Sometimes, freshly washed laundry comes out of the machine with white stains or powdery residue. You can usually solve this problem by changing how you load your washer. Here are a few laundry care tips to address the most common causes of white residue on your clothes.

What Causes White Residue on Freshly Washed Clothing?

1. Soap and Softener

Any extra laundry care products you add to a load may settle on the clothes instead of getting washed away. Review the amount of detergent you’re using compared to the size of the load, and try decreasing it. The problem may also be that the soap isn’t dissolving correctly, even if you used the right amount. This can happen when the water is too cold. Try dissolving the detergent in a cup of hot water before putting it in the washer.

2. Too Much Clothing

Your washing machine can only handle so many clothes at once. If you stuff it too full, there may not be room for the water, the clothes on top may stick out above the water level, or the washer may not drain as intended. This can mean soap and dirt residue gets left behind. Check your washer for a fill line or a label with load size instructions. Also, if your washer has settings for different load sizes, you can try setting it to a larger load so more water will be added.

3. Items in Your Pockets

If you leave thin paper or tissue in the pockets of your clothing before washing it, it can disintegrate in the water. The bits of paper pulp are tiny, but they don’t fully dissolve, so they may cling to clothes instead of washing away. If the pieces are small enough, they may not be recognizable as paper—only a white powder. You can prevent this by changing your laundry care routine to make sure you check every pocket before the clothes go into the washer.

Wash & Spin Coin Laundry of Atlanta, GA, has the high-quality machines, products, and professional wash and fold services you need to take care of your wardrobe and is the home of Big Bertha! They understand that no one likes to wait, so their facility features nearly 100 washers and dryers, free Wi-Fi, snacks, computer services, televisions, a kids’ corner, and a U-Haul^® rental service. This laundromat strives to make your errands as smooth and pleasant as possible. Learn more about their location online, or call (404) 756-1666 to discuss your needs.