Greasy-looking spots that show up only on silky fabrics almost always come from something being deposited on the clothes, not from a broken part. Polyester, satin and other slick synthetics attract oily residue and show it as dark, wet-looking blotches, while cotton hides the same residue. Your Kenmore 110.20927790 is a Whirlpool-built top-load washer, and this is a common complaint on it.
The usual causes, most likely first
- Fabric softener. Liquid softener that hits fabric before it is diluted leaves greasy spots, especially on synthetics. If you use softener, skip it on one silky load and see if the spots stop. Never pour it directly on the clothes.
- Dryer sheets. On polyester, a dryer sheet can melt onto a hot spot of fabric and leave a greasy mark. Dry silky items without a sheet, or on low heat.
- Residue inside the washer. Undissolved detergent and softener build up as a gray, waxy scum under the agitator and on the outside of the basket. Bits of it break loose and stick to slick fabrics. Run an empty cycle on the hottest setting with a washer cleaner or 2 cups of white vinegar, and use less detergent (HE detergent, measured to the first line of the cap).
- Too much detergent in cold water. Powder or pods may not fully dissolve in a cold wash, and the residue lands on the smoothest fabric in the load. Dissolve powder first, or wash silky items in warm water if the label allows.
When it could be the washer itself
If the spots are dark brown or black, smell like oil and show up on cotton too, the transmission or tub seal may be leaking oil into the tub. Look under the agitator and on the floor under the washer for oily drips. At 12+ years old, that repair usually costs more than the washer is worth.
To remove the spots you have
Rub a drop of plain dish soap into each spot, let it sit for 10 minutes, then rewash in the warmest water the label allows. Air-dry and check before using the dryer, since heat can set them.