Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- cleanit:reddit-non-reddit-links [2026/10/08 14:58] – greatwhitebuffalo41
+++ cleanit:reddit-non-reddit-links [2026/10/08 15:17] (current) – [- Scrud: The Dirtiest Word In Laundry] greatwhitebuffalo41
@@ Line 521: / Line 521: @@
-===== Scrud - The Dirtiest Word In Laundry =====
+===== - Scrud: The Dirtiest Word In Laundry =====
+**Original Post:** [[https://www.reddit.com/r/laundry/comments/1ob2zhh/scrud_the_dirtiest_word_in_laundry/|here by u/KismaiAesthetics]] **Editors Note:** There are a lot of images in this one, the images are very relevant. I'll include the image links and a description. Some are quite gross, click with caution if you have a weak stomach for slimy things.
+=== It’s Time To Talk About An Unpleasant Subject: Scrud ===
-It’s Time To Talk About An Unpleasant Subject: Scrud
 Scrud is a colloquial term for the residue that can build up in washing machines.  While HE machines are most susceptible to Scrud, any machine is capable of developing it.  It’s a combination of mineral, detergent, soap and  fabric softener residues, along with fugitive dye, lint and soils.  Scrud is not generally harmful to human health, but it’s disgusting AF and it can smell - both due to the contents and because Scrud supports bacterial growth including biofilms.  Scrud often has a waxy, flaky texture that “feathers” when compressed.  Other forms can include granules or sheets.
-Warning:  Sensitive Readers May Be Terminally Grossed Out:
+**Warning:  Sensitive Readers May Be Terminally Grossed Out:**
 Here are some images of Scrud posted here in r/Laundry by other Redditors.
-You may first notice Scrud on your textiles:
+**You may first notice Scrud on your textiles:**
-r/laundry - lighter colored scrub on colored knits
+  * **//<Image of a prurple fabric with yellow flakes>//** with text: lighter colored scrub on colored knits [[https://preview.redd.it/scrud-the-dirtiest-word-in-laundry-v0-2pdsa3cp65wf1.jpg?width=609&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=af93d8a5748df16212e702e0ad2df847b2489f1a|Reddit Image Link]]
-lighter colored scrub on colored knits
+  * **//<Image of a white fabric with black dots>//** with text: darker Scrud on white cotton blend [[https://preview.redd.it/scrud-the-dirtiest-word-in-laundry-v0-2x2f43cp65wf1.jpg?width=636&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=122b84029bcc983244e889d50eb33b3b0e8c6bf2|Reddit Image Link]]
-r/laundry - darker Scrud on white cotton blend
+  * **//<Image of a light fabric with black and brown dots>//** with text: dScrud on jersey knit [[https://preview.redd.it/scrud-the-dirtiest-word-in-laundry-v0-8bs394cp65wf1.jpg?width=603&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b5b75375846965201abfb6c840a0368310f4ce8|Reddit Image Link]]
-darker Scrud on white cotton blend
-r/laundry - Scrud on jersey knit
-Scrud on jersey knit
-Or  in the wash basket:
+**Or  in the wash basket:**
-r/laundry - Scrud in rinse water
+  * **//<Image of a paper towel with brown and black slime>//** with text: Scrud wipe down of drum [[https://preview.redd.it/scrud-the-dirtiest-word-in-laundry-v0-yze4zyio75wf1.jpg?width=1080&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=e3b6a99c0b4316a9f35185484cdae5cd9979c02e|Reddit Image Link]]
-Scrud in rinse water
+  * **//<Image of a top load washer full of water with floating brown slime>//** with text: Scrud in rinse water [[https://preview.redd.it/scrud-the-dirtiest-word-in-laundry-v0-siijsxio75wf1.jpg?width=1068&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2ee9b9b41147f7565d93a0a1dca65255507f3b98|Reddit Image Link]]
-r/laundry - Scrud wiped out of drum
+  * **//<Image of a chunks of black and brown hard scrud>//** with text: Particularly appaling scrud from abused machine [[https://preview.redd.it/scrud-the-dirtiest-word-in-laundry-v0-sv040zio75wf1.jpg?width=1080&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=0a3aaae9a5ec77b0aed4f1bb86d03108c92a72a4|Reddit Image Link]] (trigger warning)
-Scrud wiped out of drum
-r/laundry - Particularly appalling Scrud from abused machine.
-Particularly appalling Scrud from abused machine.
-Or around things like the tumble vanes:
-r/laundry - Scrud in tub
-Scrud in tub
-r/laundry - Scrud behind impeller.
-Scrud behind impeller.
-What Causes Scrud?
-The biggest contributor to Scrud is naturally-occurring minerals in tap water.   The higher the calcium and total alkalinity of wash water, the more Scrud forming potential.   When minerals start to build up, it’s usually not in isolation, though, especially in North American machines without boost heaters.  There’s usually a soap or detergent component.  Soaps (made from alkali-treated fats and oils) are especially notorious for causing Scrud, and soaps are now found in many mainstream washing products such as All Free & Clear as well as “green” products and boutique fragranced products.    Fabric softener can also contribute to Scrud formation.  As the Scrud forms, it traps dye, soils and lint in the layers, and any oils or fats can turn rancid.   Bacteria can feed on these trapped soils and oils.
+**Or around things like the tumble vanes:**
-What Can I Do To Prevent Scrud?
-    Wash on hot periodically.  Scrud is more soluble in high wash temperatures.
+  * **//<Image of inside of top load washer with black chunky slime>//** with text: Scrud in tub [[https://preview.redd.it/scrud-the-dirtiest-word-in-laundry-v0-4lcvyf4q75wf1.jpg?width=867&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=058d05e66de8ad0a6b3a06bb204256eded5c81b3|Reddit Image Link]] (trigger warning)
+  * **//<Image of the back side of a top load washer's impeller>//** with text: Scrud behind impeller [[https://preview.redd.it/scrud-the-dirtiest-word-in-laundry-v0-hpioil5q75wf1.jpg?width=1080&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=f29273ee31413aa35d125c5c58ae3798494a651f|Reddit Image Link]] (trigger warning)
-    Avoid soapy products and ingredients - anything with cocoate/oleate/palmate/sunflowerate ingredients = bad news if you have water prone to Scrud formation.  Same with liquid castile soaps.  This rule especially pertains to homemade “detergent” hacks that use hard soaps like Fels-Naptha, Zote or Ivory - these are fine as spot treaters, but don’t rinse away in automatic laundry machines.
-    Don’t use liquid fabric softener you can’t see through or scent beads that promise to soften
+=== What Causes Scrud? ===
-    Consider a citric acid rinse product as discussed at r/laundry/comments/1nhdr0r/ - these work to remove the minerals that are required for Scrud formation and help rinse away excess detergent.  They also make your laundry feel and smell great.
+The biggest contributor to Scrud is naturally-occurring minerals in tap water.   The higher the calcium and total alkalinity of wash water, the more Scrud forming potential.   When minerals start to build up, it’s usually not in isolation, though, especially in North American machines without boost heaters.  There’s usually a soap or detergent component.  Soaps (made from alkali-treated fats and oils) are especially notorious for causing Scrud, and soaps are now found in many mainstream washing products such as All Free & Clear as well as “green” products and boutique fragranced products.    Fabric softener can also contribute to Scrud formation.  As the Scrud forms, it traps dye, soils and lint in the layers, and any oils or fats can turn rancid.   Bacteria can feed on these trapped soils and oils.
-How to get rid of Scrud:
+=== What Can I Do To Prevent Scrud? ===
+  * Wash on hot periodically.  Scrud is more soluble in high wash temperatures.
+  * Avoid soapy products and ingredients - anything with cocoate/oleate/palmate/sunflowerate ingredients = bad news if you have water prone to Scrud formation.  Same with liquid castile soaps.  This rule especially pertains to homemade “detergent” hacks that use hard soaps like Fels-Naptha, Zote or Ivory - these are fine as spot treaters, but don’t rinse away in automatic laundry machines.
+  * Don’t use liquid fabric softener you can’t see through or scent beads that promise to soften
+  * Consider a citric acid rinse product as discussed at [[https://www.reddit.com/r/laundry/comments/1nhdr0r//|r/laundry/comments/1nhdr0r/]] - these work to remove the minerals that are required for Scrud formation and help rinse away excess detergent.  They also make your laundry feel and smell great.
+=== How to get rid of Scrud: ===
 Citric acid is the best way to clean Scrud from your machine, and various companies sell it to do just that, at a premium price.  One has the audacity to tell you not to use citric acid for machine cleaning and descaling, and then literally has a link on the same page to sell you their $15/dose descaling product.  Which is 85% citric acid.  The brass ones on some marketing departments.
@@ Line 579: / Line 574: @@
 Starting from a new or cleaned machine, you should run a citric acid cleaning cycle somewhere between every 30-75 cycles, depending on your water hardness (harder, towards the more frequent softer to the less-frequent)
-There's more information about sourcing citric acid and discussion of the various price and purity options at r/laundry/comments/1nhdr0r/
+There's more information about sourcing citric acid and discussion of the various price and purity options at r/laundry/comments/1nhdr0r/.
+**Editors Note:** See your washing machine manual for machine maintenance, how to clean your machine, if you have a filter that needs to be cleaned, and what type of product to use to best clean your machine.
+----