Dyes canbleed in the wash, when it rains, or with sweat.
Colored paper and other dyed materials can also bleed color onto clothes.
Use oxygen bleach to eliminate the dye’s chemical bond on the fabric.
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It is safe on all colored materials and washable whites but never on silk, leather, or wool.
Chlorine bleach also works on whites.
Never machine-dry stained clothing because heat can set stains, making them nearly impossible to eliminate.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Air-dry to verify if the stain is gone.
If the stain remains, hit it one more time.
Here’s how to remove dye transferstains from colored clothesand whites.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Warning
Do not confuse oxygen bleach withchlorine bleach.
They are entirely different products.
Only use chlorine bleach on washable whites.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
It will remove desired colors and damage certain fabrics.
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Add the bleach to the dispenser or directly to the wash water with the detergent.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Tip
Never use chlorine bleach on any colored clothes.
Also, do not use it on synthetic fabrics like nylon or polyester.
Instead, take the garment to adry cleaneras soon as possible.
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
Be sure to point out the stain and tell the cleaner what caused the problem.
Additional Tips for Handling Dye Transfer Stains
The acid in vinegar is suitable for removing dye stains.
Hydrogen peroxide is considered an oxygen-based bleach and is effective for removing dyes.
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
Soak the item for 15 to 20 minutes in a bath of hydrogen peroxide and thoroughly rinse.
After a dye transfer mishap, never machine dry the item.
Immediately rewash it using detergent and an oxygen-based bleach or a pre-treating spray.
The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
