Have you ever ruined a load of laundry because one piece of clothing bled onto everything else? It’s frustrating and can be costly, but it’s preventable.
Knowing which clothes are likely to bleed and how to test them can save you from this headache.
How to Prevent Clothes from Bleeding
Prevention is key when it comes to color bleeding in the laundry. Here are a few ways to avoid it:
- Wash new clothes separately before adding them to a load with other clothes.
- Sort clothes by color and wash like colors together.
- Use cold water and a color-safe detergent.
- Avoid overloading the washing machine, which can cause friction and increase the likelihood of color transfer.
Tips for Testing Fabric for Bleeding
If you’re unsure whether a piece of clothing will bleed, it’s best to test it before washing it with other clothes. Here’s how:
- Dampen a white cloth with rubbing alcohol or water.
- Rub the cloth on a hidden part of the garment, such as a seam or inside hem.
- If the cloth picks up any color, the fabric is likely to bleed.
Protecting Your Laundry from Color Bleed
Even if you take preventative measures, sometimes clothes still bleed. Here’s what to do if that happens:
- Remove any affected clothes from the washing machine immediately.
- Rewash the clothes that were not affected in a separate load.
- For clothes that were affected, rewash them with a color catcher sheet, which will absorb any excess dye.
- Consider using a dye fixative, which can help set the color and prevent future bleeding.
Now that you know how to prevent color bleeding, test fabrics, and protect your laundry, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh, clean clothes without any unexpected color transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a color catcher sheet? A color catcher sheet is a fabric sheet that absorbs excess dye in the wash.
- Can bleach remove color bleeding? Bleach can sometimes remove color bleeding, but it can also damage the fabric. It’s best to avoid using bleach on colored clothes.
- Can I wash white and colored clothes together if I use a color-safe bleach? It’s still best to separate white and colored clothes, even if you use a color-safe bleach.
Related Topics
- How to remove stains from clothes
- How to properly fold clothes
- Tips for organizing your closet
