# Mystery stains

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-stains/21416>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 5, 2000, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-stains/21416 "2000-06-05T04:10:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2000, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-stains/21416/1 "2000-06-05T04:10:52Z")

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Why would my white sweater have light brownish-red stains after I take it out of the washing machine, but not before? Fortunately, I was able to save it by washing it with Shout, but I’d like to stop it happening again.

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**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2000, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-stains/21416/2 "2000-06-05T04:36:21Z")

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Do you have any rust or iron in your water pipes? That can do it.

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**Author:** ![Steve-o](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@Steve-o](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve-o)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2000, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-stains/21416/3 "2000-06-05T05:14:29Z")

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I think **pkbites** has it. I’ll bet your water was turned off and back on between the last time you washed, and the time you stained your sweater.