Dryer stains on clothes can be frustrating, but there are several ways to get rid of them or prevent them in the first place. Let’s take a look at why dryer stains happen and how to tackle them.
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What Causes Dryer Stains?
There are a few common culprits behind dryer stains on clothing:
- Dye Transfer – This happens when the dyes from one garment rub off onto another in the dryer. Darker colors like black, navy blue, and red are most likely to bleed dye onto lighter items.
- Heat Setting Stains – If you dry an item that has a stain before washing it, the heat from the dryer can set the stain and make it much harder to remove.
- Grease/Oil Stains – Oily stains don’t get fully washed out in the washer and the heat from the dryer bakes them into the fabric.
- Ink Stains – Like heat setting stains, drying an ink stain before properly treating it will set the stain.
- Hard Water Stains – Mineral deposits in hard water will leave white stains on clothes that build up over time.
How to Fix Dryer Stains
If you’ve already dried an item that now has stains on it, don’t worry – you can still get those stubborn stains out!
Re-wash the Item
Check the care label instructions first, but for most articles of clothing you can re-wash the stained item with detergent. Use the warmest water setting safe for the fabric. Before drying again, check to see if the stain is gone.
Treat with Stain Remover
If re-washing alone doesn’t work, pre-treat any remaining stains with a liquid stain remover or stick pretreat product. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before washing the item again.
Use Laundry Booster/Bleach Alternative
For tough stains, add an oxygen-based laundry booster or bleach alternative like OxiClean to your wash. This can help lift out those dried-in stains.
Spot Clean by Hand
For delicate fabrics, you may need to spot treat the stain by hand. Soak the fabric in a mixture of warm water and liquid detergent or use a laundry pre-treatment stick. Gently rub the stain, then rinse thoroughly.
Bleach It Out
For white fabrics, bleaching is an effective way to remove dried stains. Check the care label first to see if bleach is safe for the material. Mix a dilute bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts cold water. Sponge it onto the stain and allow to sit for up to 30 minutes before washing.
Use Vinegar or Lemon Juice
For extra stain-fighting acidity, try spraying white vinegar or lemon juice onto the stain. Let sit for an hour before washing. The vinegar smell will dissipate in the wash.
Rub With Bar Soap
Before washing, rub a bar of soap directly onto the stained area. The soap will help break up the stain so it can release from the fabric.
Natural Sunlight
For white fabrics, hanging them in direct sunlight can help bleach out stains. The UV rays act as a natural bleaching agent.
How to Prevent Dryer Stains
Stopping stains before they start is the best solution! Here are some tips to prevent dryer stains:
Wash and Dry Similar Colors Together
Sort your laundry by color shade to avoid dye transfer issues. Reds, blues, and darks should be washed separately from lights, whites, and delicates.
Clean Out Lint Trap
A clogged lint filter allows lint to get redeposited on clothes as they dry, leaving grey streaks. Clean out the lint trap before each load.
Use Fabric Softener or Dryer Sheets
These additives help reduce static so lint and hair cling less to clothes in the dryer.
Pre-Treat Stains
Don’t throw stained clothes straight in the wash. Always pre-treat stains first or they can get permanently set by the dryer heat.
Shake Out Clothes Before Drying
Give clothes a quick shake after removing from the washer. This helps release any lint, hair, or dirt so it doesn’t get stuck as the clothes dry.
Clean the Dryer Vent
Lint can build up in the dryer vent and cut off proper airflow. This can make drying take longer, allowing more heat damage to fabrics.
Use a Lower Heat Setting
High heat can set stains. Opt for a medium or low heat setting instead.
Remove Clothes Promptly
Don’t leave finished loads sitting in the dryer. The heat can continue setting stains if left to sit too long.
Check Garment Tags
Read care labels to see if items should be line dried, dried flat, or dried at a certain temperature to avoid damaging the fabric.
Special Cases of Dryer Stains
Certain types of stains require extra steps to remove once dried and set in the laundry dryer:
Ink Stains
Removing dried ink calls for drastic measures. First soak the stain in milk for several hours, then apply isopropyl alcohol and scrub vigorously before washing. You may need to repeat this process.
Grease Stains
Rub liquid dish soap on greasy stains and let it penetrate for an hour before washing. You can also sprinkle baby powder or cornstarch on the grease spot to absorb it before washing.
Mud or Mildew Stains
Make a paste from 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 3 parts baking soda. Spread onto the stain and let bubble for 30 minutes before rinsing and washing.
Sweat Stains
Dampen sweat-stained areas and rub withaspirin tablets, which contains enzymes that will help break down the proteins in the sweat. Rinse and launder as usual.
Red Wine Stains
Blot up what you can first, then spray the stain with a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water. Let fizz before rinsing and washing. You can also use salt or club soda.
When to Call for Professional Help
For dried or heavily set in stains, a professional dry cleaning service may be needed. They have access to more intensive stain removal chemicals and methods.
Especially challenging stains to remove include:
- Oily cosmetic stains like foundation and mascara
- Food grease stains if chronic
- Mildew or mold stains
- Ring around the collar
- Certain dye transfer colors like red or deep purple
Professionals also have access to garment steaming and pressing equipment that can help restore the look of any fabric damaged by heat stains.
When to Toss Out the Stained Item
If you’ve tried every stain removal trick with no luck, at a certain point it’s better to cut your losses. Clothes with bad stains that aren’t coming out should be tossed, especially if:
- The fabric has become damaged, torn, or develop holes
- The stain has eaten away at the fibers and caused thinning
- There is clear heat damage like melting or scorching
- The stain has spread over a large area
- The clothes are heavily worn out anyway
Don’t waste too much time, energy and money on heavily soiled items that are too far gone!
Conclusion
Dryer stains can be pesky, but don’t resign yourself to living with spotted, dingy clothes! With some elbow grease and stain-fighting techniques, you can keep your laundry looking like new. Be vigilant about pre-treating stains, maintaining your dryer, and sorting properly. If stains do happen, rewash and spot clean right away. With the right mix of practical prevention and treatment, you can keep dryer stains from cramping your clean clothes style.