Here’s Why Clothes Turn Blue In the Wash

You’ve finished running a load of laundry and you’re ready to fold it, put it away, and be done with this chore. But as you pull your clothes out of your dryer, something catches your eye. There are new blue stains all over your white clothes. Where did these stains come from? Is there anything you can do to prevent them from appearing again? We’ve found some answers for you, so you aren’t left puzzled and frantically digging through your laundry for a pen or other suspected source of the stain.

As with other stains, it’s important to treat these mystery stains before the clothes go into the dryer. Heat can set them, just as it will set a chocolate or wine stain on your favorite shirt. Treat the stain and then toss the garment back in the washing machine. Inspect it again and only run it through the dryer once the stain has fully disappeared.

Where Did These Blue Stains Come From?

According to Whirlpool, the most likely culprit behind these blue stains on your clothes is your detergent. You might not be washing your clothing at the right temperature for your detergent, or you may be using too much. You need far less detergent per load than you think; a little bit goes a long way. To troubleshoot, start with the basics. Reread the instructions on your bottle or box to make sure you’re using it correctly.

You should also make sure you’re putting it in the washing machine correctly. Different machines and detergent styles require different loading. While you’re at it, make sure that your machine is clean; buildup from previous loads is a problem, too.

What If My Dryer Drum Is Stained Blue?

Whirlpool says that a blue dryer drum is the result of dye transfer, generally from items like new blue jeans or heavily dyed clothing. If you want to mitigate this, the company suggests turning your clothing inside out before putting it in the dryer.

According to Whirlpool, this type of staining should not transfer from the drum to your wet laundry. However, it’s still a good idea to clean the staining if you’ve got the time and energy, just to be safe. Make it a part of your routine; you can tackle it while you’re deep cleaning your lint trap.

Sources

How to Get Detergent Stains Out of Clothes, Whirpool.

Dryer Drum Stained or Dye Transfer, Whirpool.

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