Last Updated on 9 months by Susan Mayrich
Do you want to know how to remove color bleeding from colored clothes? You put your favorite garment in the wash, and when you pull it out, there are all these unexplained stains. The color has bled onto other parts of your clothes! This can be frustrating and expensive if not dealt with properly.
In today’s blog post, we discuss removing color bleeding from clothes so that your wardrobe is always looking fresh. One of the most effective methods for removing color stains is to use white vinegar.
Fill up a sink with water and add 1 cup of white vinegar. Place your stained clothing into this solution and wait until they are fully submerged before you begin scrubbing at them with dish soap or baking soda. Scrub away any tough stains while the fabric is wet–this will make it easier for all of the dirt particles to come off without leaving behind any residue on your garment.
What Causes Color Bleeding?
There are several possible causes of color bleeding:
Certain types of clothing, such as those containing a dye that is highly soluble in water, have been known to have this problem. The garment can also have been washed with other fabrics dyed with the same color, causing the original colors to run together.
Another potential cause is exposure to heat or chemicals, weakening the fibers and making it easier for them to release their dye even if they’re not agitated. When the clothes are agitated during washing, these weakened fibers will break open and release more dye–usually going onto clothes close by in the washload.
Ways To Remove Color Bleeding From Colored Clothes
It is possible to get off dye transfers on clothes when they are still wet. However, it can be hard when the color bleeds once they set in, so act fast. I’m going to show you easy ways that I know how to remove color bleeding from colored clothes.
#1. Pretreat color bleeding stains with a liquid laundry detergent
Most of the time, dried-up color bleed stains are impossible to remove. And if you don’t pretreat them first with a cleaning agent before washing clothes, then removing any remaining stains may be near impossible due to their delicate nature and stubbornness for drying up again quickly even after being washed successfully!
Follow these methods to pretreat color bleed stains before they become permanent marks.
- Sort the clothes according to their color (white and colored)
- In a bucket with a gallon of warm water, combine two tablespoons of heavy-duty liquid detergent.
- Let the color bled garment soak for about 20 – 30 minutes
- After soaking, rinse with cold water to remove the remaining residue.
- When the affected area lightens, wash it as usual with your preferred laundry detergent.
- If the stains are still visible, repeat the entire process before hanging to dry.
Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels
#2. Remove dye transfer from colored clothes with vinegar
Vinegar can be an effective way to remove color-bleeding stains from clothes.
- To do this, mix a cup of white vinegar with a gallon of water.
- Soak the stained garment in the mixture of water for 30 minutes.
- If the color has faded, rinse well and air dry.
- Repeat the process if there is a remaining residue.
#3. Removing color bleeding with hydrogen peroxide
Another way to remove color-bleeding stains is with hydrogen peroxide. It is an excellent alternative to getting dye transfer stains out of colored clothes.Â
Hydrogen peroxide will break down the dye molecules faster and does not react badly with most fabrics–unlike bleach which can damage clothes.
- Mix an equal amount of water and hydrogen peroxide.
- Soak the affected garment for about 30 minutes until the color stains fade.
- Rinse and wash the garment.
- Let it dry.
#4. Using oxygen bleach to remove color bleed
Washing stained items with oxygenated bleach is a safe approach to avoid discoloration from dye transfer. For white and colored garments, you can utilize oxygen-based bleach.
Before using bleach, check the instructions on your clothing’s care labels first.
- To remove dye stains, follow these instructions: Submerge the stained item in a solution of 1 cup oxygen-based bleach to one-gallon water.
- Allow it to soak for 30 minutes before rinsing it thoroughly.
- Rinse the clothes with cold water.
- In a regular cycle, wash the clothes in the machine.
Tips To Avoid Color Bleeding In Clothes
Keep the garments segregated according to their colors, mainly white or colored. This will help minimize the risks of color bleeding.
Use cold water when soaking stained clothes for best results. Cold water is ideal for washing because it keeps colors from bleeding and fading.
Hand washes new clothes to observe for color bleeding because they are more likely to bleed since the dye isn’t always set.
Pay close attention to the care instructions on your clothing for washing directions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the answers to your questions:
Can vinegar remove color bleed?
Yes, vinegar can is an effective way to remove color bleed from clothes. However, it may not work if the color bleeds as dried.
Can baking soda remove color bleed?
Baking soda can remove color bleed. However, it is not an effective method of removing color bleed.
What to do when wash colors bleed?
When color bleed occurs, dissolve the oxygen bleach in hot water and soak the affected garment for about 30 minutes.
Can you fix clothes that bled?
Yes, you can fix clothes that bled; however, you cannot fix some dyes from bleeding if it is dry. Before attempting any of these remedies on a garment, read the care label on the clothing first.
Does OxiClean get rid of color bleeding?
Yes, OxiClean is one of the best removers for removing color-bleeding stains.
What colors bleed in the wash?
Red, black, purple, and navy blue are the colors prone to color transfers when in the wash. As a result, these colors can create unwanted or unplanned results in other clothes during the wash cycle.
Can reds be washed with darks?
You should wash reds separately with darks. Darker dyes can ruin red clothes.
What can I wash with reds?
You can wash reds with other colors, oranges, pinks, and purples with fiery reds and bright oranges mesh together. But if the red fabric contains dark dyes, it may discolor it. So it’s best to wash them separately.
What colors are ok to wash together?
Reds, hot pink, bright oranges, and deep purples are colors that are ok to wash together.
Can I wash whites and reds together?
No, it is not a good idea to wash whites and reds together. Instead, to prevent color bleeding, you should wash reds separately.
Can you wash reds and greens together?
Yes, Reds and greens are colors that you can wash together. Other colors include purples, reds, oranges, and bright yellows.
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It’s A Wrap
Now, you’ve known how to remove color bleeding from colored clothes. It is just easy as 1-2-3-4 ways! Hopefully, you’ve learned a lot from this article! It may also be a good idea to read about the top 10 reasons to use vinegar in laundry.
