Bosch Series 4 washer - spots and marks appearing on clothes

[Stringer]

Hi,

I was hoping someone could help us. We’re having an absolute nightmare with our washing machine. Some of our clothes are coming out with dark spots and larger stained areas (brown, sometimes look almost black and sometimes a bit orange – obviously some of this depends on the colour of clothing) on that are impossible to wash out. My first instincts, like yours most likely will be, are that it’s something we’re doing but I have ruled pretty much everything out.

It all started with our previous Samsung machine and we actually had Samsung in to look at the machine and they couldn’t see much but replaced the drum. We found it still carried on doing it and unfortunately, our machine had fallen out of warranty so we decided to replace the machine.

We now have a Bosch Series 4 machine (WAN28250GB) and we still have the same problem.

We’ve tried everything:

·         Where the machine drains

·         Different powder, liquids and capsules

·         Different temperatures (does it across all temperatures)

·         Sort the washing by whites, lights, colours and darks and we’ve noticed it across all

·         Use colour catcher sheets

·         Don’t use softener

·         Also washed clothes in other people’s machines and all come out clear of marks.

We find that it mostly does it on cottons and in this fabric, it’s pretty much impossible to get out. Tried Vanish Oxi spray and powder, white vinegar, lemon juice, standard Vanish, you name it!

It doesn’t do it on every wash, and it doesn’t appear on every item in the wash. It sometimes does something random, like on a recent wash, the only item it did it on was my son’s white school polo which is 50% cotton and 50% polyester. This was strange as they have never been affected before.

I wondered if it was rust from the pipes or water but I’ve tried soaking according to what Vanish say and have tried specific rust remover, white vinegar and lemon juice and this doesn’t work. The pipes are also relatively new, so I can’t see it being this. We’ve never noticed it coming out of the water either.

Is it possible that it’s some sort of reaction? I really can’t see it being the machine as it also did it with our Samsung machine.

We’re at a total loss now as to what it could be, and what we could do to try and solve this problem. We’re constantly ruining clothes and any help is much appreciated!

See some of the clothes that this has affected in the attached images.

Thanks,

Mark

Edited June 14, 2023 by Stringer

[Whitegoodshelp]

Hi. That sounds very frustrating. We also had a strange incident this weekend when my wife's white top came out with dark brown stains on it for no apparent reason.

As it's done the same on two different brands of washing machine, you should be able to rule out a fault on the washing machine - unless the second time it has happened (on the Bosch) it only happened some time after you bought the new washing machine.

In other words, it could still be something that is happening inside your washing machine if it's something that you are doing or washing that causes it. If this was the case, I would expect the new washing machine to solve the problem, until the new washing machine also became "affected". This could also explain why it doesn't happen on someone else's washing machine.

But if the laundry also came out of the Bosh washing machine with these marks virtually straight away, then it would be logical to say it's nothing wrong inside the washing machine - especially as Samsung engineers could find no fault either.

This just leaves something in or on the laundry itself, or the detergent or water at your house. The first thing I would say is are you using a good quality detergent (preferably powder) and using the correct amount of detergent as described on the instructions for the level of soiling and how hard your water is?

This is because if you don't use enough detergent, you can get grease and stains being redeposited from one item onto another.

I can see you are so far very thorough in trying to solve this. Check out these article too in case they help -

Grease marks on laundry after washing

Laundry not getting properly clean in washing machine

Grease grime and washing machine smells

[Stringer]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated. 

Answering some of your points, the new Bosch machine started doing it after about a week, so it pretty much just carried on as usual once we got the new machine. It doesn't affect every wash which makes me sometimes question the water supply causing it.

Weirdly, it's mostly our children's clothes that it appears on and at one point it seemed to happen with clothes that we'd had given to us from friends but I disproved this by it never happening when I tested loads in other machines.

Dosing-wise, we live in an area of Derbyshire with soft water and dose according to the manufacturer's recommendations for soft water. I was wondering if it was the capsules and liquid causing the stains but it has happened with powder as well. I've tried supermarket brands and the likes of Ariel and Persil and it has happened with all of them.

I was thinking about contacting Servern Trent Water to see if they could offer any advice on the water and also we have contacted a plumber to see about checking our pipes. If these come back inconclusive, I'm even more baffled!

Thanks,
Mark
 

[Whitegoodshelp]

A good way to test the water is to hold a white cloth over the tap and let water run through it for a few minutes to see if any staining occurs.

If the water supply to your washing machine comes from a cold water storage tank or hot water tank I would disconnect the hose(s) from the washing machine, and try it holding a white cloth tightly over the end of the hose. 
 

Also check to see if the filters in the water valve are dirty/discoloured 

[Stringer]

Thanks, I'll take a look and try this. I'll let you know how I get on.

Mark

[Kitsune]

Hi Stringer

Did you get the issue resolved? I have a similar problem with the stains looking the same and it also mostly seems to happen to my child's clothing. One difference is it only happened since our new washing machine though.

[Chloe123]

We’re also having this issue - we’ve had 2 machines now (as we replaced the first when we couldn’t find a fault and now the new machine is doing it too). Also seems to target the children’s clothing! And just happens randomly- did anyone find a solution because I am driving myself crazy everytime I do the washing, it’s so stressful.

[Whitegoodshelp]

Hi, the solution is most likely to be in one of the links that I posted in my first reply. They go to articles about what causes washing machines to not clean properly or what causes marks on laundry.

[Chloe123]

Thanks Andy,

I did read through those links but I’m struggling to see any cause or fix that we haven’t already looked into unfortunately . The washing machine is clean - spotless I’ve been cleaning it that much. We’ve had it just under a year and I’ve made sure to clean it weekly as I didn’t want this issue to arise again (after it happened with our previous machine). 
we’re in a soft water area according to United utilities so have been using the correct dosage for that, and I don’t overload the machine. We don’t use fabric softener and there’s no bad smells from the machine or from the “dirty” clothes themselves. It’s only 2-3 pieces of clothing that come out with “dirt” splatters and it’s not every wash but I can’t find the reason behind why! 
I’ve spoken to a plumber as I thought maybe the pipe work was causing it but he said that wouldn’t be possible. In my head if it’s not the machine it has to be either the drain pipe (but this flows down so I can’t see how the water would get back in) or the inlet pipe but the plumber said no.. although maybe I should speak to a few more plumbers to be sure.

 

Ive just bought some powder detergent to try instead of liquid so hopefully this helps, but happy to try any other options too!

[Whitegoodshelp]

I would definitely recommend switching to good quality detergent. I don't rate liquid detergent at all. How long after buying the new washing machine did the problem reappear? In other words, did you still have the problem right from using the new washing machine or was it some months later?