30 ml
10 ml
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8.5 oz
50 oz
bundles
detergent + booster
The primary goal of doing laundry is to clean clothes and eliminate tough stains. That’s why it can feel especially frustrating to find splotches on your freshly washed garments.
Surprisingly, the source of these spots sometimes lies in your detergent itself. Detergent stains sound like the ultimate contradiction, but they’re more common than you might think.
Today, we here at Snif will be unpacking all things detergent stains — including what causes them and how to get rid of them for good.
What Causes Laundry Detergent Stains?
Laundry stains typically appear as yellow, blue, or white streaks on your clothes. These blemishes can feel rough or waxy to the touch and resemble grease stains or chalk patches.
There are several reasons why your load of laundry may be covered in these pesky imperfections.
Using Too Much Detergent
One of the most common causes of detergent stains is that you’re simply using too much.
Both liquid detergent and powdered detergent are meant to dissolve during a wash cycle, but if you add too much product to your washing machine, it’s possible that the excess soap won’t wash out. It’s worth noting that it can be especially tough for the detergent to dissolve if you’re using cold water.
Over time, this excess detergent can even build up inside of your washer, resulting in less efficient washing and detergent residue left on your laundry.
An easy solution to this problem is to be mindful of product waste and only use what is necessary. As an added bonus, you won’t have to restock your detergent as frequently and will save yourself a couple of bucks.
Overloading Your Machine
Another common cause of detergent stains is washing too much clothing at once. A large load in the washing machine can limit water circulation.
With the water unable to reach all of your clothing equally, the detergent won’t move around the way that it’s supposed to. This can lead to excess detergent on some of your garments.
Then, because the water isn’t circulating properly, this excess detergent won’t dissolve the way it’s supposed to and will get trapped in the clothing, resulting in unwanted splotches.
Artificial Colors
One of the lesser known causes of detergent stains are the artificial colors used in the detergent itself. Many laundry detergent formulas contain synthetic dyes that give them their unique color.
There are three different dyes most typically used in detergents.
The first is direct dye. Direct dyes are water-soluble dyes that dissolve easily. When used in cold water, this ingredient can leave stains on your laundry.
The second is aciddye. Aciddyes are the most common type of dye used in detergents. They are water-soluble and tend to stain less than the others. Still, this ingredient poses the potential to blemish your clothes if not rinsed thoroughly.
The third is pigment dye. Pigment dyes are less commonly used in detergents because they require a binding agent. They are not water-soluble and can leave residue behind.
The artificial colors in laundry detergents do not contribute to the cleaning process. Their sole purpose is to act as a colorant. Both a large load size and not using the correct amount of detergent can increase the chances of these dyes not dissolving during a rinse cycle and staining your clothes.
Hard Water
The cause of your detergent stains might not be your detergent, but the water you’re using to wash your clothes.
Hard water contains a high amount of dissolved minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and sulfates. When the minerals in hard water come in contact with your detergent, it can reduce its efficacy.
Detergents may not be able to dissolve the way they’re supposed to, which can result in your clothes not being cleaned properly or becoming stained.
There is also a possibility that the minerals in hard water will interact with the surfactants in your detergent and form a residue. This residue, often referred to as soap scum, can cling to fabrics and lead to stained garments.
To counteract the hard water in your washing machine, you can try a water softener, which is made to reduce the mineral concentration in your water as it passes through. Another alternative is to buy a detergent that’s specifically designed to work effectively in hard water.
How To Get Rid of Laundry Detergent Stains
Whether your detergent stains are caused by artificial colors, hard water, too much detergent, or an overfilled washer, your top concern is probably how to get rid of them. The good news is that there are several different ways to approach stain removal.
Here are some of the easiest methods for eliminating these blemishes and preventing them from coming back.
Spot Cleaning
Spot cleaning is the process of tidying up unwanted localized marks left on your laundry without having to put the load back in the washer.
The first step of spot cleaning is to locate the splotches on your fabrics and use a dry cloth to blot them. Blotting is the process of pressing down on a stain to absorb excess debris. Try not to rub the cloth into your garments because this could make the stain harder to get rid of.
Identifying the cause of the stain makes cleaning it up a lot easier. For example, if you are dealing with an oil stain, the best product to use for your spot cleaning would be a strong dish soap designed to eliminate grease.
In this case, you’re working to remove detergent stains, and what you choose should be based on the severity of the stain itself. Popular solutions include white vinegar and baking soda. Using a clean cloth, apply the solution to the stain.
When you are done, rinse the area with cold water, blot it one more time, and leave the piece to air dry. Once your garment is completely dry, you can check to see if the stain has been successfully removed or if you need another round of spot cleaning.
Soaking Your Clothes
Another method for removing detergent stains after a wash cycle is to soak your clothes. As previously explained, most detergent stains are caused by a buildup of detergent that wasn’t fully rinsed out of the fabric.
You can give your laundry a chance to rid itself of this excess product by submerging it in warm water. For an extra boost, add a bit of baking soda or vinegar and leave your garments to soak. Over time, the detergent particles will rinse away.
Re-Washing
Although you might not want to put your clean load of laundry back in the washer for another round, rewashing your clothes is an effective way to remove detergent stains.
To get the best results, try some of the aforementioned techniques first. Do some spot cleaning or soak the garments, then place them back in the washing machine.
Remember, one of the most common causes of detergent stains is using too much product or washing too many items at once. This time, try using less detergent and putting in a smaller load.
Avoid the Dryer
If you notice detergent stains on your laundry after taking it out of the washing machine, avoid putting your clothes directly into the dryer — wait to tumble dry your stained clothes until after the stains have been removed.
When a stain is exposed to heat, its particles bond with the fabric fibers. In other words, the heat from your dryer can actually lock the detergent stains into your clothes, making them much tougher to remove.
Before placing your blemished garments into the drying machine, consider taking a few minutes to handwash the problem areas or put them back in your laundry machine to re-wash. Then, when the detergent stains have been removed, you can put your laundry in the dryer.
Switch Detergents
Sometimesl the most efficient solution to avoiding stains in the washer is to switch detergents. The culprit of your streaked clothing may very well be the products you’re using.
Investing in a different type of detergent that is fabric-safe and made without harsh chemicals can keep your load of laundry safe… like our Laundry Collection at Snif.
Our laundry collection consists of cruelty-free, vegan products formulated with a high-end blend of natural and synthetic components — but no synthetic dyes.
Our Everything Wash Detergent is designed to eliminate tough stains and comes in six different scents. The Snif Liquid Scent Booster functions in place of a fabric softener and is made with non-irritating ingredients.
The Lowdown on Laundry
The truth is that perfecting your laundry routine can take a little practice. When it comes to washing your clothes, things aren’t always so cut and dry, and the occasional mistake is bound to happen.
Detergent stains are a common laundry mishap, but it’s one that you can correct with ease. With the right products and a little elbow grease you’ll be rid of those stubborn stains in no time at all.
Sources:
Sustainable Laundry Practices | CSU