How to Remove Dryer Stains on Clothes: 2025 Techniques

Different Dryer Stains and How They Occur

Stains on clothes after drying can come in many shapes and forms. Identifying the type is your first step towards restoring your clothes to their original glory.

You might encounter grease or oil stains, food stains, ink stains, plant stains and more. The culprits behind these stains are varied:

• Overlooked items in pockets before drying.
• Excessive fabric softener or detergent.
• Grass stains.
• Neglecting to treat stains prior to drying.

Remember, the longer a stain stays, the deeper it seeps into the fabric fibers, making it more challenging to get rid of dryer stains. So, act fast to prevent permanent staining.

Tested Techniques for Removing Stains

Knowing how to remove stains is crucial for everyone. Here are some tested strategies to tackle different types of stains.

3 Laundry Stain Removal Hacks – Tested by Sears Home Services

Here’s a video that shows 3 laundry stain removal hacks that we tested:

Hack #1: Use a DIY Cleaning Solution to Remove Grass Stains

Just because you get grass stains on your favorite piece of clothes doesn’t mean that it’s ruined forever.

Try this hack to remove grass stains.

1. In an appropriate-sized container, add two tablespoons hydrogen peroxide and one tablespoon of dish soap to about 24 oz. of water (two 12-oz. glasses of water).
2. Soak your stained clothing item in the mixture for 15-20 minutes.
3. Wash the garment using an appropriate wash cycle.

During our test, the DIY cleaning solution that we used removed virtually all of the grass stains. This hack passed our test.

Hack #2: Remove Ink Stains Using Hand Sanitizer or Hairspray

Before you begin, place a cloth under the stain so it doesn’t bleed through to the other side of the garment during treatment.

1. Saturate the ink stain with either hand sanitizer or hairspray.
2. Blot the stain.
3. Wait 1-2 minutes.
4. Wash the garment using appropriate washer settings.

In our test, both the hand sanitizer and the hairspray removed the ink stains. This stain removal hack passed our test.

Hack #3: Use Cola to Remove Grease Stains

Grease stains are some of the toughest to remove from clothing. Pouring cola on a grease stain sounds scary. That’s why we tested this hack to find out whether it actually works.

1. Saturate the grease stain in cola.
2. Let the garment sit for 15 minutes.
3. Throw the item in the washer.

Surprisingly, this hack for removing grease stains from clothing worked amazingly well. This grease removal hack passed our test.

Keep all of these verified hacks in mind when you need to remove tough stains from clothing.

Additional Stain Removal Techniques

Here are additional proven techniques for removing tough stains.

Pre-Treating Stains

Blot the stain gently with a clean cloth to remove excess substance. Apply a stain remover to the stained area, let it sit for a few minutes before tossing it into the washer.

There are numerous stain removal products available, such as enzyme-based cleaners and oxygen bleach. Alternatively, you can use household items like vinegar for coffee or tea stains, and baking soda for grease stains. Always test any product on a small, hidden area of the fabric first.

Removing Specific Types of Stains

Certain stains call for certain techniques. Here's how to remove ink from a clothes dryer and more.

• Grease stains: Blot the grease, sprinkle cornstarch or baby powder, brush off the powder, and pre-treat the stain before washing.
• Ink stains: Clean ink out of a clothes dryer by dabbing the stain with rubbing alcohol, blot until the ink transfers, rinse with cold water, and pre-treat the stain before washing.
• Food stains: Remove excess food, rinse with cold water, apply liquid detergent directly to the stain, rub the fabric together, and wash as usual.

These special techniques will help you get rid of stains and maintain your clothes' best look. Always follow the care instructions on your clothing labels and test any stain removal method on a small area first.

Preventing Stains on Clothes from the Dryer

Prevention is better than cure - this saying holds true for dryer stains as well. Here are some tips to prevent stains during the drying process:

• Empty pockets: Ensure pockets are empty before drying. Small items like change or tissues can stain or damage your clothes.
• Separate colors: Sort laundry by color to prevent color bleeding. Washing dark clothes separately from light ones can help avoid stains.
• Inspect clothing: Check for stains or spills before drying. Pre-treating these stains can prevent them from setting in during the drying process.
• Maintain your dryer: Regularly inspect and clean the dryer drum to prevent residue or buildup from staining your clothes.

By following these preventive measures, you can keep your clothes stain-free and prolong the life of your garments.

Spots or streaks on freshly dried laundry can stem from leftover inks, melted residues, or faulty seals. This guide reveals proven methods for stain removal. Meanwhile, if your dishwasher is leaving hard-water stains or food remnants, Sears Home Services offers dishwasher repair in my area for specialized care.

Occasionally, leftover debris or residue in the drum can mark clothes with dark streaks. This blog describes proven methods for lifting stubborn stains. If the issue repeatedly returns or you spot drum damage, a professional inspection might be wise. Turn to dryer repair service to eliminate underlying mechanical or airflow issues.