What causes some items of clothing or towels to develop black spots?

[raccoon]

What causes some items of clothing or towels to develop black spots?

This is happening to some of my clothes and a dish towel. After repeated washings, they develop black marks on them. What causes this?

[Freddie]

1. Mildew

Or someone left a pen in their pocket and and washed a load, or (worse) the pen then went into the dryer. Don't ask me why I know this.

[mr_lebowski]

2. Random thought ... can also be bed bugs ... though you'd likely see the spots before laundering ...

If you see tiny pinpoint black spots (you don't describe size/shape) it's a possibility.

[Raven123]

3. I've had this problem as well, but not at the same time.

I've had dark, don't know if they are black spots on clothing. I read that this has sero thing to do with laundry detergent. I can't remember the specifics, it you might look it up online. I think I had to rub some detergent into the stain and then re wash the items. It worked for me.

Regarding the towels, I read this is more likely with liquid bathing soaps. Not so much with dish detergents. I don't know if that is true, but I make a habit of washing all towels/wash clothes used for bathing within 24 hours of use and have no problems.

Are you using a new detergent? New machine? Just some things to consider.

[No Vested Interest]

4. Could it be that the transmission on your washing machine is leaking oil?

I've had that problem in the past, and it meant that my washing machine was going bad.
Oil does not mix with water, thus ends up on your laundry.
I was told that the repair was costly and that a new machine would be money better spent.
Hope for your sake that the problem is one of the simpler answers offered above.

[flying_wahini]

5. They need to be bone dry when you fold them up and put away.

No moisture at all. If it is mildew you'll never be able to remove the black spots.

Try washing them with some peroxide powder.