Last Updated on 9 months by Susan Mayrich

Ever wonder how to remove colour run from white clothes? Maybe you were dyeing them or ran out of bleach for the laundry. Either way, it’s happened to many people and most likely will again.
Many people have experienced a color run. Whether it’s the result of a child spilling paint or a cheeky dye job has gone wrong, there are many ways to get rid of those pesky stains! There is no need to throw out your white clothes just yet.
Here are some methods that I’ve found work well for getting rid of that pesky color run stains on your white clothes.
How To Colour Run Occurs On Clothes?
A color run is when there are stains on clothing that have resulted from colored items or substances (paint, food dye, etc.) coming into contact with the fabric. A color run can also happen when bleach has not been entirely removed from fibers before they come into contact with different colors of dyed fabrics.
These stains turn the white items into a different color, and white clothes cannot be worn until they can be appropriately laundered or cleaned. I’m going to show you three easy ways that I know how to remove colour run from white clothes:
Ways To Remove Colour Run From White Clothes
Here are the ways to remove the color run from your white clothes:
#1. Using vinegar
Vinegar is excellent for removing stains on clothes.
#1. The best way to do this is to soak the stained clothing in a distilled vinegar cup.
#2. On the garment care label, I mentioned that you could add ¼ cup (60 mL) of non-chlorine bleach.
#3. Leave them there for about 30 minutes.
#4. After soaking the white clothing for 30 minutes, rinse it with cool water.
#5. Then put the laundry in the washer with cold water and detergent.
#6. Air-dry the clothing.
#2. Using nail polish remover
Dab a cotton ball in acetone nail polish remover and apply it to the stain.
Repeat if necessary, but be sure to wash the garment as soon as possible after applying Acetone to avoid damage to the fabric.
#3. Using color remover
If the white clothing isn’t coming out of the dye in vinegar or bleach, you can try a color remover like Rit Color Remover or Carbona Color Remover. After mixing the product with water as directed on the package, soak, rinse, and dry the garment. Use color remover only on all-white clothing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the answers to your questions:
How do I get my white clothes white again after a color run?
Gently rub the area with a soft cloth dampened in distilled white vinegar. Please test a small quantity of the clothing first to ensure the vinegar will not damage it. Then wash as usual.
How do you get a color transfer out of clothes?
Powdered laundry detergent will also do the trick. Pour a liberal amount on the stain thoroughly, rub, and launder in hot water. This method is perfect for older stains that have crept into your clothes.
Another way to remove it is with one of the three methods below:
- Using nail polish remover
- Mixing some color remover with water
Add powdered laundry detergent to the stain on your clothes and keep rubbing until the color transfers are removed – launder them in hot water.
How to remove the color runoff from clothes?
Now that you know how to get rid of color run-on white clothes, it’s time for the most crucial part: preventing these stains in the future.
Here are some tips for removing color run from clothing to avoid this disaster in the future!
- Always read garment labels. Some fabrics cannot be bleached or laundered with additives, so it’s essential to read the label before washing your clothes!
- Ensure you have enough bleach when using bleach as a stain remover for clothing. If the white clothes are already stained bright yellow from dye transfer due to insufficient amounts of bleach in the wash water, you won’t be able to get the stains out by using even more bleach.
- Always check clothing for colorfastness before bleaching or laundering them.
- If items list “dry clean only,” do not attempt to launder these clothes at home. Dry cleaning can get very expensive!
- Wash your white clothes in cold water and dry the clothes in a low-temperature setting. This will help prevent color runs from happening.
- When laundering colored items or clothing that lists “dry clean only, do not use chlorine bleach.
Can baking soda remove the color run?
Baking soda is also a good option for removing color runs and stains. First, you want to dampen the stained area with some club soda and rub it in. This will help break up the dye molecules and dissolve them into the fabric strands. The baking soda should then be rinsed away with water if it’s mixed in.
Can vinegar remove color bleed?
Vinegar can dissolve dye molecules and break them up into fabric strands. Therefore, you should rinse away the vinegar if it comes into contact. White vinegar is one of many solutions that can help you get your white clothes white again after a color run.
What is the best color run remover?
You can try one of these three methods: using a nail polish remover, mixing in the color remover with water, or adding powdered laundry detergent to the stain and letting it sit until the color transfers are removed.
Does vanish get rid of color run?
Vanish is one of the few products that work to get rid of color run from clothes.
How to remove color transfer from clothes?
You can try one of these three methods: using a nail polish remover, mixing in the color remover with water, or adding powdered laundry detergent to the stain and letting it sit until the color transfers are removed. Click on this link to know how to fix dye transfer.
Related:
How To Get Dye Out Of Clothes With Vinegar
It’s A Wrap!
Now, you’ve known how to remove colour run from white clothes. There are only three ways; we know that you can do these things yourself. Enjoy, dear friends!