New washing machine leaving black marks on bed linen

This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.

New Zanussi washing machine leaving black marks on white bed linen

The problem

A 4-month-old washing machine began leaving black marks on white bed linen. An empty hot wash and a 60°C cycle with Hotpoint cleaning detergent appeared to stop the issue temporarily, and subsequent white clothes and coloured washes were unaffected, but the marks returned a week later on another white bedding load.

Likely cause

The accepted reply says the most likely source of marks is contamination in the small gap between the revolving drum and the door seal, such as grease, grime or limescale. It also notes that laundry can catch in this gap and be dragged around, picking up marks. No fault was confirmed.

What fixed it

Check by peeling back the door seal and inspecting the gap between the drum and seal for any build-up of grease, grime or limescale. If the appliance is a washer dryer, also check the top of the door seal where the large flange is located. The exact repair was not confirmed in the discussion.

Checks to try

• Ran the machine on the hottest wash empty
• Used Hotpoint cleaning detergent and ran a 60°C wash
• Observed no marks on a later white clothes wash
• Observed no marks on a colour wash
• Marks returned on another white bed linen wash
• Advised to inspect behind the door seal for build-up
• Advised to check the gap between drum and door seal
• If washer dryer, advised to check the top of the door seal flange

Parts or tools mentioned

• Hotpoint cleaning detergent
• door seal