see running through this is Tide. I also use Tide (Free & Clear) & Downy Free & Clear. I have the problem only on towels (mine are light blue) but I have ruined so many lovely towels. Also expensive or cheap doesn't seem to matter. I already put the detergent in first and let the water fill before I put the towels in, but this didn't help. We don't use the acne medication or the peroxide. I'm going to try the All Free & Clear and see if that helps. I'll post back when I know.

Post By Connie R (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

OMG! I have read these feedback responses as I too have had this maddening problem for months. It is NOT cleaning products as I have nothing in my home with bleach that would be anywhere near the towels AND sheets affected. I too thought it was left over bleach water in a laundry room shared with the other tenants in my complex but realized that was NOT it. Here's why... My boyfriend has beautiful 600 thread count sheets that he brought with him when he moved in. They were (yes, past tense) lovely. They were freshly laundered when I put them on the bed. They had no bleach stains. The next morning the pillow and sheet where his shoulders had touched were all bleached to heck! Reading these notes gave me the answer, which also explains our towels that are damaged - new towels, old towels, inexpensive towels and VERY spendy ones - all damaged. CLEAN and CLEAR PERSA-GEL10 MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACNE MEDICATION. My boyfriend asked me (interesting to admit this) to help him with back acne and I know my teen daughter LOVES this product and it works for her so we used it on his back and shoulders the night the bleaching occurred on the sheets. My daughter's bath towels have been damaged (she uses the cream too), hand towels (from washing faces). It's a shame it took so long for me to google "Night Sweats Bleach Sheets" and found out what it is. I'll test the theory on an old towel to confirm. Lots of nice sheets and towels are permanently damaged. I'm thinking that I should also check our face-scrubs. My daughter and I use several types and they are always in the shower stall. I'll bet my boyfriend has been using them to try to get rid of his shoulder and back acne problem, didn't mention it to us and that's why almost all our nicer, most used towels are damaged. Mystery solved, feels like.

Post By Karen in Portland (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I have had this problem for the last 3 years! I hate to buy new towels because of it. I don't use any of the acne medications, have not changed detergents, don't use chlorine containing cleaning solutions, don't wipe my body or face when I have ANY lotion or oil on me, AND IT IS ONLY ON MY COLORED TOWELS! No clothing has ever been effected! Towel manufacturers need to solve this problem for the consumers or refund our purchase price each time this happens to new purchases! This is obviously a problem all consumers have and something needs to be done!

Post By fzapmer (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Hey I saw your post and was eager to respond. I just figured out the mystery to the bleach-like stains on my bath towels. I have been blaming my husband for months now! But after many experiments I have realized that it is the face scrub of Proactive solution. I started using it in the shower to wash my face and when I get out of the shower the first thing I usually dry is my face. I noticed that after I hung up my towel on the rack I would walk out of the bathroom and when I came back in later in the day the towel would be bleached. So I washed my face in the sink and dried my face on a towel to test it out and sure enough that is why they are bleached. Test it out on a towel you will see. =)

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I have this problem for about 5 years now. At first I thought my son was using towels to wash out the tub with a cleaning product. Later all new towels I bought had the problem. I tried everything, including prewashing towels in plain cold water with vinegar. I thought it may be cheap towels, so I even bought more expensive ones. My old old towels are still not spotted. I am convinced that it is the dyes in the towels & not any face products etc. I say we all write & complain to the manufacturers.

Post By Rob Gee (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I posted details in great frustration back in June 07. Since then I have switched to tide liquid concentrate (regular) from the powder (due to the fact that Sams keeps changing products). I have also started using cold water more than I used to.

I still wonder about the water, the age of the washer (24 yr old maytag), dry bleach (haven't used in several mos., plumbing backup? Doing laundry shouldn't be so frustrating!
Maybe some of the cleaning agents we use hang around in the washer longer than we think? I always have stored and washed cleaning rags seperately with a white load after, just in case. Maybe the chemicals last longer than those 2 loads? Maybe some of the chemicals are in our soaps or lotions?

I do notice that my blacks don't stay as black, but that could be the die and a separate issue. I have not had a bleaching incident in several months although I am squeemish each time I put something important in the wash, like my daughters concert dress. We do not use acne medications in our home. never really have. No explanation especially when we had so much trouble. Keeping fingers crossed each time I do a load. billie ricks

Post By Billie Ricks (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Ive been bleaching my light blue clothing pink and white for the last 6 years. ive changed my make up, laundry detergent, and face/body wash and nothing seems to change.
rumor has it, that some people just develope a more acidic persperation. mine started when i hit puberty and apparently that is common. not much to do about it though. just dont buy light blue materials!

Post By Theresa (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I always use the same creams, detergents, etc, but my husband found a large bleach-like stain on my tan pillowcase the other morning. The only thing that has changed is that I had inpatient surgery and was medicated. That night I experienced night sweats partially due to a heating pad I was using. My thoughts were leaning more towards the ingredients in the body/shampoo wash that the hospital provided.

Post By Jennifer (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I wonder if the problem is not poorly dyed towels. I have experienced this problem (only with towels) and have blamed bleach and never mouthwash or peroxide. Shouldn't bathroom hand towels be color fast for products used in the bathroom? I have taken towels back and exchanged them. I am going to do the same with my newly spotted towels.

Post By Lindy (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I noticed it too on my towels after I wash my hands. It only seems to affect green or blue towels. I get the white or orange "bleach" stains. I have noticed one contributing factor is that I use the ati-bacterial soap from Bath and Body Works. I have yet to look at the active ingrediants, but I would bet there is alcohol listed. I have since been buying white towels to use and I won't put that soap in the guest bathroom with the good towels.

Post by jellopaste

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Had the same exact problem and just figured out for sure what it is. The cleaning spray I use in my apartment has bleach in it. So 1) I could have been getting the spray directly on my clothes while cleaning 2) (definitely more likely) is after I clean I throw the rag I used into the hamper with my clothes! As a test I just sprayed some of the cleaner onto an old black sock, sure enough, it was instantly covered with the orange stain. I feel like a complete idiot now, but at least I know how to put an end to this.

Post By Jeff (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I think it could also be from toothpaste. When you wipe your mouth of toothpaste on the towel and then it sits there until you clean the towel.

Post By Melanie (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I have this very same problem - It's sending me mad. It started first with our towels - my husband and I had nice brown towels, and they all started to get random orangey bleach marks. Then, it was the hand towels, face towels and even my pillowcase and the top of my sheets. I have since noticed some spots on our carpet in our bedroom (in front of our mirror) and on some of our clothing. I went and stayed at my Mum's house one night and she rang me up the next day to tell me that I had bleached her towels too!

Having read what everyone has posted, I am convinced it has something to do with me using Clearasil cream and/or a few face washes. I thought maybe it was Johnson's Holiday skin, but other people I know use it and they don't have any problems. I too don't use bleach products around the house and hadn't really started using any new products, except for Clearasil. I think this could be it for me - the Clearasil is going in the bin! It's wrecked too many of our nice towel sets!

Post By Abby (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

We too had the same mystery. Finally I realized it was not only our son's acne wash but also the Scrubbie Bubbles used to clean tubs and our jacuzzi. Now I leave a special laundry container for these items and the problem has gone bye bye!

Post By Mary (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Totally the proactive. If you call the company they will tell you that. I had to stop using it b/c I have a bad habit of loving expensive towels. I have never had an incident after I stopped using the product.

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Same thing here. I've tried all types of brands of detergent and I too have the same problem. It is annoying. I guess the only relief is that I'm not the only one!

Post By Claudia (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Sounds like this is the "perfect storm" of these three factors:
TIDE, acne medication, and light blue/beige towels, or, any one of those factors in isolation. Personally, I have no acne mediacation OR light blue/beige dye issues, but I do use TIDE. I've recently switched to TIDE h/e powder to remedy "stinky towel syndrome" (but that's a whole other subject), but can't tell whether or not it is helping, because by now EVERY TOWEL IN THE HOUSE has those wierd bleachy stains on it!! YIKES!!

Post By nano nano (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

OMG! Is it totally ridiculous to be this excited about finding the answer to mysterious bleach stained towels. I JUST moved into my new apt. and all of a sudden all of my towels have mysteriously become bleach ridden after I use them. At first I thought it was me having absent-mindedly forgotten to rinse some spray cleaners that I used off. Then I thought hmmmm maybe the water is funky, but I smelled no bleachy scent and none of my neighbors have mentioned it. This week a friend is in town visiting, and I noticed in the guest bathroom her towels looked like that as well. I talked to her about it, and the only common thing we have is *Proactive*. So it definitely seems to be either a proactiv or peroxide thing. Wooo whoo! I am not being haunted by a clothes bleaching spirit. Thanks for the info.

Post By snowboots (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

My laundry has had random bleach spots for a few years now! I use Tide, Arm&Hammer and Ecover laundry detergents, and sometimes Snuggle dryer sheets. The weird thing is that the bleach spots ONLY SHOW UP ON TOWELS! Never clothes or dishtowels, only on bathroom towels! And almost every bathroom towel and washcloth I own now has these bleach spots (more than spots, they almost look tie-dyed by now). I don't ever use bleach in the laundry, and I don't mop up bathroom cleaner or anything else with my bath towels. What is going on? I find it completely bizarre that this never shows up on clothes (but good!).

Post by ashirley

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Just bought a bunch of new work shirts. First time I wash them, 3 of them are speckled with bleach like stains. We don't use bleach in the house, I don't mix my clothing with my towels in the wash and I don't use acne medication. I use all natural face washes and creams. I am the only one in the house that this happens too, and it always seems to happen to my brand new clothes. GRR
I seriously don't know what it could be after reading what other people have put up on here. Any other suggestions?

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

the cause
Hi all,
I've read your posts with intrigue, as I've had the same problem. Actually though, I had it happen to me at a dry cleaner's and was very upset. The dry cleaner explained to me that the light-colored/orange-ish stains are not from bleach, from an alcohol or alcohol-derivative contaminant. I believe one person was right when she said she thought it was perfumes or face creams--I myself typically use various types of lotions or hand creams and end up wiping the excess on a hand towel--lo and behold the towel has stains. It's more upsetting though when it gets on my nice shirts, etc. The problem is that there's no way to tell when it's on and how to get it off. I don't think you can. I'll keep looking for solutions to the root problem.

Post By Steve (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Hmmm...I never had bleached spots on my laundry until I started using Tide about 5 months ago. Guess I will add Tide to the water and then the clothes until I finish what I have and then switch back to the less expensive brands since I've never had random bleach spots until now!

Post by debbielpayne

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Instead of bleach on whites I use Oxyclean. It really whitens my whites.

Post By SunshineRose (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I use hydrogen peroxide and many of my shirts have a bleach stain along the collar now. I've always put clothes in, then the detergent and I used Tide. I'll switch to All free & clear and make sure to put the detergent in and wait 4 minutes before adding clothes. Thanks everyone!

Post By E (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I use Proactiv face wash. I used to use dark blue towels for myself but leave lighter towels out for guests. I noticed these lighter towels had faded/bleach stains on them but just thought the sun or something in the bathroom was causing this, b/c the stains were at the bottom of the towels (where you dry your hands or wipe your face). Then I moved out and my Mom replaced my light towels w/ a similar light blue towel. I went home one weekend & used them and massive bleach stains appeared. She was upset and called me out on it. That's when I noticed the light blue towels in my new apt (brand new as well) had bleach stains on them as well. I haven't even washed the towels and there are bleach blots all over them exactly where I put my hands and face after I use Proactiv face wash. The comment about the hydrogen peroxide would make the most sense as to why my towels are betting bleached. As well as the collars on my lighter colored shirts. And then if I throw these semi damp towels in with clothes - voila!
Now the mystery why my darker clothes & towels are not getting bleached?

Post By Julie (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Random bleach stains have been appearing in our laundry for years. We bought a new washer, tried various detergents, rinsed the machine after white loads-still bleach stains. We actually started to think that the clothing we buy expensive or inexpensive is actually poor quality, maybe something in the dyes being used??Who knows where and how clothing is maufactured anymore?!

Post By Ava (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Oh my gosh! I finally found out that I'm not crazy. I bought a brand new washer and dryer 2 years ago. I don't use bleach, but my pillowcase, towels are completely stained. Everytime I buy new pillowcases they are stained after a week. I thought I narrowed it down to my Proavtiv acne treatment, but now it's on my clothes and on my husbands clothes. I use liquid Tide and Fabric Softener (but not on towels). It sounds like tide is a common thing we all use. What about the fabric softener? Did someone say they think that is the issue?

Post By Andrea (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Does everyone have a top loader washing mach?

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

My bleach stain problem only happens on light green shirts. I've had to throw away 5 light green shirts now and I can't figure out why. I wash with Woolite and the gentle cycle. The only thing I can figure is that the detergent sits on the clothes too long. But all my dark clothing that I wash in the gentle cycle never gets ruined.

Post By Jane (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

So I only use ALL free and clear, no fabric softener and I clean in one outfit. I am happy to report that almost 6 months have gone by and no more random bleach stains! Woo Hoo!

Post By Barbara (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

help..i dont use bleach i use seventh generation all natural detergent, no softner and no sheets. i havent used bleach in 10 months. i am now thinking it is my sons acne medication. he takes his t-shirt off and the collar pulls up across his face. all the fading happens around the neck collar area. i have mostly seen this reaction on light colored tees but there are a couple of dark navy soccer jerseys that he wears constantly and they do not fade. go figure...i feel like i am loosing my mind.

Post By ga. peach (guest post) (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

WOW. I too have had this problem the last 2 years..I blamed my son for improperly doing laundry..I guess I owe him an apology...I thought it might be Tide But I use other detergents that are on sale too. After reading the other posts I realize that the Towels..and pastel colored clothing are affected.I read the damp clothing in the hamper post..but washcloths don't seem to get the bleached out stains..they do however get BLACK marks as though mascara stained!A while ago I read posts regarding that What the HECK IS GOING ON.

Post By Kate (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Only a few days after posting my previous message, it happened again. I washed a black jacket to take on my trip (great for planes) and now it is ruined. spots all over both shoulders, cuffs, and lapel area. Nothing else in the darks wash was touched. I just don't get it! Maybe the dyes are defective, rather than happening because of the washer?
I am going to try and find an answer. This is rediculous, and costly.
Billie Ricks

Post By billie ricks (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I am so glad to have found this thread. I, too, am a victim.
My maytag is 24 years old. Works great, never been repaired.
A few years ago I started noticing bleached areas. My family is large enough that I can really sort by specifics. Underwear, cleaning rags, darks, light colors, white good clothes, dark gentle and dark towels and jeans.
I used to think my older kids were using too much bleach on their own laundry, but they said they didn't use it. I also got after them for tossing the cleaning rags into the laundry basket of non rag items, but that didn't stop the problem.

I use tide and tide/bleach most of the time. Rarely clorox. When I use clorox on whites I usually do another load of whites, they a load of light colors. Never darks after. (learned that at a public laundrymat)
Anyway, it is hard to tell if the lights are getting bleached, BUT I have lost many dark and red towels, silk shirt, good dark slacks, dark shirts, new clothes.
I felt terrible when my very cash poor son was visiting and I encouraged him to do his laundry before going home. His new shirts and expensive fleece jacket all wound up with a very faint mottled splotching, not obvious to me, but he noticed right away that they had faded. We ran them thru a hot soak cycle and I put them in a bag damp to send him home on the plane. I was hoping they would bleed (like the darn reds do).

What is causing this???? I thought my machine was in need of some work. Maybe it is plugged? Maybe the soap has changed???
This is an older thread, but obviously, not a rare occasion, and I am tired of ruined items.
Could it be the new house, new water, water softner?
Please continue to post your ideas, suggestions, and solutions.

Billie Ricks
S. California

Post By billie ricks (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I heard from my neighbor the other day that some newer washers that have a dispenser for the bleach. Some of them do not completely empty out so they can be dripping bleach onto the next loads. If you use a bleach dispenser or have this type of washer, it's a possibility. Run only water through your bleach dispenser for a load or two and see if it makes a difference.

Post by ThriftyFun

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I too noticed this problem, beige towels and light blue towel, Hydrogen Peroxide products are not an issue...BUT, I too use Tide w/o bleach...

Post By KH (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I am the daughter! So I stopped using fabric softener and switched to All free, no dyes or perfumes. Also I started wearing gloves when I clean. I am happy to report that no stains for 3 months or more!

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Interesting thread. Only my husband, and 1 of my sons pillowcases and towels get bleached-out areas on them. (I kept them seperate from me and my daughters when I first noticed it) My husband does not use any sort of hydrogen peroxide product and they get washed together with others in the house, so it's not a detergent issue. Been puzzling me for years.

Post By Karen (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I have been having this same problem for years. Often stains would appear in the armpit areas or around the color. I think I have isolated it to Gillette clear gel deodorant.

Also getting the stains on new towels, the heads up on the hydrogen peroxide creams seems helpful.

Post By Chris (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I have the same problem for 3 years now, I moved and bought a brand new W/D and still the same problem. I don't have any Bleach in the House. Always on my collar area and my Under wears (boxers) and the Towels. Pillow cases are not a problem just my clothes. its very frustrating, I buy a brand new shirt and wash it once and the Collar is bleached.
and its with beige and light blue colored shirts.
Oh I have a front loader so I can't fill up with soap and water first.

A friend thinks it's something me and my wife is eating and its probably coming out of our pours and having a chemical reaction.

Post by afterdark

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Hey, ive been having the same random problem. I have three shirts now that have gotten bleached by the collar area. I find it strange that it is the same spot each time not to mention i dont see anything wrong untill i take it out of the dryer. hmm

Post By Justacow (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Thought I was the only person with this annoying problem! I use Tide without bleach (do not use any bleach), pour my liquid detergent in the machine before putting in my clothes, and STILL have this problem. I don't use acne medication, so it can't be that. It only happens to light colored clothes, not on darks at all. Has anyone found anything out??

Post By Erica (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I am the daughter with the stain problems. Thank you all so much for your feedback. I have cut out fabric softner and now use ALL Free and Clear, no perfumes or dyes. I also put the detergent in first and wait four mintues before adding the clothes. I have started to wear one outfit for cleaning, that is the only thing I can think of, so we will see if that does the trick. Again thank you. Now my frustration is shared! Barbara

Post By Barbara (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Sounds like it may be from some product other than "bleach". Just for info purposes, I have found that Clorox doesn't seem to do this & is definitely
a superior product to the off brands.

Post By Lois (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Concensus says, it's loading the clothes before adding detergent. I'm going to change this habit and see if it makes a difference. I think it's also something new in the detergents. I've always used regular liquid tide (no bleach) for my colors. Nowadays it's hard to find the traditional formula, most have the new foo-foo scents in them. And it's only been recently that this has become a frequently re-occuring problem. Sometimes I load clothes first, sometimes water & detergent, and that has never been consistent, but until the past year or so, this had never been a problem.

Post By Chelle (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I HAS HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE , AND I AM PRETTY SURE IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM CON SIDERED LAUNDRY QUEEN AROUND MY TOWN, BUT I TO HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO MAKE MISTAKES ALSO , BUT THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THAT I WILL LEARN, IS TO MAKE MISTAKES IN LIFE, ANYWAY I HAVE FOUND THAT IF YOU HAVE AN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING THAT IS WET OR EVEN SLIGHTLY DAMP IN THE HAMPER THAT WILL CAUSE OTHER CLOTHES THAT COMES IN CONTACT WITH TO LOOK LIKE IT HAS BEEN BLEACHED, SO NO MORE RINSING YOUR WASH TUB OUT TO GET RID OF THE BLEACH, JUST REMEMBER TO TAKE TIME OUT TO MAKE SURE YOUR LAUNDRY HAMPER HAS NO WET OR DAMP CLOTHING IN IT! GOOD LUCK!

Post By BETH (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

This sometimes happens with my daughter's tees, I'm beginning to think it could be from one of her many hair styling products.

Post By yankeesgryl (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I am having this problem as well..all of the above sound like possibilites..but I still don't know what is happening!!
I started rinsing out my machine after washing the bleach load..going to see if that might stop the little bleach spots that I have been experiencing

Post by fauxpaslover

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Occassionally this has happened to me. I have found that this blotching can occur when laundry soap goes directly on the clothing versus putting the water and soap in before any clothing. Also, some detergents have a "whitener" in them that can cause blotches when put directly on the clothing.

Post By sheri darling (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

I used Proactiv acne face wash for a while and it bleached my towels, shirts, and sheets.

Post By Guest (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

does she pour her detergent on her clothes instead of in the water first then add clothes?
just a guess...some of those detergents are really strong

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Hunh! I've been getting bleached out areas on the hand towels in the bathroom. What are they putting in soap and detergents these days???? I never used to have this problem.

Post by Eileen Celeste

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

My daughter had this problem (still does). I figure its the face creams or perfumes she uses. The stains are mostly up around the neck area on shirts, and on pillow cases, and the tops of her sheets.

Post by marinewife5

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Is she cleaning with anything containing bleach? One time I cleaned my stove with soft scrub and it had bleach in it, and when I threw it in with my clothes it bleached them.

Alot of items have chemicals in them that can bleach clothing, maybe she can watch what chemicals she uses (if any) and pin-point the problem.

Good Luck!

Post by katieandjeffy

RE: Random Bleach Stains on Laundry

Had this trouble with several of my faceclothes. Dark colors ended up with light blotches on them. Turns out it was from skin cream with a hydrogen peroxide type of chemical in it. Put the facecloth in the hamper once and apparently it even transfered onto a blouse as it ended up with a lighter blotch on it too.

Post By Tracy (Guest Post)

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