How to Treat Mixed-Wash Accidents

Who hasn't accidentally tossed a soon-to-be bleeding garment into a load of laundry? When clothing dye runs and your garments pick up the wrong colors in the wash, there's good news: It's often possible to get the stains out.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Liquid Detergent
• Liquid Detergent
• Non-chlorine Bleach

1. Act quickly before the stain sets. It's much easier to remove a new stain than an old one.

2. Rinse the stained clothing immediately with cold water. Then wash the garment in cold water using liquid detergent.

3. If step 2 doesn't do the trick, soak the garment in a diluted solution of all-fabric bleach. Chlorine bleach isn't advisable unless you're certain it's safe for the fabric.

4. Wash the garment in detergent, and use bleach that you've tested on the fabric. To test your fabric, mix a small spoonful of bleach in 1/4 cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) water. Place a couple of drops of the solution on a part of the fabric that doesn't show. If you don't see any color change or bleeding after a minute, the bleach is OK to use.

5. Be patient--up to five washings may be required.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to rewash the garment in a machine with bleach, keep in mind that bleach works best in hot water. Warm water is the second choice, and cold water is the least effective option.

on 2/10/2006 When you have colors that run on other clothes, immediately re-wash the stained clothes in a strong vinegar solution.

Set your washer for the hottest water that is safe for the garment and add up to half a cup of white vinegar into the washer.

Don't use soap or any other laundry products in this wash load, since the acid in the vinegar can significantly change how they work. Never add chlorine bleach to a load with vinegar in it; the resulting fumes are poisonous.

Set your washer to a second, cold water rinse after the cycle is complete, to completely remove the vinegar. The clothes should come out of this rinse looking good as new.

It's a good idea to run an empty washer every few months with a cup of chlorine bleach to keep your washer clean. You should definitely clean your washer this way after running a "vinegar" load. Residual vinegar in your washer can corrode the washing machine. The bleach will neutralize any leftover vinegar. Don't worry about fumes this time around; there isn't enough vinegar left to react with the chlorine bleach.

on 11/22/2005 For red on grey cotton t-shirts:
In the machine, fill the tub and soak the item with liquid detergent and a spoonful of Oxyclean. Let sit for 1 hour, agitate and repeat. All the dye came out. You must do this as soon as possible, before drying.

on 11/22/2005 Use orange hand cleaner to get out stains such as chocolate from delicate fabrics. This will even get baby food out of clothes and carpets. Rub a fair amount on the stain and then wash.