# Why Are My Shirts Getting Ruined? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 16, 2023, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920 "2023-02-16T22:02:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/21 "2023-02-17T18:21:21Z")
> [@Dorjan](#): > > If it’s just shirts, maybe you haven’t been as careful with cooking and eating lately than you thought you were? I mean, I’m not the tidiest eater. I’m a bit of klutz in general, always dropping things and such. But I don’t eat a lot of stuff that is greasy. I cook with a lot of olive oil? I’m not sure how to fix this if my eating is in fact the problem. But I always cook with an apron. Now I will have to inspect my shirts (so far it’s always shirts) to see if the spots are all on the front and not the back. Regardless I am hoping a better detergent really takes care of the problem! ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/22 "2023-02-17T18:42:19Z")
And you have a baby, they have the grabbiest sometimes grubbiest little hands pawing at you. Check your husbands shirts too. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/23 "2023-02-17T22:27:16Z")
I add my suspicion to the washing machine. My sister had similar issues that went away when she changed laundromats. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/24 "2023-02-18T12:12:00Z")
I regularly end up with mysterious spots on my shirts - always on the front - that necessitate a dose of stain remover and a return trip to the washing machine. I rarely am conscious of dropping food on my chest while cooking or eating, but I suspect that if I were to set up a camera and reviewed the video, I would be convicted of spillage. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/25 "2023-02-18T13:46:37Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I’m honestly not sure about the water source > [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I’m allergic to most laundry detergents If the sales guy I dealt with for my water softener can be believed - and he definitely has his favored angle on the discussion - soft water will rinse the detergent out much better than hard water. If you’re having a reaction to the detergent, it’s likely that you have hard water. ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/26 "2023-02-18T21:56:39Z")
If it is grease, rub some Dawn dish soap (the original blue kind) and let sit for a bit before washing. I’ve even had luck with it getting out grease stains (or other types of stains) that had already been through the dryer. I am also super sensitive to laundry detergents/added scents, and use Tide Free and Gentle and it works great. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/27 "2023-02-19T00:07:13Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I’ll try. I’m allergic to most laundry detergents, which is why I switched. I used to use Gain but they changed up the formula. Steer clear of Tide. It gives me a rash. Also, the blue color once spotted an expensive rayon dress that I had on a gentle cycle. I was trying to save money by not going to the dry cleaners. I’ve been pretty happy with the Seventh Generation brand, but have recently been using the much cheaper All Free & Clear. Should I run into money, I will switch back to the Seventh Generation brand. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2023, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/28 "2023-03-07T00:35:34Z")
Update: I have determined that the problem is me and my inability to consume food without dropping some on my shirt. Tide was, perhaps predictably, a disaster. It got the stains out but was intolerable to wear, so I had to rewash all my clothes several times. Then I tried Persil Sensitive. Winner! A good 20 minute soak got the stains out and I absolutely love how clean my clothes are now. I am fan for life. Next step is looking into the washer filter. Thanks for your guidance. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2023, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/29 "2023-03-07T00:45:38Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I have determined that the problem is me and my inability to consume food without dropping some on my shirt. Same. I have a built in shelf. I keep a bottle of Dawn in my bathroom to dab on grease spots before I throw the shirt into the laundry basket. It works a treat. I’m allergic to Tide (and they once stained an expensive dress), so I use All Free & Clear or Seventh Generation. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2023, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/30 "2023-03-07T00:47:11Z")
I get these sort of spots too. They are never large , they are just a little darker and they are always on shirts - never pants or shorts and always on the front specifically in the chest area. I have come to the conclusion that it’s food - maybe it’s a drop of salad dressing, maybe it’s a drop of coffee with milk. Whatever it is, it’s a drop, not a whole forkful of salad. They might be there before washing but either the washing or the drying brings them out. Sometimes stain treatment and another wash works. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2023, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/31 "2023-03-07T05:03:25Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Could you stand a trial of Persil Sensitive? That is at the upper range of ratings. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I recently got Persil detergent. > It’s expensive, it smells really loud. But it doesn’t leave soap residue so I’ve found it doesn’t itch me. > And it gets latent stains out for the most part. I was really impressed with it. Glad the Persil is working for you. Is there a Brownie Merit Badge in it for da Beck and me? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2023, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/32 "2023-03-07T05:19:28Z")
You could get started here. > **[Amazon.com: Winks For Days Adult Merit Badge Embroidered Iron-On Patches...](https://www.amazon.com/Winks-Days-Adulting-Embroidered-Responsibilities/dp/B088YMYXDF)** > > Buy Winks For Days Adult Merit Badge Embroidered Iron-On Patches (Responsibilities - Set 3) - Includes Three (3) 2" Patches: Did Laundry, Cooked at Home, and Got Oil Changed: Applique Patches - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible... ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2023, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/33 "2023-03-07T05:24:35Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > You could get started here. I’ma gonna need a bigger badge sash… ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2023, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920/34 "2023-03-07T14:29:18Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Glad the Persil is working for you. Is there a Brownie Merit Badge in it for da Beck and me? You knew just the thing, and for that I am grateful. It’s nice to solve stupid little irritating problems, and honestly I’m tired of buying new clothes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-shirts-getting-ruined/979920.md?page=1)