White residue left on freshly laundered clothes is a common problem.
This phenomenon can be inconveniencing and time-consuming, especially if your washer leaves a white residue on black clothes, as you’ll need to run the clothes through the washer repeatedly to get them clean.
So what causes this problem, and how can you prevent it?
Common Causes of White Residue on Clothes
Body Soils Interaction
The interaction of body soils with laundry detergent may result in a white residue on clothing, especially between the folds and wrinkles. This phenomenon may get worse when using warm or hot wash cycles.
These handy tips may help reduce this, depending on the wash cycles available on your washing machine:
- Avoid gentler cycles, such as Casuals and Delicates
- Select Whites, Heavy-duty, Power-wash, or Deep-water-wash, wash cycles
- Select cooler temperatures for fabrics
- Select higher soil levels for fabrics
- Choose the extra rinse option
- Use the correct amount of high-efficiency (HE) detergent
Excessive Lint
Using shorter wash cycles and a dryer can also help remove most of the excess lint.
Using Too Much Detergent
Using too much laundry detergent may prevent it from dissolving properly, leaving white residue on clothes, which appears as white clumps.
Rewashing these clothing items and running them through the dryer will help remove these clumps. In the future, using the correct amount of detergent should help eliminate this residue.
Using Non-High-Efficiency (HE) Laundry Detergents
HE washers are designed for use with HE laundry detergents only. Using non-HE detergent in an HE washer can result in white residue or “clumps” on your clothing. These clumps of unused detergent can be removed with an additional wash or dry cycle.
Not Running the "Clean Washer" Cycle
Periodically running the “Clean Washer” cycle with washing machine cleaner monthly helps prevent white residue on clothes.
It also eliminates excess detergent buildup.
Washer Water Is Too Cold
If you live in a northern climate and use powdered detergent in the colder months, chances are your washer may leave white residue on black clothes and other garments.
The water temperature may be too cold and may not correctly dissolve detergent, resulting in white “clumps” of undissolved detergent on the clothing.
To avoid white residue on clothes, you can:
- Ensure your washing machine is regulating the cold water temperature as it should
- Rewash the clothing with a cold water wash (60°F–80°F/15°C–26.7°C) to properly dissolve the detergent and then run the clothes through the dryer
- Run hot water in the sink near your washing machine to ensure that hot water runs through the water line adjacent to it
Always check and follow your appliance use and care instructions and for more information related to the cycles on your washer.
32 Responses
My LG washer I purchased 11-21. I noticed right away white residue on my dark colored clothes. I called LG and was told to use the clean cycle which I thought was odd since it was brand new. I clean it monthly now and still have white residue on the darks. I use the Tide pods and just put the pod in the machine. Could it be the pods not dissolving properly or the rinse cycle not long enough to get the soap out? They are HE pods but should I be using liquid tide or powder detergent instead?
Hi Valerie,
We are not the manufacturer of LG Washers. Please reach out to LG directly and ask for assistance.
– Whirlpool Team
I bought an LG about 3 years ago and I have the same problem. I have to wipe my black pants down with a wet cloth everytime I take them out of the washing machine. I’ve talked to a lot of people that have new machines but not LG, they don’t have these problems. This seems to be an LG problem. I will never buy an LG again. I hope you find the solution. I do use liquid detergent.
We have the same problem with our LG washer. It is such an inconvenience. I will never buy an LG again!
Hello Missy, We are so sorry for the issues you have experienced with your LG washer. We understand that it is disappointing to have an appliance fail to meet your expectations and we sincerely apologize for this. As we are not the manufacture for LG washers, we suggest you reach out to LG directly for assistance. Sincerely, Whirlpool Customer Care Team
I have the same problem with my Whirlpool machine which is brand new. I’m going to try & run the clean cycle, & see if that works. This is primarily happening to black leggings, (even though I’m already turning them inside out).
Hi Belinda, thank you for visiting our Appliance Answers website. I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing white residue happening with your Whirlpool washer. Can you please reply with the model number so we can better assist you? Look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Whirlpool Customer Care Team
I use tide liquid and get the residue. I have a maytag. Drives me crazy.
Hi Barb, thank you for visiting our Appliance Answers website. I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing white residue happening with your Maytag washer. Can you please reply with the model number so we can better assist you? Look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Whirlpool Customer Care Team
Could too much salt in the water softener be the problem?
Hello Judy, Thank You so much for visiting our site and reading our articles. We currently have an email out to our product experts to confirm if too much salt in the water softener may be one of the reasons for white residue on clothes. Once we receive confirmation, we will be sure to update you. – Whirlpool Team
Hi Judy,
Our product expert has gotten back to us and does not think that too much salt from a water softener system could be the culprit of the problem.
It is most often the temperature of the wash (if not using a cold water detergent, incoming water must be at least 65 to activate the chemical energy) AND/ OR too much detergent.
I hope this helps. Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.
Thank you,
Whirlpool Team
I have a ge washer. Same problem.
Hello Susan, We are so sorry for the issues you have experienced with your GE washer. We understand that it is disappointing to have an appliance fail to meet your expectations and we sincerely apologize for this. As we are not the manufacture for GE washers, we suggest you reach out to GE directly for assistance. Sincerely, Whirlpool Customer Care Team
I had a Maytag washer and it left white residue on all my dark clothes so I thought when I bought a new speed queen it wouldn’t happen. Wrong! I think it may be worse! Guess it happens to all machines but it is frustrating and a waste of water to have to rewash or rerinse clothes. Not very eco friendly.
Hello Kathy, We are so sorry for the issues you have experienced with your Maytag washer. We understand that it is disappointing to have an appliance fail to meet your expectations and we sincerely apologize for this. We would like to help you. Please call us at 1-800-807-6777 (M-T 8AM-6PM, W-F 9AM-6PM EST) with the model and serial number of your appliance so we can assist you.
Sincerely, Whirlpool Customer Care Team
I have a Maytag washer . I have had it a few years and the past several months I am getting white spots and streaks on black and dark clothing. I use a cold water HE liquid detergent. I have tried washing in hot and the same thing just happened. I can’t get it out of my clothes when rewashing. I am so irritated by this. It is beyond my comprehension how there are products on the market and this is a known problem with no resolve. I have always purchased Maytag now Whirlpool washer/dryers.
Hello Sonja, We are so sorry for the issues you have experienced with your Maytag Washer. We understand that it is disappointing to have an appliance fail to meet your expectations and we sincerely apologize for this. We would like to help you. Please call us at 1-800-807-6777 (M-T 8AM-6PM, W-F 9AM-6PM EST) with the model and serial number of your appliance so we can assist you.
Sincerely, Whirlpool Customer Care Team
I have a Whirlpool and it does the same thing. I use liquid HE detergent and use Affresh every month as directed. And then wipe down the inside of the washer with a clean towel. I sometimes rinse twice but nothing resolves the issue.
Hello Victoria,
There may be a few causes behind what is commonly referred to as “white residue”. This white residue may be the result of:
– Excessive lint.
– Using too much detergent.
– Interaction of the body soils, commonly found on workout clothes and activewear, with detergent.
In the case of Excessive lint, new articles of clothing, especially towels, may have it. Don’t worry as this is normal and can resolve itself over time. Dryers tend to remove most of the excess lint.
When too much detergent per load is used, this may lead to the formation of a white residue, especially if the water isn’t hot enough for the detergent to dissolve. This type of residue might appear clumpier than other types.
Refer to the users’ manual for your washer model to learn whether you should use High-Efficiency (HE) or non High Efficiency (non HE) detergent. Closely follow the detergent manufacturer’s instructions to determine the correct amount of detergent your washer requires. It’s best to never go over the max line on the dispenser.
Also, the interaction of some body soils with detergent may cause white residue on clothes to appear. This white residue isn’t the same as the one caused by lint despite looking somewhat similar to undissolved detergent.
Residue like this may accumulate within the creases and wrinkles of clothing and then be distributed throughout the entire load where it can cling onto other items.
Furthermore, this type of white residue may be more prevalent in loads that use warmer water. It has a propensity to form within loads of mixed items (e.g. cotton garments that are washed with synthetic garments), because the lower friction of synthetic fabrics may disrupt the washer’s mechanical action.
So how do we solve this?
To remove white residue from your clothes, rewashing the affected clothing items is one way to it. If you’re using cold water, confirm that the water temperature is at least 60 degrees. This is imperative as it allows the detergent to dissolve as needed. You may also try running hot water in the sink closest to the washer to ensure that hot water is running through the water lines near the washer.
Always use HE detergent like Swash. It comes with a Precision Pour Cap, which reduces the risk of using too much detergent. We also recommend using the “Clean Washer” cycle with affresh® once a month as this may help eliminate excess detergent.
Also, try these tips to determine what cycle, temperature and soil level can help deal with or avoid white residue on clothes.
Cycles
If available, choose one of these cycles: Heavy Duty, PowerWash, Deep Water Wash, and Whites. Avoid gentler cycles like Delicates, Casuals, and ColourLast, if possible.
Temperature
If available, choose cooler temperatures.
Soil Level
If available, choose higher soil levels like Heavy or Extra Heavy.
Try these tips to determine what cycle, temperature and soil level can help deal with or avoid white residue on clothes.
You may also opt to go with:
Cold temperature
Heavy soil
Extra rinse
Remember to always use the right amount of HE detergent.
– Whirlpool Customer Care team
I have a whirlpool washer Aldo and use high water and he soap and what machine recommends and my dark clothes always white.stuff residue,I know what the problem is,you no longer put agitators in the nachines,not washing the clothes these new washers are junk put agitators back in.
Hello Robert, We are so sorry for the issues you have experienced with your Whirlpool washer. We understand that it is disappointing to have an appliance fail to meet your expectations and we sincerely apologize for this. We would like to help you. Please call us at 1-800-807-6777 (M-T 8AM-6PM, W-F 9AM-6PM EST) with the model and serial number of your appliance so we can assist you.
Sincerely, Whirlpool Customer Care Team
I have the same issue with my Maytag washer. I think the HE machines just don’t permit enough water to enter the tub. My clothes aren’t even submerged…which makes me wonder how they even get clean! My old 80’s Maytag did a better job getting clothes clean than my new one! So frustrating!!!
Hello, thank you for visiting our website and actively participating.
With regards to water usage, newer washers will measure the water level needed depending on the cycle, the clothes weight, the water temperature and more. That means they will only use the amount of water that we will actually need for each cycle.
In general, HE washers use fewer resources such as energy, time, and water. HE washers use about half to three times less water than conventional ones use. Their movement help clean the items with a low water level on HE washer. The items circulate up, down, and around inside the machine, ensuring a thorough cleaning.
Because HE washers have lower water levels per load, you need to use an HE-specific laundry detergent. HE detergents are made to work well with less water than a conventional washer uses. Using a regular detergent in an HE washer defeats the purpose of the machine, as it would have to run more rinse cycles to completely rinse the soap from the laundry items.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Whirlpool Customer Care Team
Long story short, this is an ongoing issue, & the industry should fix the problem. Mine is a brand new Whirlpool purchased in July. I’m tempted to return it for a machine that has an agitator.
Its the same with our new Hotpoint, never, ever had it before on any make of machine, I personally think low temperature, low water usage and short programs are the cause of many problems, we now have cold fill only where water enters the machine in short bursts to allow it to warm but if detergent is not being swept into the drum straight away the residue coagulates in the tray, monthly clean is a new concept but it achieves nothing
I have a Frigidaire washer/dryer I also have white residue on my dark clothes, I have watered down my detergent cause I thought that was the problem, I have also added vinegar I don’t have a clean cycle the lid locks down when I start the machine so I can’t add anything
Hi Patty! For information on Frigidaire’s washer/dryer, please visit their website. If you are interested in learning about different types of washers from the Whirlpool Canada family of brands, you can check out our Washer buying guide or visit our Whirlpool Washer Finder to help find the right fit for you. Sincerely, Whirlpool Customer Care Team
Hello we have a whirlpool washer. And no matter what we use liquiddetergent or powder detergent. We stil get white marks on dark clothes. And we use cold water so o don’t understand.
Hello Arno, thank you for visiting our Appliance Answers website. I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing white residue happening with your Whirlpool washer. Can you please reply with the model number so we can better assist you? Look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Whirlpool Customer Care Team
I have a Kenmore washer that leaves white residue on dark clothing. I use less detergent, second rinse and clean machine once a month. Nothing helps. Called Kenmore Customer Service and they want $40 to speak to a technician! Kenmore is despicable! Don’t buy Kenmore. I may have to look to buy a washer with an agitator even though machine is not that old.
Hi Ginny, Thank You so much for visiting our site and reading this article.
I’m sorry you are having issues with your Kenmore washer. Can you please provide a model number so that we can better assist you? Sincerely, Whirlpool Customer Care Team
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