Dark marks or streaks appearing on clothes from the dryer

Symptoms

• Gray or black streaks on light-colored fabric
• Marks appear in a repeating pattern consistent with drum rotation
• Grease-like or oily residue visible on marked areas
• New marks appearing on multiple different loads

Likely causes

• CommonGrease or oil residue on a drum support part contacting clothesLubricant from a roller or glide can transfer onto the drum interior and then onto fabric.
• CommonWorn or oxidized drum coatingOlder painted drums can develop surface degradation that rubs off onto clothing.
• PossibleNew or unwashed dark-colored item bleeding dye onto other clothesDye transfer is more of a washing issue but can appear as marks noticed after drying.
• PossibleForeign object like a crayon or pen melting inside the drumA forgotten item left in a pocket can melt and streak across multiple items.
• Less commonRust forming inside the drum from prolonged moisture exposureRust spots can leave dark marks and eventually cause fabric damage too.

What to do

1. Check pockets thoroughly before drying to rule out melted crayons, pens, or lip balm.
2. Inspect the inside of the drum with the dryer unplugged for any oily residue, rust, or discoloration.
3. Wipe down the drum interior with a cloth dampened with mild soapy water, then dry thoroughly before running another load.
4. For grease marks tied to a specific spot, check nearby support rollers or glides for lubricant leakage.
5. Wash marked clothing separately with a stain treatment before drying again to see if the streaks are removable.
6. Sand and repaint small rust spots if identified as the cause, or have the drum serviced if damage is significant.
7. Have a technician inspect and address the drum surface if the source of residue isn't obvious or accessible.

Tools and parts

• Cloth
• Mild soap

When to call a pro

If you can't identify or clean the source of the marks yourself, have an appliance technician inspect the drum interior and support parts.

Safety