Removing stains left by oil-leaking washer

nath_2006

17 years ago

Based largely on the feedback from this forum, I just replaced my previous Kenmore top loader by a Bosch 500. The Kenmore washer had to go because the motor was leaking oil into the water during the cycle. Our white and light clothes now have brown lines everywhere. Would anyone had a recommendation on how to remove these oil stains (manually or with the help of the Bosch 500)?

Featured Answer

chris_getcrunchy_com

16 years ago

The best way, and I mean the really best way to get oil out of any fabric is to use the lacquer thinner trick on this site. It's the best way to get out oil, even if has set in.

http://www.everylastpenny.com/Household_Expenses/Save_On_Dry_Cleaning_-_Clean_Oil_Spots_From_Your_Clothes.html

Here is a link that might be useful: Cleain oil spot from your clothes

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Comments (7)

bob_brown
17 years ago
Hello,
If they have been set by drying in a dryer, discard the clothes unless white, then bleach them until clean. Dry Cleaning can remove some oils on colors.
wblynch
17 years ago
We suffered the same exact problem with our Whirlpool and also ended up with the Bosch.

My wife was able to get some of the greasy stains out by spraying with some sort of "oxy" pre-wash and then washing the stained clothes using the "heavy duty" option.

Not all of the stained clothes were saved but most were, including some nice shirts that I would have hated to lose.

Good luck.
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DARLENE_TN
17 years ago
If you haven't discarded the oily clothes yet don't! Buy you a bar of ZOTE. This is a laundry soap (bar type not powder) used in mexico. You can buy it usually at walmart, or your local grocery store. its about 1.00 for a bar and its 14.1 oz yes its a huge bar!! I make my laundry detergent using that stuff. wet the clothes in the oily places and work in the zote soap. let it sit for awhile and fill the washer with warm water and borax & washing soda (1/2 cup each) and let it soak for about an hour then wash. possibly may need to be repeated if really bad. Doesn't matter if they have been dried or not previously.
If you can't find zote than pick up a bottle of LESTOIL add to wash and put some directly on the oil stains and wash as usual. My ex-husband was a mechanic and always came home covered in grease and oil. I always used lestoil to get the oil & grease out of his work clothes.
Good Luck and let us know the results if you do it
Darlene
dadoes
16 years ago
This is an old thread that I don't recall seeing in the past. However, I'd like to point out in reference to the OP that, assuming the machine in question was a direct-drive toploader, it's IMPOSSIBLE for the MOTOR to leak oil into the wash water. The transmission, yes. Motor, no way. The motor is located in the base of the machine, completely OUTSIDE the tub. I know this point is just a technicality, but I think it's important to clarify the details to head-off the spread of misinformation.
Maria espino
7 years ago
And a lot of people say it is a softener problem, but we don't use softener. What gives, how do I stop this from happening? grrrrrr
mamapinky0
7 years ago
Maria, there is only two ways to solve a problem of oil leaking into the machine, have it repaired or replaced.