I have had 2 occassions where my clothes have emerged from my washer with grease streaks. I only use HE detergent, and have only recently begun using fabric softener. The first incident happened before I had ever used softener in the machine. My washer is approaching 2 years, and I do not have any mold or mildew smell. I did a tub rinse and routinely wipe out the rubber seal and leave the door open most times after washing. Could I be having an issue with the bearings or some other motor issue which causes grease to be released? It seems to happen at the end of the cycle because the deposits are streaked and don't look as if they were smudged from a wash/rinse cycle...any thoughts??? I am very happy with the washer in every other way and am hoping there is a simple/cheap fix...
We run a small hotel and have been having this same problem with our LG Direct Drive WM2301HW... but the stains aren't grease at all... they're from sledge buildup in the washer. I found this out when I cleaned the lint trap behind the small door at the bottom left, on front of the machine. I ran my finger around the interior and found it lined with black, stinky muck. Due to the low position of the filter, this area never fully drains, so the muck collects and the bacteria grows. Of course, this means the pipes or hoses to the filter are probably also lined with this muck.... Poor design!!! Try running the washer empty (no clothes) with a couple cups of honest to goodness chlorine bleach. Then run it again to make sure all the stuff that came loose gets pumped out.
While we continue to have stain problems of various types... such is our lot with a motel, we've found two things are quite helpful. First, KIRKLAND Drier Sheets from COSTCO CAUSED STAINS! Second, soaking stains in a solution of disolved automatic dishwasher detergent, with some mild scrubbing, usually gets problem stains out.
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If there is loud rubbing/grinding noise during spin cycle, grease are worn bearing material is leaking past the failed bearing seal. If not your machine is "sludged" or molded.
Sludge buildup comes from a combination of things, the foremost being that too much detergent is used and the second is from hard water. The combination creates insoluble salts that coat the hidden parts of the washer - outside the inner basket, in the pump, and in front load machines, within the front rubber bellows. It is additionally possible for mold to grow in natural fibers that are trapped in the sediment.
The clue would be the condition of the metal, rubber and glass parts of the washer. If the inner basket or glass don't feel slick when dry, or show any chalkiness, they have calcium salts buildup. If the rubber parts feel slimy a day after you've washed and left the door open, you probably have fabric softener and mold buildup
btw, "Fabric softener" is the same chemically as creamy hair conditioner. If your hair gets greasy a day after using it, you should greatly educe your use of conditioner and softener.
I would start by doing a load of towels that can withstand chlorine bleach and very warm/hot water. Use half the detergent you'd normally use and omit fabric softer. Stop the machine before the first drain cycle and let it sit for 2 hours. The fumes from the bleach will reduce, not eliminate mold. Finish the washing cycle and wash the towels again with just hot water. Observe the sudsing.
Laundry detergents and additives are bases. Over time excess amounts will deposit themselves on their containers. The way to remove them is to convert the deposits to soluble salts using a weak acid. I recommend using vinegar, adding it to both bleach and fabric softener dispensers (or manually). You can do this by running the machine with white towels several times, or washing your your clothes with vinegar and no detergent.
I've found that using white vinegar instead of fabric softener does the same job better and cheaper, and 1/4 cup washing "soda" without detergent cleans lightly soiled clothes well.
The first few times I washed previously washed clothing without detergent, a large amount of suds were produced by detergent trapped in the clothing. Over a dozen washes, the front door glass "dome" and seal that had become coated with limescale became become clear again. I now only use detergent for heavily soiled clothing I pre-treat spots and use half as much as before. My clothes have never looked better! My knit shirts are softer than they ever were using fabric softener, and my permanent pressed khakis look great.
I have the exact same problem and I have NEVER used fabric softner. My washer is less than a year old. It is wiped down after each use, the door is left open, and we clean the trap out at least monthly.
you need to remove the agitator things with the roller balls. One screw, and slide them toward the front of the machine. you will find the mother-load of black stuff. also you may have a similar buildup in the soap dispenser. you can remove this and clean and flush, but i'm replacing mine because the sludge in there is too much for any cleaning solution. and of course there's the door seal, underneath and behind it.
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If the problem was a bearing issue you would hear it. There is very little grease in the bearings, so I don't think that is the problem. It could be the fabric softener or maybe something that was left in a pocket. Try washing the clothes out again to see if it comes out.
I have heard of this on the dryer before.
Sgt 48
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I have the same problem with my LG washer, that is 8 months old.
I have the same problem with my washer that is almost 1 year old. I've had 2 LG repairmen and one authorized LG repair service look at my washer. None of them could find any problems and/or knew why this was happening. In fact, they have never heard of this.
I have the same thing happen, but not on every wash.
I have the same problem it is reaking alot of cloths. It mostly happens when I wash white cloths and you cam not get it out HELP
I too have this problem and am getting tired of it! I am going to email LG and if I get no help I might just sell it! I/you shouldnt have to deal with this we have spent good money to get a good product!
I have the same problem and the washer is about two years old. I has happened a couple of times over the past 4 months.
Refer to the solutions for mildew or odor in front loaders as I believe the stains are related to body oils and scum left at the "high water" mark in the tub. We have both symptoms. I am going to do a thorough monthly cleaning at the highest water level I can, keep the door area clean and open between washes, reduce the amount of detergent for less sudsing, and clean out the filter at the lower left of the LG machine. We will see if this helps.
Mike, San Jose-CA
I have the same problem. It doesn't happen all the time, but it is annoying. My LG is comming up on two years old in September. I hate the grease looking stains & I can't seem to get them out after that happens. I use HE detergent & no softner. I leave the door open & clean the rubber around the door.
I am having this same problem and I am tired of ruining my clothes. These stains DO NOT come out!
I am having the same problem with mine...I am tired of ruining our clothes. These stains DO NOT come out. Ironic since this machine is supposed to be able to remove all sorts of stains...
I am also having the same problem . It has been going on for about a month and has destroyed several pieces of clothing.
I LG WM230 Grease Stains - I had the same problem and then decided to remove the 3 roller jets in the tub. There was an umbelievable accumulation of grease under them, what a poor design to accumulate this gunk. Problem Solved!
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