What is causing these brown lines on my clean laundry?

Oh No, this can't be true of a brand new washer!

Have your make and model numbers ready and call the manufacturer, they have a hot line and can give you advice on what to do and what the probable cause is. Contact them immediately, it has to be under warranty and you are not satisfied with the performance of their product.

I had a front load washer and this would happen from time to time and I would treat with a spot remover and rewash. I found that I had gunk built up in my washer tub and I cleaned it out with a Mr Clean Magic Eraser and it never happened again. Here is more info:

https://removeandreplace.com/2019/04/02/how-to-fix-a-washing-machine-making-your-clothes-dirty-stains-on-clothing/

Could your gasket be the culprit? I would suggest rubbing a moistened clean white cloth or magic eraser and see if its the source of the trouble. Also a call to the manufacturer might be helpful.

I have my second front load washer. I keep a container of Lysol disinfecting wipes and a microfiber cloth in a basket by my washer. At least once a week I wipe the gasket all the way around and between the gasket and the drum. Then I use the microfiber cloth to wipe it again. Rinse the microfiber cloth out before washing it. I usually use two wipes and that removes stuff I didn't even see. I let my washer air out between loads. No stains and no smells. This washer has a sanitary cycle, but, my old one didn't, and I had no problems with it, either. Take a good look at your drum, too, since things can catch on it. Good luck!

How to clean your front load washer.

When we think of washing machines, we think of clean, fresh-smelling clothes. Laundry is supposed to have a comforting aroma—one that’s so well-loved that there are even colognes designed to mimic its scent.

But what do you do when your front-load washer, well... stinks?

Before you resign yourself to a musty, mildewy, sour-scented existence, consider this: Your washer probably isn’t defective—it just needs some TLC. A few simple steps could help eliminate that stench forever.

That’s right, my friends: It’s all smooth, fresh-smelling sailing from here on out. Grab your hampers, keep your heads high, and scrub stinky clothes from your life for good.

Why your front-loader stinks

I took an in-depth look at the relative performance of front- and top-load washers, and found that front-loaders are superior in virtually every way. That came as no surprise, since front-loaders are designed not only to be more efficient, but also to be gentler on clothes while cleaning them better.

But it's that efficiency part that can cause some headaches when it comes to smell. See, high-efficiency front-loaders use a lot less water than their top-load counterparts, since they fill just the bottom of the wash tub with water. Since the drum rotates on a horizontal axis, your clothes tumble through the water, eliminating the need to fill the tub up all the way.

That's all fine and dandy if you use high-efficiency detergents, but when you douse your laundry with the wrong kinds of soap and softeners, the smaller amount of water can’t fully rinse them away. The drum ends up getting coated with a layer of soap scum, which is itself peppered with debris and dirt from your clothing. In the heat and damp of your washer, this scum makes a happy home for mildew, bacteria, and mold.

The stinky situation is compounded by the fact that front-load washers use a rubber door gasket to keep water from leaking out. Dirt, soap, and bits of fabric can get trapped under the gasket, creating yet another breeding ground for nasty smells.

How to get rid of that smell

1. Bring out the baking soda.

Your first inclination may be to reach for the bleach, but I prefer to use something a little gentler. I suggest mixing 1/4 cup of baking soda with an equivalent amount of water. Add this solution to your machine’s detergent container.

2. Bring out the vinegar.

Pour two cups of white vinegar into the drum, then run a normal cycle at high heat—without any clothes, of course.

The baking soda and vinegar should break up any residue stuck to your drum and kill any mold that might be present. They’ll also help remove any foul odors.

3. Scrub away any remaining grime.

If stubborn spots remain, attack them with the rough side of a kitchen sponge and a mixture of one part white vinegar, one part water. Ta-dah, good as new!

You can repeat this cleaning method once a month for maintenance if you’d like, or try some other odor prevention techniques.

How to keep your front-loader fresh

Your washer is finally free of nasty odors, and you want to keep it that way. But how?

1. Break up with your old detergent.

If you own a front-loader, you should always use detergents made for high-efficiency machines. Normal detergents simply produce more suds than your front-loader can handle; less suds means less scum for stinky lifeforms to cling to. Liquid fabric softener is also off-limits for front-loading washing machines, so do yourself a favor and ditch it.

2. Keep the drum dry

Once you’ve got the soap situation under control, it’s time to make sure the drum doesn’t stay damp for long periods of time. Always remove your laundry promptly after the cycle ends, and be sure to leave the door open when it’s not in use, so the moisture can escape.

You can also run a fan in the room where your washer lives to improve airflow, and consider investing in a dehumidifier. Remember: You don't want bacteria or mold to feel at home here, and nothing invites bad smells quite like wet, stagnant heat.

3. Clean the gasket.

Even with the correct detergent and anti-humidity efforts, there's no guarantee your washer drum won't develop some mold-friendly buildup. The rubber seal around the doors is especially problematic, so you should regularly remove any debris you see trapped in the gasket and wipe it down with a cleaning solution made of one part white vinegar and one part water.

Finally, be sure to dispose of any lint that may have accumulated in your machine’s drain trap filter. Once a week should do the trick.

Hi Jessica,

Has this happened to other items also or just the sheets?

Is this happening to laundry that has been in the dryer also, or just the washer?

I am wondering if the brown is coming from a little piece of something that might have been in a pocket, and is now lodged somewhere inside the dryer?

Some dumbass repairman put 3 in 1 oil or grease in the Spindle. You need to run a few empty loads until you get Clean Water in your Washer.

Since this is a front loader washer, I think there is no Spindle. I think William has the right idea. I have a front loader and am very faithful is using HE detergent and softener. Also wipe out the gasket each time I am done washing and keep the door open as well as the tray where the softener/detergent goes. So far, so good. This is the second front loader I have had and hope to not go back to a top loader. From the picture of your new sheets, I am guessing there is mold somewhere in your machine. If you treat it with spot remover, does it come out?