Clothing has White Residue - Stacked Laundry Center

White Residue on Clothing

• Interaction of body soils with detergent, most frequently found on work out clothing or activewear
• Excessive lint
• Excess detergent
• Non-high efficiency (HE) detergent
• Detergent build-up in the washer
• Home water quality 
• Too cold water

Interaction of body soils

The interaction of somebody soils with detergent may result in the formation of a  white residue.  This residue might accumulate within the folds and wrinkles of garments or be widely distributed throughout the fabric load.  Warmer water and washing mixed loads (e.g., cotton mixed with synthetic garments) may exacerbate this residue.  To help reduce this residue, follow these tips, depending on your washer's cycles:

• Use cycles including Heavy Duty, PowerWash, Deep Water Wash, and Whites, where available.
• Avoid gentler cycles, such as Delicates, Casuals, and ColorLast, where applicable.
• Select cooler temperatures when acceptable for the fabric you are washing.
• Select higher soil levels (e.g., Heavy, Extra Heavy) when acceptable for the fabric you are washing.
• Select the extra rinse option.
• Always use the correct amount of HE detergent. 

Excessive lint

Using too much detergent 

Using non-high efficiency (HE) detergent

The use of a non-HE detergent in a HE washer may result in white "clumps" of undissolved detergent. Rewashing clothing items should remove these clumps.  Running items through the dryer will also help remove these clumps.  Always use only HE detergent.

"Clean Washer" cycle needs to be run

Water is too cold

This symptom is more common if you are using powdered detergent. It also happens more frequently during cold months in northern climates. 

If your washer water is too cold, it may not properly dissolve detergent, which may result in white "clumps" of detergent on clothing. Rewashing clothing items should remove these clumps.  Running items through the dryer will also help remove these clumps.  If using a cold water wash, ensure that your water temperature is at least 60 degrees to properly dissolve detergent.  Your washer should also regulate the cold water temperature by adding hot water to bring the temperature up. Run hot water in the sink closest to the washer to help ensure that hot water is running through the water lines near the washer.