How to Get Color Bleed Stains Out of Clothes

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Be careful when washing whites with colors.

When dye transfers from one item of clothing to another, it can be quite difficult to remedy. The key to any stain removal is to take care of it immediately; a fresh stain is easier to remove than one that has been sitting for more than a day. The process for removing a dye stain is straightforward, but it is not guaranteed to work.

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Things You'll Need

  • Heavy-duty liquid detergent

  • Diluted all-fabric powdered bleach

  • Liquid chlorine bleach

  • Commercial color remover

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Step 1

Pre-treat the stain with a heavy-duty liquid detergent. Rinse the entire garment thoroughly.

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Step 2

Soak the garment in a solution of all-fabric powdered bleach. Follow the instructions on the bleach for the proper mixing formula.

Step 3

If the stain persists, allow the garment to soak in a solution of liquid chlorine bleach for 15 minutes. As with powdered bleach, follow the instructions on the product for the mixing formula. Remember that liquid bleach can cause irreversible damage to your clothing and it may change the color, especially if the garment is any color other than white. You can test your garment for bleach tolerance by dropping some bleach on a hidden area.

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Step 4

If the stain is not removed after soaking in liquid chlorine bleach for 15 minutes, it cannot be removed with bleach. Purchase a commercial color remover and follow the directions on the package. Fabric color removers will remove any dye, including dye on areas where it is intended.

Step 5

Launder the garment after the stain is removed.

Warning

Wear appropriate safety equipment when working with bleach, including safety glasses and rubber gloves.

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