If you’ve got mysterious gray stains (also called sludge, slime or gunk) on your freshly washed clothes, then this post is for you! You’ll learn how to get the gray stains out, and how to prevent them in the future.
Have you ever pulled a brand new shirt out of the dryer only to see mysterious gray stains splattered all over the fabric that weren’t there when you washed it and don’t come out with another rewashing??
It’s incredibly frustrating to say the least, especially when the clothes are brand new.
It’s happened to me enough times that I decided to get to the bottom of these mysterious stains and figure out how to get rid of them once and for all.
How To Get Rid Of The Gray Stains
The gray slime and sludge marks usually only show up on t-shirts and dresses that are from Old Navy, Target, and Walmart. I have no idea why, but it’s just been the case for me!
But that’s a heads up for you to be on the look out for in the future.
Here’s how to get rid of the stains:
If You Haven’t Dried the Clothes Yet
This is the best case scenario and you have a high chance of saving the clothing!
- Spray with OxiClean stain remover spray. Please note that this spray has a tendency to lighten clothing colors. So do a spot test for 24 hours and only spray it where the gray stains have shown up on the clothing.
- Sprinkle some OxiClean stain remover powder on top of the spray. Please note that this powder has a tendency to lighten clothing colors. So do a spot test for 24 hours and only spray it where the gray stains have shown up on the clothing.
- Allow the stain remover to sit on the clothes for at least a day, but preferably up to a week.
- Rewash the clothing in warm water.
- If the stains remain after washing, fill a basin (bathtub, sink) with warm water and add about 1/4 cup of the OxiClean stain remover powder. Add the stained clothing to the warm water and let it soak for 24 hours.
- Repeat steps 1-4.
- If the stain still remains after soaking and washing, repeat steps 1-3 and let the stain remover soak for at least a week.
- Rewash clothing and the stains should be gone!
If You Have Dried the Clothes
If you noticed the gray stains on your clothing after drying, you’re most likely out of luck. A dried set-in stain is super difficult to get out. Especially with this gray stains.
However, you can try the methods above to remove the stains.
- Spray with OxiClean stain remover spray. Please note that this spray has a tendency to lighten clothing colors. So do a spot test for 24 hours and only spray it where the gray stains have shown up on the clothing.
- Sprinkle some OxiClean stain remover powder on top of the spray. Please note that this powder has a tendency to lighten clothing colors. So do a spot test for 24 hours and only spray it where the gray stains have shown up on the clothing.
- Allow the stain remover to sit on the clothes for at least a day, but preferably up to a week.
- Rewash the clothing in warm water.
- If the stains remain after washing, fill a basin (bathtub, sink) with warm water and add about 1/4 cup of the OxiClean stain remover powder. Add the stained clothing to the warm water and let it soak for 24 hours.
- Repeat steps 1-4.
- If the stain still remains after soaking and washing, repeat steps 1-3 and let the stain remover soak for at least a week.
- Rewash clothing. If stains remain, you’re stuck with them.
What are those grey marks anyway?
The internet is inconclusive when it comes to what the grey marks actually are.
But here are a few suggestions I’ve found while searching:
- When you wash a lot at lower temperatures or under dose the detergent, the grease in the fabric is removed from the clothes but is not broken down or washed away. This grease starts to accumulate on the inner wall of the outer drum and can transfer to clothes during washes.
- The marks can be caused by ‘scrud’, which is a waxy build-up of fabric softener or detergent in the drum of your washing machine.
- Overloading the washing machine can cause clothes to rub against the drum or agitator, leading to friction and potential fabric damage.
- Using too much detergent or not using the right type of detergent for the machine.
- Not regularly cleaning and maintaining the washing machine.
How To Prevent The Gray Stains
There are several preventative measures you can take to prevent these gray stains from appearing on your clothes in the first place.
1. Don’t wash your colored clothes in cold water.
I know this goes against ALL of the recommendations for how to do laundry, but I’ve seen no consequences for washing our colored clothes in warm water except that it prevents the gray stains from showing up.
If the clothes were to shrink or bleed colors (which is what everyone says happens when you don’t wash colors in cold), it would be with my children’s clothes that I have to replace often anyway, so it’s totally worth the risk to me.
2. Use powdered laundry detergent.
Whenever I do a load of lightly colored clothing, I never use liquid detergent. I always use a powdered detergent. In my mind, the gel consistency of the detergent is one of the main culprits of the gray sludge stains so I avoid it for any light clothing.
3. Always check your clothes before putting them in the dryer.
This should be your practice whenever you’re doing laundry, but especially when you’re switching your light clothes to the dryer, and especially when you’re washing something for the first time:
Always examine it before tossing it in the dryer.
It’s SO tough to get dryer stains out (I have done it, but it does take a lot of extra work and it’s never guaranteed), so you’re better off just taking the time to check your clothing before it goes in the dryer and gets stuck that way forever.
4. Don’t overload the washing machine.
I’m not the best at following this rule because I like to save myself from having to do too many loads of laundry, but if at least with your light colored clothing, you should avoid overloading the machine whenever possible.
5. Regularly clean your washing machine.
I clean my washing machine once a month with this cleaner. You just throw the tablet in and wash (my washing machine has a specific cycle just for cleaning).
Cleaning your washing machine also includes removing the filter and giving that a good scrub.
I recently removed the hose from the back of the washing machine and cleaned that out as well because I had never done it and it was pretty disgusting.
6. Do an intense washing machine cleaning.
If you’re still seeing gray stains on your clothing after following all of the recommendations above, you may need to do a more thorough washing machine cleaning.
Put an old towel in the machine and add washing machine cleaner. Then use the wool wash program setting to achieve a very high water level. Then change to a very hot cotton wash without resetting it.
With the high water level, strong washing machine cleaner, and the thorough wash action generated by the cotton cycle and towel, a lot of the gunk should break away and get washed away.
After, you should clean the washer out with a second hot wash using just detergent and then used the machine normally.
Want More?
If you liked this post, I know you’ll love these!
- How To Clean Vomit from a Child’s Car Seat
- How To Get Baby Poop Out of Clothes
- My Top Stain Remover Tips for Clothes
Your Turn
Which of these tips gave you an “ah-ha” moment? Or which one do you feel helped get the gray stains out of your clothes? Let us know in the comments!