# Washing machine drum stained by clothing.. Help! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 10, 2014, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-machine-drum-stained-by-clothing-help/692757 "2014-07-10T12:27:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-machine-drum-stained-by-clothing-help/692757/1 "2014-07-10T12:27:43Z")
I washed a new dress (in cold water, gentle cycle) and it bled all over the washer drum. I’ve run bleach, vinegar, and oxyclean through three times, with minimal results. I don’t know if it’s a set stain at this point that I shouldn’t worry about, but I do know that I’d rather not have all my (or the boyfriend’s) clothes end up dyed cranberry. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-machine-drum-stained-by-clothing-help/692757/2 "2014-07-10T12:59:18Z")
Have you tried [dye remover?](http://laundry.about.com/od/stainremoverreviews/fr/Rit-Color-Remover-About-Com-Laundry-Guide-Review.htm) ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-machine-drum-stained-by-clothing-help/692757/3 "2014-07-10T13:15:32Z")
Hmmm, no. It says it’s for fabrics; do you think it’ll work on metal? I’m willing to give pretty much anything a shot. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-machine-drum-stained-by-clothing-help/692757/4 "2014-07-10T14:39:17Z")
it is possible that it would be bad for the washer to use chemicals that are not used in normal washing or to use them at a higher strength. run some white sheets through as a test. if they come out white then you’re good. if they come out cranberry then they are nice colorful sheets. repeat until white sheets comes out white. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-machine-drum-stained-by-clothing-help/692757/5 "2014-07-10T14:47:19Z")
A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and a little elbow grease should clean that right up. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-machine-drum-stained-by-clothing-help/692757/6 "2014-07-10T15:38:54Z")
> [@bobkitty](#): > > I washed a new dress (in cold water, gentle cycle) and it bled all over the washer drum. I’ve run bleach, vinegar, and oxyclean through three times, with minimal results. I don’t know if it’s a set stain at this point that I shouldn’t worry about, but I do know that I’d rather not have all my (or the boyfriend’s) clothes end up dyed cranberry. > > Thoughts? I’d think if detergent, bleach, vinegar and oxyclean won’t get it out, it’s probably unlikely to come out on your clothes. Do you have anything light-colored and that you’re not concerned about getting stained (like old towels, drop cloths, etc… ) that you could wash and see if the color comes off, before washing anything you care about? Or, just wash dark clothes in it for a while, and see if the color of the drum changes before attempting anything light colored. ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-machine-drum-stained-by-clothing-help/692757/7 "2014-07-11T00:42:37Z")
Oooh, we have Mr Clean erasers! Now to talk the long-armed boyfriend into putting in a little elbow grease… 🙂 **Bump** , that’s a good point. I’ll toss in a dark load and see what happens.