Tips to get rid of dye bleed from your clothes

Opening the washing machine and finding a stray sock that has dyed all your white washing pink is one of the most common domestic accidents and is very frustrating. Nevertheless, before writing off your clothes, it is important to know that there is a solution for most dye bleed if you act quickly and choose the right method for each type of fabric.

Recovering the original colour is not an impossible task, you just need to know how to reverse the disaster. In this article we are going to explain how to effectively get rid of dye bleed from clothes. Carry on reading!

Get rid of dye bleed from coloured clothes

When it happens on patterned or brightly coloured clothes, the aim is to get rid of the pigment that has stained them, without damaging the colour of the garment itself. In these cases, we should avoid aggressive products that could whiten areas where we want to keep the colour.

The following are the most recommended tips to get rid of dye bleed from coloured clothes because of how effective they are:

• Bay leaf infusion. Boil some bay leaves in water for 15 minutes. Sieve the liquid, and submerge the garment in it while it is still hot. Leave it to soak for at least an hour so that the heat and the plant’s properties help to release the dye bleed. This option is particularly recommended for mild or recent dye bleed.
• Water with salt and ice. If it is a recent stain, cold is a great ally to help us. Prepare a bowl with very cold water, ice and a generous handful of salt. Submerge the garment and let it soak for an hour. If the stain doesn’t come out, add a squirt of white vinegar. It will help get rid of the rest of the colour.
• Cold milk. Submerging the garment in cold milk from the fridge is a classic remedy that helps to release the pigment. Changing the milk every three hours is a fundamental step to avoid the colour adhering to the fabric again.
• Ammonia and detergent. For more stubborn stains on strong fabrics, mix some water with a little ammonia and detergent. Submerge the garment for 15 minutes only, and then rinse well before washing it as usual. Don’t forget the usual tips: wear gloves, make sure the space is well ventilated and never use bleach with this mixture.

Get rid of dye bleed from white clothes

Stains are more visible on white clothes, but these garments also allow more direct treatment. If you want to know how to get rid of dye bleed from white clothes, the following are the most effective methods:

1. Eggshells. Boil some water with empty eggshells. Turn off the heat and place the white clothes in the water for about 10 minutes. The released minerals will help to recover the brightness of the white colour naturally.
2. Ammonia and sunlight. Dilute some ammonia in a bowl and leave the garment to soak for 20 minutes. The professional tip is then to hang out the garment in direct sunlight before rinsing it in cold water. Remember to wear gloves and make sure you do it in a well ventilated space.
3. Use of specific products. When the household remedies are not enough, the safest bet is to use a specific product such as Dye bleed remover. These sachets contain a formula exclusively designed to work on dye that has transferred accidentally, returning the garment to its original white colour after soaking. All you need to do is add the sachet to a bowl with 4 litres of very hot water and then submerge the garment and let it soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Stir it occasionally with a wooden spoon to make it work better, and finally rinse the garment and wash it with your usual detergent.
4. Bleach. You can also use water with bleach, providing that the garment is all white. Mix 8 parts of water with one part of bleach and submerge the garment for 15 minutes. Then wash it as usual. Do not mix with other chemicals, and wear gloves.

Products that increase the length of life of your clothes and prevent the dye from bleeding

Prevention is the best way to keep your clothes looking new. Including some easy habits in your washing routine will save you from having to get rid of dye bleed from coloured clothes.

• Preventive barriers. Colour catcher sheets are the most practical solution for everyday washing. You simply add them to the wash and they work like a magnet, trapping any dye particles that are floating in the water before they adhere to other garments.
• Natural dye fixers. Before wearing a new, brightly-coloured garment, submerge it in cold water with half a glass of salt for 30 minutes. This will help to set the pigment in the fabric.
• The right detergents. Using a liquid detergent helps to keep the fibres whole and avoids the colour running out easily.

Recovering a garment that has accidentally been stained with dye is possible with a little patience and the right methods, although ultimately, the most important thing is to wash your clothes separately and always check the pockets. This will avoid nasty surprises!