Do you ever feel excited to wear your favourite shirt or dress, only to find brown marks on it after taking it out of the dryer?
This frustrating experience is not uncommon, and can be caused by a number of factors related to your tumble dryer.
Not only do these marks ruin the appearance of your clothes, but they can also be difficult to remove.
Fortunately, with a bit of knowledge and effort, you can prevent brown marks from occurring and keep your clothes looking their best.
In this article, we’ll explore the common causes of brown marks on clothes and provide you with effective solutions to tackle this problem.
So, if you’re tired of dealing with brown marks on your clothes, read on to find out how to solve this frustrating issue once and for all!
Causes of Brown Marks on Clothes
There are several reasons why your tumble dryer might be leaving brown marks on your clothes. Here are some of the most common causes:
Cause 1: Excessive heat
If your dryer is set to high heat, it can scorch your clothes and leave brown marks. This is more likely to happen if the clothes are in contact with the sides or back of the dryer drum.
Lowering the heat settings on your dryer can help prevent scorching and brown marks on your clothes.
Make sure to check the care label on your clothes to ensure you’re using the appropriate heat setting.
Cause 2: Overloading the dryer
Stuffing too many clothes into the dryer can prevent proper airflow, which can cause clothes to rub against each other and the drum. This friction can lead to brown marks on your clothes.
Avoid putting too much clothes in your dryer to help prevent leaving brown marks on your clothes.
Clothes need room to move around to prevent friction and brown marks. Instead, try drying smaller loads to allow for proper airflow.
Cause 3: Dirty or damaged dryer drum
If the dryer drum is dirty or has rough spots, it can damage your clothes during the drying cycle. Dirt and grime can also transfer onto your clothes, leaving brown marks.
Clean the dryer drum regularly to rid it of any dirt or grime. It’s important to keep your dryer drum clean to prevent dirt from transferring onto your clothes.
You can use a damp cloth or mild cleaning solution to wipe down the inside of the drum. Make sure to also check for any rough spots or damage on the drum and have it repaired if necessary.
Cause 4: Clogged dryer vent
A clogged dryer vent can restrict airflow and cause your dryer to overheat. This can scorch your clothes and leave brown marks.
Your dryer can also overheat from a blocked dryer vent, which can scorch your clothes and leave brown marks.
Make sure to clean your dryer vent regularly to prevent this issue. You can use a vacuum or special brush to remove any lint or debris.
Cause 5: Rust
If your dryer is old or damaged, rust can form and transfer onto your clothes, causing brown marks.
To prevent this, make sure to inspect your dryer regularly for any signs of rust, and have them repaired or replaced as necessary.
You can also try using a rust remover on your clothes before washing to remove any existing stains.
Cause 6: Drying light and dark clothes together
Mixing light and dark clothes in the dryer can also cause brown marks on your clothes.
When light and dark clothes are dried together, the darker clothes can transfer dye onto the lighter clothes, leaving unappealing brown marks.
To prevent this, separate your light and dark clothes before putting them in the dryer.
If you do end up with brown marks on your clothes from drying light and dark clothes together, don’t worry.
You can still try pre-treating the affected areas with a stain remover or washing with a colour-safe bleach to help remove the stains.
However, it’s always best to prevent the problem in the first place by separating your light and dark clothes.
In addition to preventing brown marks, separating your light and dark clothes can also help prevent fading and other damage to your clothes.
By taking the time to sort your laundry before putting it in the dryer, you can keep your clothes looking their best and avoid any unsightly brown marks.
Cause 7: Leaving your clothes in the dryer
Leaving clothes in the dryer for too long can also cause brown marks on your clothes.
When clothes are left in the dryer after they’re dry, heat can build up and scorch the fabric, leaving brown marks or burn marks on your clothes.
To prevent this, remove your clothes from the dryer as soon as they’re dry.
If you do end up with brown marks on your clothes from leaving them in the dryer for too long, it can be difficult to remove the stains.
In some cases, the marks may be permanent and the clothes may need to be replaced.
To avoid this situation, always set a timer or reminder to check your dryer and remove your clothes promptly once they’re dry.
By following these simple solutions and tips, you can prevent brown marks on your clothes and keep them looking their best.
How to Get Rid of Brown Marks on Clothes
If you’ve already noticed brown marks on your clothes, don’t worry – there are steps you can take to remove them:
1. Pre-treat the stained areas
Before washing the stained clothes, it’s important to pre-treat the affected areas.
You can use a pre-wash stain remover, a solution of water and vinegar, or a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water to treat the stains.
Apply the solution to the affected areas and leave it for 10-15 minutes before washing.
2. Wash the stained clothes with a stain remover
After pre-treating the stained areas, wash the clothes with a stain remover. Make sure to follow the instructions on the stain remover and use the appropriate heat setting for your clothes.
3. Repeat the washing process
If the brown marks are still visible after the first wash, repeat the washing process with a stain remover.
You can also try soaking the clothes in a solution of warm water and stain remover for a few hours before washing.
4. Air-dry clothes instead of using a dryer
After washing, air-dry the clothes instead of using a dryer. This will help prevent any remaining brown marks from becoming permanent.
If you must use a dryer, make sure to use a lower heat setting and remove the clothes as soon as they’re dry.
It’s important to note that some brown marks may be permanent, especially if they’ve been left untreated for a long time or if the clothes have been severely scorched.
However, by following these steps, you can greatly improve the appearance of brown marks on your clothes.
Conclusion
Brown marks on clothes can be frustrating and ugly, but fortunately, there are simple solutions to prevent them from occurring in the first place.
By reducing heat settings, avoiding overloading the dryer, and keeping the dryer drum and vent clean, you can prevent brown marks on your clothes.
Additionally, pre-treating and washing stained clothes with a stain remover can help remove brown marks that have already formed.
Remember to always check the care label on your clothes and use the appropriate heat setting.
Don’t overload the dryer and keep the drum and vent clean to prevent brown marks.
And if brown marks do appear, don’t panic – pre-treat and wash with a stain remover, and air-dry the clothes if possible.
By following these simple steps, you can keep your clothes looking clean and fresh, and ensure that your tumble dryer doesn’t leave any unsightly brown marks.

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