Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing

I have a Maytag Neptune front-loading washer that is about 4 years old. In the past 2 years, I've noticed greasy/oily looking spots on some of the darker colored clothes coming out.

I've been through every possible remedy, even the ridiculous tablets Maytag said I should use-to no avail. I only use detergents for HE machines, and the smallest amount possible. I do not use liquid fabric softener at all.

I have run the machine empty with hot water and bleach, with hot water and vinegar, even done 2 cleanings in a row, even though the thought of wasting that much water totally did not sit well with me. But at the same time, I have some articles of clothing that don't get worn, just washed over and over because each time I wash, old spots might go away but new ones appear.

Anyone else have the same problem? What are some other solutions? I'm really at my wit's end with this stupid machine.

By Valorie from Arlington, WA

Feedback About This Post:

RE: Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing

As a kid, I remember getting behind my grandmother's washing machine, wishing I could fix it for her. I was 8 or 9 at the time and I still remember that. But I didn't think I would take a washing machine apart for real in 1987, when my dad needed the motor off of it and put on our washing machine. The washing machine ran good until 1990.
By Rodney,
Jensen Beach, Florida

Post by MrFixit

RE: Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing

Don't buy a new washer. I had this problem with our seven year old Neptune and tried everything I could think of to get rid of the spots. We finally decided it must be the bearings or a seal that was leaking oil. I bought a new LG two months ago. Things were okay for the first couple of weeks. Then the spots started showing up again. They are the worst on my kids red school uniform shirts.

I have tried several different detergents, running the tub cleaning cycle, adding degreaser the detergent, adding water softener. Nothing works. I think the spots are actually worse when I use the water softener. I also wash their shirts in hot water using the extra water setting. Still spots. Also, I tried diluting the detergent before adding it to the machine. I am going to try running some CLR soap scum remover through the machine. I have to think that detergent is building up in the lines that deliver it to the tub and that chunks of it dislodge and end up on the clothing. I'm at my wits end and am very mad that I went out and bought a new machine for nothing!

Post by lakjo

RE: Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing

No. Actually it is your seal in your transmission that is gone. I hope you get if fixed.
Rodney

Post by MrFixit

RE: Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing

It's maddening, isn't it? I remember as a 14 year old. We had a white westinghouse washer that got grease in the ckithes. The man we bought it from, said the seal was going bad in it and it would have costed us $75 to replace the stupid transmission. My dad had a brainstorm 2 months later in 1983. He went out on the back porch and put a piece of plastic around the top of the seal where the agitator goes. A week later, me and dad moved our washer back into the house and I want everybody to know that dad prevented the oil leak from getting into our clothes. Tbe white westinghouse washer ran good throughout the summer of 1983, but 4 months after we moved it back into the house, the motor on our washer died. A week later, we purchased a ne washing machine.
By Rodney,
Jemsem Beach, Florida

Post by MrFixit

RE: Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing

Dear Valorie.
The seal in your washer gone. We used to own a white westinghouse washer years ago and it got grease in clothes because the seal went bad I was so mad when my favorite clothes would come out covered in grease. Fortnanantly, mt dad (who died in 2006) came up with a solution: he put a piece of plastic around the top of the seal where the agitator goes in the washer. Dad stopped the leak and throughout the entire summer of 1983, the white westinghouse washer ran good. 4 months later, the motor on the washer died, and we bought a new washer a week later. I hope my story helps you and anybody else effected by the washer crisis. What brand of washer do you have?
By Rodney

Post by MrFixit

RE: Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing

We used to own a white Westinghouse washing machine years ago. It got grease in our clothes because of the seal in the transmission. My dad came up with a money saving idea: He put a piece of plastic around the top of the seal where the agitator goes, and stopped the grease from getting into our clothes. It would have cost us $75 to replace the transmission. The washer ran good in the summer of '83, but the motor died 4 months later. I hope this story helps somebody else with the same problem.
Rodney

Post by MrFixit

RE: Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing

The seal is gone in your washer. We had a white westinghouse washer that got grease in clothes years ago. Dad put a piece of plastic around the part where the agitator sits. He stopped the leak, but the motor died 4 months later and we had to buy a new washer. I hope this helps somebody else. What brand is your washer?
By rodney

Post by MrFixit

RE: Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing

Is there a solution? My wife and I are going nuts too! Our whirlpool top load washer is only 3 or 4 years old. Been getting the stains for almost a year now. Tried using an older machine that hadn't given her parents trouble.. The stains were worse! Will try completely filling the washer before putting clothes in, in case it's the concentrate detergent. Will also try Dawn to take the stains out. Maddening!

Post by grdprx

RE: Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing

I have used a Kenmore front load washing machine for over six years without any problems. I recommend these machines for various reasons. They clean well without using too much water or electricity. The first week I used it, my family actually noticed how much cleaner their clothes looked. The dark clothes were actually brighter and the whites were whiter. This was a big deal for me since, as in most families, husbands and kids do not usually make comments about things like this.

But it is used differently than a top load machine. It's not difficult, just a different way of thinking. You have to avoid too much suds. Suds does not clean clothes. You have to take into consideration the bulk of the clothing or the way the clothing holds water when wet when loading the machine, not the size of the load.

You should not mix heavy clothing and light clothing together. For example, heavy jeans and light nightgowns together, this is not even distribution. The jeans hold more water than the nightgowns. This will cause imbalance in any washer. Read the manual from the manufacturer to fully understand how the front loader works.

Since the front load machine doesn't have a agitator, it holds more than what it looks. I have a small machine but can fit king size bedding into it.

I mix one box each of washing soda and Borax together, and add 1/4 cup or more, depending on the load, to the bottom of the drum. This was recommended by the manufacturer.

I use 1/4 cap or more, again, depending on the load, of any cheap liquid clothes detergent.

I pretreat any oily type stains with Greased Lightning, a degreaser, bought at Wal-mart. This will take out oil stains even after being dried in the dryer. The treatment may have to be repeated once.

I add a mixture of half vinegar and water as a rinse about once a month.

I use hot water for sheets, towels, and cotton whites. The rest of the clothes are washed in warm water. I always rinse in cold water.

On occasion I will use diluted bleach. When I feel any load needs some extra cleaning, I will let the washer get the clothes really wet and they turn it off for about one-half hour or more. I then restart the washer.

This method works for me. I feel every household has different laundry issues. If you have kids, you have different types of dirt, depending on what type of job you do, your clothes may get dirtier than others. Also, the type of water you have makes a big difference in how you may have to wash clothes.

Since I have city water and our water is hard, I use washing soda and Borax together, this helps soften the water, and boosts the laundry detergent's cleaning ability. You have to use more detergents/cleaners when you have hard water. I have used soft water and hard water, and there is a big difference.

I must mention that I think any clothes washer should have the lid/door kept open when not in use. I keep the dispenser drawer open on my front loader. This will help to prevent mildew/mold.

I am a big advocate of keeping anything in the house as dry as possible. Bacteria causes mold/mildew, it grows in moist/dark places. Circulation in any room is important. My husband jokingly says he feels he lives in a wind tunnel at times.

I realize some front loaders are not made all the same, and may have some manufacturer defects. My advice is to contact the company and be persistent if you feel that it is their responsibility to fix it. I have had major appliances fixed by the manufacturers when their warranties were up. One was a dryer that stopped working after only 18 months of use. The other was a defective air conditioner which was actually still under warranty, but the manufacturer (GE) did not want to honor it. They offered me a $50.00 rebate for $230.00 air conditioner. This is a long story and I have already written enough, but in the end, I was given a complete refund.

Sorry this is so much detail and lengthy but I am hoping someone will benefit from my over thirty years of experience of running a household. As you can tell, I like giving advice.

Post by mkymlp

RE: Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing

I have a Maytag Neptune Front Loader Washer that was left in my house by the previous owner 6 years ago (it is about 8 years old or so). I have the SAME problem! It happens only on particular clothing items...bibs, washcloths, and children's clothing. It does not happen on the adult clothes? I am so frustrated!

Post by nala

RE: Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing

My only comment is that front-loader suck! I'll neveer buy another and can't wait to get a regular top-loader whenever we move.

I haven't had the grease problem, but have the stinky towel problem no matter what I do.

Post by Wendopolis

RE: Mysterious Grease Stains on Clothing

Are you on city water or a well? When I had a well, my laundry used to get mysterious oily spots. Don't know if it came from the water or possibly the well pump.

Post by vguy

Disclaimer: ThriftyFun.com cannot accept any responsibility for any injury or damage that you may cause to yourself, others, or property when following any advice given on this site. Read the full disclaimer: http://www.thriftyfun.comdisclaimer.ldml If you find any information on ThriftyFun.com or in our newsletters that is either erroneous and/or potentially harmful to others, please Contact Us, immediately.