# Rust in washing machine **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 21, 2002, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-in-washing-machine/110016 "2002-05-21T02:20:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-in-washing-machine/110016/1 "2002-05-21T02:20:35Z")
hmmmm, am I the only person who doesn’t see the post, or was there an error. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-in-washing-machine/110016/2 "2002-05-21T02:27:54Z")
Sometimes the server swallows the OP. “I’ll take “Vanishing OPs for $200”, Alex…” [Alex reads card] “And the answer is, ‘Rust in washing machine…’” [ding!] “What is the reason for rust-colored stains on your t-shirts?” . . . . . . . Waiting for the judges’ decision… Boscibo? ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-in-washing-machine/110016/3 "2002-05-21T02:32:11Z")
[ul]:rolleyes: [sup]I’ve said time and time again that they need to stop using water in those contrapions.[/sup][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-in-washing-machine/110016/4 "2002-05-21T02:38:07Z")
I don’t know where the post went. I got a “Cannot find Server” message when I posted it, but trust the hampsters here and didn’t view the post after I saw that it showed up in the list. But thanks to my nifty clipboard thingy I still have it. 🙂 The OP: > [@](#): > > I don’t know what to do. Some of our light colored clothing is coming out with rust spots on them. This happened before and we had all the old pipes replaced with plastic pipes and it seemed to fix it. Now it is happening again. The washing machine is around 6 years old. What can be done to stop the evil rust spots? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-in-washing-machine/110016/5 "2002-05-21T03:28:13Z")
Look closely at the tub to see if there are teeny rust spots on it. > **[The latest from the StarTribune](https://www.startribune.com/)** > > Follow the StarTribune for the news, photos and videos from the Twin Cities and beyond. > [@](#): > > …If the rust is from the washer, it means the porcelain finish on the steel has been weakened. Once the porcelain is weakened and breaks down, the metal underneath is exposed and then rusts. Because you have small dots of rust stains, it’s possible the porcelain is missing in a fine, pinprick array that is not easily visible. > > Vinegar is one thing that will weaken porcelain. Many people use vinegar in their washing machines to reduce soap scum but with enough exposure it disintegrates the glass in the porcelain. > > Also, sharp objects, such as nails going though the wash in pockets, can harm the finish. > > Some people have used the washer as a place to store urine-soaked diapers, clothing or bedding. That, too, can weaken porcelain. > > If the washer is working well, replace the tub. Contact a company that services your brand of washer. > > Otherwise, it’s time to get a new washer. If you are fond of using vinegar in the washer, consider a model with a stainless steel tub. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-in-washing-machine/110016/6 "2002-05-21T05:35:38Z")
Try running the washer with some CLR. Its a cleaning chemical which dissolves Calcium, Lime, and Rust. ---
**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-in-washing-machine/110016/7 "2002-05-21T10:16:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Duck Duck Goose \* > \*\*Look closely at the tub to see if there are teeny rust spots on it. > [http://www.startribune.com/stories/397/1701710.html](http://www.startribune.com/stories/397/1701710.html) > > "Vinegar is one thing that will weaken porcelain. Many people use vinegar in their washing machines to reduce soap scum but with enough exposure it disintegrates the glass in the porcelain. > > \*\* people use vinegar in their washing? Is that so they can go round smelling like a pickled onion? Surely modern washing powders are formulated to stop scumming? ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-in-washing-machine/110016/8 "2002-05-21T11:37:39Z")
Two things: As far as the rust in the machine goes, I would try a product called Iron-Out. It worked miracles in our old dishwasher. Second, how’s your water? Rust on clothes could be a sign of excessive iron in your drinking water in which case a water softener may be the answer. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-in-washing-machine/110016/9 "2002-05-21T14:00:10Z")
Our last washer lasted 15 years with no rust spots, so six sounds a little early to me. However, I could imagine that washing lots of clothes with heavy metal fasteners could chip the porcelain and expose the steel. Our new washer has some space-age polymer tub with a lifetime guarantee, so I think they have the rust problem licked now. ---
**Author:** ![EchoKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@EchoKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EchoKitty)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-in-washing-machine/110016/10 "2002-05-21T14:27:46Z")
Iron Out is the greatest invention known to modern man. I use it in every load of whites. We have really funky, rusty well water (we mostly drink bottled water) and its the only product that removes the rust. I could sell this stuff on TV! Or door-to-door! It’s fabulous! ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rust-in-washing-machine/110016/11 "2002-05-21T16:58:54Z")
I’ve checked the washing machine tub, and it looks perfect. No dings, pits, dents, nothing. We already have a water softener. Another thing - I took a shower late last evening, and when I turned the water on, the first little bit was rusty colored! So it looks like something is wrong in the plumbing somewhere. We’ll probably get a plumber in to look at the pipes agin. Thanks! (I’ll try that Iron out stuff too)