White marks on laundry

[theneverendinglaundry]

All my clothes seem to be coming out of the wash with white stains on. I can't work out where they are coming from - any ideas? And any tips to get rid?

I've been using Seventh Generation and Ecozone liquid detergent, soda crystals and Ecover fabric softener.

I dont think it's the soda crystals as I've been using them for years with no problems.

I use a dryer but dont use any dryer sheets, and have been using it for over a year. I think it must be either the softener or the detergent.

An update for anyone that may stumble across this thread in the future with the same problem - I washed the item in the picture with vinegar - nothing else - and the stains have come out. There was a fair bit of foam in the wash despite me not adding any detergent so I think the problem is either detergent residue or softener.

What temperature do you wash on?

Usually 30, but sometimes 40 if things are particularly grubby.

I did the vinegar wash at 40

See I get that with liquid at lower temperatures! Gone back to powder and a higher temp and it's gone.

Just watched an experiment on bbc1 where they washed bed sheets at 30c and it actually increased the bacteria by 8x

@bunburyscucumbersandwich

Just watched an experiment on bbc1 where they washed bed sheets at 30c and it actually increased the bacteria by 8x

Oh wow! I'll have to find that and watch it.

It seems to happen at 40 as well as 30. I dunno. I never had this problem with my persil/comfort set up. I am losing faith in my eco friendly laundry products. I don't think I'll ever find ones that work!

I get that too. I think it happens if I put too much stuff in the machine and the clothes don't all get rinsed fully.

You've got quite a few products going on there. I always do an extra rinse - does it help if you do that?

I only use detergent, soda crystals (to soften the water) and softener.

I even use the sensitive cycle on the machine, which uses extra water and does an extra rinse! And I never overload.