Many people struggle with the transfer of colors that occur with the laundry from time to time by bleeding clothes in a wash. Don’t worry if you have ended up in this situation! Let’s go through the main reasons for color spills in the wash and have some instant ideas to fix it in order to protect your clothes from destruction.
How to Fix Color Bleeding in Laundry?
To fix clothes that bled, use the following remedies:
Rewash the Clothes Immediately
Understanding color bleeding needs an immediate response. The sooner you act, the greater chance there is to draw back the transferred color. Perform the next wash with the defective items in cold water and do this as soon as possible. Adding a color catcher (if there is one available) would be a great help to trap the rest of the dyes in the water. Do not allow clothes to rest for too long with color bleeds, as the immersion of color might be with the fibers, and thus, it will be more problematic to remove it.
Use a Vinegar or Salt Solution
Vinegar and salt are great natural alternatives for color transfer laundry fix. You can add 1 cup of white vinegar or half a cup of salt into 1 gallon of cold water. Soak the clothes for about thirty minutes. This will contribute to the color fixing and limit the dye’s ability to transfer. You can use this trick as a pre-wash soak for new clothes that are susceptible to color bleeding. Always make sure that the garment is thoroughly rinsed to remove any salt or vinegar residue.
Oxygen-Based Bleach for Whites
Since your white clothes have been colored, an oxygen-based bleach may be the remedy. This bleach is milder than chlorine bleach, thus it will not affect weak fibers or change bright colored fabrics. Mixing oxygen-based bleach with warm water can make a proper color bleeding solution that will remove the unwanted colors and make your whites brighter again without causing damage.
Baking Soda Solution
The use of a baking soda solution can be a gentle bleach for the light-colored or white clothes that have become colored. Combine approximately 4 tablespoons of baking soda with a gallon of cold water and soak the material for 30 to 60 minutes. The soda works wonders in removing the unnecessary dye, and regain color balance throughout the fabric.
Preventing Color Bleeding in Laundry
To avoid color transfer in laundry, follow these tips before throwing everything into the wash:
Pre-Wash Color-Test
Test new clothes for colorfastness by dampening a white cloth and rubbing it on a hidden seam. If color transfers, it’s likely to bleed in the wash.
Separate Colors by Type
Sort your clothes by color to minimize unwanted bleeding clothes in a wash. Spin darks, lights, and whites separately to prevent color bleeding mishaps.
Use Cold Water
Cold water helps preserve colors and reduce bleeding by keeping dyes locked into the fabric. For new or colorful clothes, a cold water wash is ideal.
Turn Clothes Inside Out
This small step can minimize friction on fabric surfaces, helping to keep the dye intact.
One such simple step is to turn clothes inside out, which in turn limits friction on fabric surfaces, therefore maintaining the dye.
Use a Color Catcher
Color catchers are sheets designed to absorb stray dyes in the wash, making them a handy color bleeding solution for mixed loads.
Conclusion
While color bleeding can be a nuisance, following these steps can help you manage and prevent it with ease. With a few preventive measures and quick fixes, you can protect your clothes from color transfer and keep your laundry fresh and vibrant . Remember, the sooner you act, the better the results, so go through this guide for your next wash!
