"Polka dot" stain on light garments?
May 22, 2017 5:44 PM Subscribe
How did I get a gray dot stain pattern, and can it come off at all?
For the second time, I've found a gray stain pattern of dots on a light-colored piece of fabric. Here's as good a picture as I can get of it.
Presumably it's from the washer or dryer. Can it be fixed? That picture is of a cozy nightgown so I don't much mind it, and it's gone through several washes since I noticed it. But now I've gotten it on a nice white cardigan that shouldn't have been in the dryer at all -- it got in by accident -- and I hate to think it's ruined. (It's too pale to photograph, but you can see it.)
For the second time, I've found a gray stain pattern of dots on a light-colored piece of fabric. Here's as good a picture as I can get of it.
Presumably it's from the washer or dryer. Can it be fixed? That picture is of a cozy nightgown so I don't much mind it, and it's gone through several washes since I noticed it. But now I've gotten it on a nice white cardigan that shouldn't have been in the dryer at all -- it got in by accident -- and I hate to think it's ruined. (It's too pale to photograph, but you can see it.)
Dawn dish detergent has degreasers in it. Mix some up 1:1 with water, pretreat for several hours, re-wash.
posted by theora55 at 6:03 PM on May 22, 2017
posted by theora55 at 6:03 PM on May 22, 2017
Response by poster: Thanks -- I'll give these a try, starting with the dishwashing liquid.
Hard to know what to do about the dryer; I'm just renting the place, and it's had some issues already. I'll check that out.
posted by Countess Elena at 6:06 PM on May 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hard to know what to do about the dryer; I'm just renting the place, and it's had some issues already. I'll check that out.
posted by Countess Elena at 6:06 PM on May 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
FWIW, in my experience that dot pattern looks like it's more from the washer tub. Mold, perhaps, or maybe someone dyed their clothes in it?
posted by rhizome at 6:27 PM on May 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 6:27 PM on May 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
Did you iron the clothes? The pattern looks like it could be from an iron, to me. If it's mold an enzymatic cleaner like oxyclean might help.
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 3:57 AM on May 23, 2017
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 3:57 AM on May 23, 2017
Depending on where on the garment these things are located, could it be something you are leaning up against? A counter or sink, maybe a door you push open with your hip or shoulder?
posted by Rock Steady at 7:45 AM on May 23, 2017
posted by Rock Steady at 7:45 AM on May 23, 2017
Your pic doesn't load for me, but I'm wondering if it could be oil spots from cooking? I have old T-shirts that have a polka-dot look from frying stuff.
posted by scratch at 9:30 AM on May 23, 2017
posted by scratch at 9:30 AM on May 23, 2017
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We've had luck using Fels Naptha soap to remove oil stains off of a number of garments, though not all, YMMV. The sooner you can get to treating it, the better.
posted by RhysPenbras at 5:54 PM on May 22, 2017