Help! My Laundry Turned Pink—Learn How To Fix It
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It happens to even the best laundry sorters: Sometimes, a bright-colored garment sneaks into a load of lighter clothes, and now your favorite white shirt isn’t so white anymore.
Assuming you’re not into the tie-dye look, you might be able to make things right for your wardrobe when dye transfer causes unsightly stains and color transformations. However, getting dye stains out of clothes requires swift action and the right cleaning method.
Pre-Treatment Steps
First, you’ll want to figure out the source of the dye stain and make sure the offending garment stays out of trouble next time. You’ll also want to ensure the affected item does not make its way into your dryer, as the heat will only serve to set the stain.
Before you attempt any stain removers or presoaks in stain-fighting detergent, always read the care label on your clothes, especially when it comes to water temperature. Your goal is to remove the dye stain, not to wreak further havoc by damaging or shrinking the fabric.
Methods to Remove Dye Stains
All might not be lost for your favorite white shirt when dye transfer stains appear. Here, we offer a few removal methods. As with most laundry rescue techniques, understand that you might have to repeat a method or combine approaches for the best results.
Warning
Always work in ventilated areas when using bleach or other commercial cleansers with strong fumes.
Method 1: Vinegar Solution
Vinegar’s acidic nature is great for removing dye stains. While you can add it to the rinse cycle of your laundry, some experts feel vinegar will only diminish the detergent’s power—not good if you need all hands on deck to remove dye stains. Instead, try this instead:
Mix a 1-1 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Spray it on the affected garment.
Let sit for 15–30 minutes
Rinse thoroughly in cold water.
Repeat, if necessary.
Method 2: Oxygen-Based Bleach
Use oxygen-based bleach, not regular chlorine bleach, to remove dye from clothes. The latter can work if the clothing in question is white, but traditional bleach can be very harsh on fibers, and you might actually damage the fabric in your attempt to remove the stain.
Always follow the instructions on any detergent or cleanser, but this is typically a good method:
Fill a bucket, tub, or sink filled with cool water and mix in a bit of oxygenated bleach.
Submerge the stained clothes and leave them to soak overnight.
Repeat, if necessary, until the stain is removed.
Warning
Never mix oxygen-based bleach with chlorine bleach.
Method 3: Synthrapol or Dye Remover Products
Both professional and DIY designers who work with dye and fabric need a backup plan when things go awry. There are some commercial products they use to regulate color, and you can borrow from their strategy:
Synthrapol: Synthrapol is an industrial-strength detergent that is actually used during the hand-dyeing process to remove excess dye from the fabric. It contains water, isopropanol, and detergent and works to suspend dye particles in the wash, preventing them from reattaching to the material. It’s gentle on all fabrics.
Dharma Professional Textile Detergent: This is a cheaper and more eco-friendly alternative to Synthrapol.
Rit Dye Laundry Treatment Color Remover: It makes sense that one of the most famous brands in dyes also has a solution for when the dye goes awry. Read the label carefully to make sure you can use this for the type of fabric you’re attempting to revive.
Whether you use these products or find something else that you’d like to try, follow the instructions to the letter for best results. Don’t assume normal laundry “rules” apply. For example, Dharma’s label says to use hot water, while conventional wisdom says to use cold water to avoid stains setting into the fabric.
Method 4: Enzymatic Detergents and Stain Fighters
Enzymes work to remove stains originating from plants and animals, plus they prevent those stains from landing on other clothes in your laundry load. There are many enzymatic detergents on the market, including Zout, Persil Professional Laundry Detergent Small & Mighty Colour Protect, and even some OxiClean products.
If you’re partial to another brand not listed here, it’s worth a check of the store shelves to see if there’s an enzymatic option. As with all commercial detergents and stain lifters, read the label carefully to ensure you’re using just enough product with the right water temperature setting.
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