I noticed that after doing a load of laundry that the clothes were stained with greyish blotches. Had the machine thoroughly checked and nothing wrong with it (only 5 years old). Repairman didn't even know what the stains were or where they came from. Did a second test by putting a towel in a pot of water for a few hours and the towel came out stained. Is there something wrong with my water. I have soft water. This only started to happen a month ago and have been in the house for 40 years. Have not changed detergents or done anything differently from what I have been doing.

City or well water? Water softeners only remove calcium and magnesium. You may have iron oxide or other metallic elements in the water.

That happens to me when I do a load after greasy work clothes, but then you wouldn't be getting that from a sink as well if it was greasy work clothes.

It's city water, which is already soft water. Is there any way to get rid of the elements in the water? Is it something to do with the pipes maybe going bad? Obviously something just recently happened because I never had this problem before.

If neighbors aren't having problems then it probably is your pipes. Running your washing machine empty with baking soda and bleach or vinegar will only clean the machine out, but that doesn't seem to be your problem.

Thanks. I appreciate your input. I was thinking about asking the neighbors.