Blue Stains After Washing Clothes? (Solved)

October 21, 2024 Daniel Mayerson

Laundry day can be full of surprises, and not always the good kind.

Have you ever pulled your clothes out of the wash only to find mysterious blue stains all over them? It's enough to make anyone frustrated!

But don't worry - you're not alone. This happens more often than you might think.

In this post, I’ll explain why there are blue stains after washing clothes, and how to get rid of them.

Why Do My Clothes Have Blue Stains After Washing

The blue stains on your clothes after washing are detergent stains.

These can happen for a number of reasons. Let me explain:

Overfilling The Dispenser

This is probably the most common cause of blue stains after washing clothes.

Many laundry detergents and fabric softeners contain blue coloring. When you put too much of these products in their compartments, they can come out too early in the wash cycle.

Cracked Or Leaking Dispenser

If your detergent dispenser / compartment is damaged, it might leak detergent or softener right onto your clothes at odd times during the wash.

When this happens, the product doesn't mix with water like it should. Instead, it goes straight onto your clothes in concentrated form.

This can leave behind blue stains that match how your clothes were arranged in the machine.

So double check if the dispenser is cracked or damaged in any way.

Detergent Or Softener Not Dissolving

Some detergents and fabric softeners work best in warm or hot water.

If you use them in cold water, they might not dissolve completely.

This leaves little bits of undissolved product that can stick to your clothes, and if these bits contain blue coloring, you get blue marks or stains.

This tends to happen more with powder detergents or really concentrated liquid ones.

Using Expired Fabric Softener

Did you know fabric softener can go bad?

When it does, it might not mix with water properly anymore. Instead, it can leave behind gooey residue on your clothes, often showing up as blue or purple stains.

The coloring in the softener might also transfer onto your clothes more easily as the product breaks down.

Also Read: Soaking Clothes In OxiClean Overnight

So double check if your fabric softener is not expired.

Color Bleed From Other Fabrics

While this isn't directly related to detergent issues, color bleeding can sometimes be mistaken for detergent stains.

Sometimes, other clothes in the wash (especially new ones or ones with lots of dark blue or indigo dye) can release color.

This dye can then stick to lighter-colored clothes, creating blue stains that might look like they're from detergent.

How To Get Blue Detergent Stains Out Of Clothes

Now that we've talked about the potential causes of blue stains after washing clothes, let's look at some effective methods for removing these marks:

#1 Rewash the Clothes

Sometimes, the easiest fix is the best one. If you spot blue stains right after washing, try washing the clothes again without any detergent or softener.

This can help rinse away any leftover product that might be causing the stains.

Use the hottest water temperature that's safe for the fabric to increase the chances of removing the stains.

#2 Soak In Vinegar

White vinegar is pretty great for cleaning all sorts of things, including these blue stains.

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, then soak the stained bits for about half an hour. After that, rinse it out and wash the clothes again like normal.

The vinegar helps break down the detergent gunk and lift those stains away.

#3 Dish Soap

You also try using some dish soap.

Put a little bit right on the blue stain and work it in gently with your fingers or a soft brush. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then rinse it with cold water and wash the clothing again.

Dish soap is great at cutting through grease, so it works well on detergent residue too.

#4 Rubbing Alcohol

If the blue stains have been there a while, rubbing alcohol might do the trick.

Dab some on the stain with a clean white cloth, working from the outside in to avoid spreading it. Once you've covered the whole stain, rinse the clothing with cold water and wash it again.

Just be sure to test this on a hidden spot first – some fabrics don't play nice with alcohol.

#5 Bleach

For white clothes or ones that won't fade, bleach can be a powerful stain remover.

Mix one part bleach with four parts water and soak the stained clothing for about 15 minutes. Rinse it out really well, then wash as usual.

But be careful – bleach is strong stuff. Don't use it on colored clothes unless you're absolutely sure it won't fade them.

Bottom Line

Blue stains after washing can be a real pain, but now you know these are detergent stains and how to deal with them.

Be careful with how much detergent and softener you use, check your washing machine for problems, and treat stains quickly when they pop up.

This will keep your clothes looking fresh and stain-free.

Just remember to always check the labels on your clothes and test any stain-removal trick on a small, hidden area first to make sure it won't damage the fabric.