How to Remove Coloring Washed in to Clothes

 

Seeing dye transferred from one item of clothing to another can send you into a panic. You can remove coloring that has washed on to clothing in a few easy steps. Make sure you do not put the clothing into the dryer as this will make the dye transfer permanent. You should also read all clothing labels before deciding which method is best to remove the coloring from your clothes.

 

 

 

Method 1

Safely Removing Color Transfers

1. 
   1
   Do not place the clothing in the dryer. It is important that you

   do not put clothing onto which color has transferred into the dryer.

   Doing so will set the transferred dye into the fabric. This will create a permanent transfer of color between the items, effectively ruining your clothing.^[1]
2. 
   2
   Separate the clothing. Once you realize that dye from one piece of clothing has transferred on to your white clothing, separate the colored piece of clothing from the white clothing. This will prevent additional dye from transferring on to your white clothes.
3. 
   3
   Read the clothing labels. Before you attempt to remove dye that has transferred on to your clothing, you will need to

   carefully read the clothing labels.

   The labels will tell you whether it is safe to use products like bleach, and what temperatures are safe for washing the fabric.

Method 2

Removing Dye from White Clothing

1. 
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   Soak white clothing in bleach or vinegar. Place the whites in a large sink or bathtub.

   Add 1 cup (235 mL) of white vinegar.

   If the clothing labels state bleach is okay, you can substitute the vinegar with ¼ cup (60 mL) of non-chlorine bleach. Add one gallon (3.8 liters) of cool water. Soak for 30 minutes.^[2]
2. 
   2
   Rinse and launder. After you have soaked the white clothing for 30 minutes, rinse with cool water. Then place the laundry in the washing machine. Add detergent and wash with cool water. Air dry the clothing.^[3]
3. 
   3
   Try a color remover. If soaking and washing the white clothing in vinegar or bleach does not remove the dye, you can try a color remover like Rit Color Remover or Carbona Color Remover. Mix the product with water according to package directions, and then soak, rinse, and launder the clothing.^[4]

   • You should only use color remover on all-white clothing as this harsh product will strip all dyes from the fabric.

Method 3

Removing Dye from Colored Clothing

1. 
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   Try rewashing with detergent. If dye has transferred from one colored item to another, you may be able to easily remove by simply rewashing the clothing with laundry detergent. Place the items with dye transfer into the washing machine. Add detergent and wash according to clothing label.^[5]
2. 
   2
   Soak in color safe bleach. If rewashing the colored fabrics does not remove the transferred dye, you can try soaking the items in color safe bleach. First test an inconspicuous patch of the fabric for colorfastness. Then add color safe bleach to water according to package directions. Soak for at least eight hours, rinse, launder, and air dry.^[6]

   How to Make Homemade Color Safe Bleach
   Hydrogen peroxide: Add 1  c (240 mL) of hydrogen peroxide to a clean half-gallon jug.
   Add water: Fill up the rest of the jug with water.
   Mix in essential oils to scent: If you’d like your color-safe bleach to smell good, mix in your favorite essential oil, like lavender or peppermint.^[7]

3. 
   3
   Try a color catcher. A color catcher is a piece of fabric that has been specially formulated to catch bleeding dye in the washing machine. Place the color catcher in the washing machine and then wash the clothes according to the instructions on the package.^[8]

   • You can buy color catchers at your local grocery store or online.

Method 4

Preventing Dye Transfers

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   Read your clothing labels. One of the easiest ways to prevent coloring from one piece of clothing transferring to another is by reading the labels on your clothing. Many items, like dark denim, will include tags that state the dye might transfer. These tags will also instruct you to wash the items separately.^[9]

   Choosing Clothes that Won’t Bleed Color
   Avoid: Labels that say “Color Rubs Off,” “Do Not Use Detergent,” “Wash Before Wear,” “Turn Inside Out to Launder,” “Use Cold Water,” or “Color May Wash Down.” This tells you that the dyes used in the clothing item are unstable and will likely bleed in the wash.
   Choose: Clothes made from synthetic fibers, like nylon or polyester. These fibers tend to retain color better than natural materials, like wool or cotton.^[10]

2. 
   2
   Sort your clothing. You can prevent color transfer between clothing items by sorting and washing the items accordingly. For example, you should sort white clothing, dark or black clothing, and brightly colored clothing into separate piles. You should then wash each pile of laundry separately to prevent color transfer.^[11]
3. 
   3
   Wash problematic items separately. There are certain items of clothing that can be particularly problematic and result in the unwanted transfer of color. You should

   wash these items by themselves

   and according to the directions on the clothing label. For example, it is a good idea to was a new pair of dark denim jeans or a red cotton shirt by themselves.
4. 
   4
   Don’t allow wet clothes to sit. Forgetting to remove your wet clothes from the washing machine can result in dye transferring from one item to another. To prevent this from happening, always remove your clothes when the washing machine’s cycle ends. Do not allow them to sit unattended in a laundry basket while wet.^[12]

   Tips to Help You Remember Your Laundry
   Set a timer: As soon as you throw in a load, set a timer on your phone or kitchen timer that will go off when your laundry is finished.
   Install a sensor: There are several smart home laundry sensors on the market that you can purchase. These gadgets are configured to send users a notification to their smartphones when their laundry is ready.^[13]