19 Feb 2025
Surely to goodness laundry detergent is meant to tackle stains, not create them??
But sometimes, your freshly washed clothes come out of the machine with pesky streaks or patches caused by laundry liquid or capsules. It happens to the best of us.
Annoying? Yes.
Unfixable? No.
Here’s what’s going on, how to remedy it and how to avoid it in the first place.
why does my machine leave detergent stains on my clothes?
Detergent stains happen when for some reason the detergent doesn’t dissolve properly or gets trapped within your clothing.
With laundry liquid, it can occur if too much product is used or if the washing machine doesn’t rinse thoroughly.
For laundry capsules, incorrect placement or overloading the drum can prevent the capsule from dissolving fully, leaving residue behind.
how to avoid detergent stains on clothes.
Nobody has time for extra laundry dramas. So follow these tips for a residue-free wash:
1. place capsules properly.
Always pop them at the back of the empty drum before adding your clothes. This ensures they dissolve completely in the pooling water and aren’t trapped in fabric folds.
2. don’t overload your machine.
We’ve all been tempted, but cramming too much into the drum reduces water flow and stops your detergent from circulating properly. Aim for a hand span of space between the top of your laundry pile and the top inside of the washing machine drum.
3. use the right temperature.
Some detergents (especially capsules) need warmer water to dissolve fully.
Thankfully smol capsules are designed to still work brilliantly (as low as 20°C) thanks to their cold wash power technology BUT if you’re just doing a quick 10 or 15 minute refresher wash, you might need to turn up to 30°C.
4. stick to the recommended dose.
For liquid detergent, more isn’t better. Overdosing can leave behind sticky residue. Luckily, smol laundry liquid needs just 10 pumps for a standard load and its handy pump dispenser ensures you’ll dose accurately according to your needs.
If you’re not using smol, ensure you have a dosing cap to measure out your liquid.
5. run a maintenance wash.
Every month or so, run an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar to clean detergent build-up from your machine. There’s a great guide you can follow right here.
how to remove detergent stains after washing (or drying).
If some detergent stains have snuck through… don’t worry. Here’s how to deal with them:
- rinse the stain immediately. Warm water is best.
- add a cup of white vinegar to a sink of warm water and soak the garment for an hour.
- gently scrub at the detergent to loosen the residue.
- rinse thoroughly and repeat if needed.
- wash the item again but don’t dry it until you’re sure the coast is clear.
does vinegar remove detergent build-up?
Yes! White vinegar is a powerhouse when it comes to dissolving detergent residue. Use it to soak stained clothes (as above) or as part of a maintenance wash to clean your machine. It’s natural, effective and kind to your clothes.
With a few simple tweaks, you can keep your clothes looking spotless every time. And remember, laundry liquid and laundry capsules are designed to dissolve fully if they have access to lots of water - so any detergent stains should always come right out. If your stain is choosing to remain… it may be something other than detergent.