Community Chat

[PilatesLover]

Last year I bought the Speed Queen TR3 model and love it in every way but one:  at least one piece of laundry will always come out with white streaks on it.

They look like streaks of paint and don't easily brush off.  Even after wetting them a little remains.  

Anyone else have this problem?  It's a top loader, and I've reduced the amount of liquid detergent well below the amount recommended on the container, but nothing seems to help.  BTW I do not use liquid softeners in the wash.

Thanks for any tips and insights as to what's causing this.

[Group 5 minus 1]

Are you using cold water? 

[rockygems123]

@PilatesLover 

I always add an extra rinse to every load. Invariably a few darker pieces have white on them. I remove them and run a separate load just for them.

Not a big fan of the agitator free machines. I have friends who also have this problem. I've experimented with different HE detergents and am mostly satisfied with Tide fragrance free now.

[ciao_bella]

@PilatesLover  Especially with dark clothing, use a pre-soak wash cycle option on your washer before it goes into a normal wash,  don't overpack the washer with clothing and use less detergent or use something like Woolite and you'll avoid the white streaks.  

[Desert Lily]

I used to have a problem with detergent taking color out of some items (mostly tan or light blue ones) and leaving pale or white marks when I had a top-load washer.

What solved the problem was adding the detergent to the water & letting it agitate a brief time b4 adding the clothes.

I have a front-load washer now & don't have the problem (knock on wood)

[Desertdi]

[PilatesLover]

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@Group 5 minus 1 wrote:

Are you using cold water? 

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Yes, is that the reason?

[monicakm]

@Desertdi 

@PilatesLover 

I also used this for darks.  For loads other than darks, I use tide powder. I don't have problems with white detergent on clothing that didn't get dissolved. I have a top load with an agitator. What drew me to this model was that I could use all the water I wanted. I put the detergent in first and then a fair amount of water. Not enough to measure up the sides of the washer but it does give the detergent a head start and dissolving.  We have soft water.  I've had more than one washer expert tell me that liquid fabric softener is not good for the washer. I've seen photos of how it gunks up the inner workings over time.  I also don't use fabric softener because it makes towels less absorbent.  And, I like our good clothes (that don't see the inside of a dryer) to not be droopy.  Here is what a washer can look like over time when using fabric softener.

Check out this YT video on what happens when using fs in your wash.  fI don't use fs sheets either.  The 2nd vid addresses fs sheets which is also a no-no.  I DO use scent beads.  I also do my fair share of washing with hot water which helps with the wax in the scent beads and I only use the scent beads on towels and DH's work shirts.

The SCARY Truth About Fabric Softener & Your Washing Machine | Don’t Do This!

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What to Use Instead of Fabric Softener

[ID2]

I had a washer and dryer set and the dryer specifically said in their instructions that you are NOT to use anytype of fabric softeners in it and if you did it voids their warranty. I never use sheets or liquid fabric softeners ever.

[Linda0215]

my previous washer did this. It was a Samsung without an agitator. Hated that machine. Bought a Speed Queen washer and dryer seven years ago and I love them. I've since never had that problem. I use Tide and only fill it to the first line on the cap. I add it to the tub then let it fill for a minute or so. Never use cold water, only warm. I then put the machine on pause and this is where I feel you have to do this...I stir the water in the tub where the detergent went to make sure it's all dissolved. Then I add my clothes and take it off of pause. I've never had a problem with white streaks since.  I know how frustrating that can be.