Can You Use Baking Soda to Remove Colour Run? (2024)

If your clothes have been plagued by the dreaded colour run monster, you need to act fast to tame and remove the beast!

But what’s a quick, easy and cheap way to remove colour run from clothes? Simple: Use baking soda.

Baking soda, aka bicarbonate of soda, is a non-toxic odour neutraliser that can also brighten white laundry. So, it’s the ideal product to work with when trying to remove a colour run issue.

So, how do you use baking soda to remove colour run? Keep on reading to find out what you need to do!

How to Use Baking Soda to Remove Colour Run

Just before you dive into treating your clothes with baking soda, you should consider the following points:

  • Act as quickly as you can to remove the colour run damage from your clothes – This will give you the best chance of succeeding with the task below.
  • Don’t even think about drying your garments before treating them – Tumble drying is a big no-no because it helps the stain to set in.
  • Always do a patch test before you commit to any hardcore cleaning – This can prevent you from ruining your clothes even more.
  • You should make a habit of checking the tags on your clothing tags to see how you should actually be treating and washing the items – This can stop you from causing more damage to your clothes.
  • Don’t forget to remove the troublesome item of clothing from the washing machine/pile of ruined laundry – The item will only go on to cause more trouble if it’s allowed to sit in the heart of your pile of wet laundry.

So, let’s get stuck into the cleaning now. Here’s how you remove colour run from laundry with baking soda.

Method 1 – The washing machine

Can You Use Baking Soda to Remove Colour Run? (1)

If you feel confident and you’re happy to add baking soda directly into your washing machine to treat your ruined items, you can do so, but you do this at your own risk.

What you need:

  • Ruined items of clothing
  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Detergent

Steps to follow:

  1. Grab one ruined garment at a time.
  2. Test out the baking soda – Dab a little watered down baking soda onto each garment to see if the baking soda reacts badly/well with the material.
  3. Based on the results of Step 2, either continue with this method or stop completely.
  4. Put your damaged items back into the washing machine.
  5. Add half a cup of baking soda to the clothes inside your washing machine.
  6. Add your detergent as usual.
  7. Run a regular wash cycle.
  8. Add another half a cup of baking soda to your washing machine as the rinse cycle is being run.
  9. Allow the washing machine to complete its wash cycle.
  10. Remove the clothes and dry them on the line preferably.

Method 2 – Hand washing

Can You Use Baking Soda to Remove Colour Run? (2)

If you’d prefer to treat your clothes outside of the washing machine first, and then wash the items as normal later on, follow the method below.

What you need:

  • Ruined items of clothing
  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Bucket
  • Cup
  • Washing machine
  • Detergent

Steps to follow:

  1. Grab one ruined garment at a time.
  2. Test out the baking soda – Dab a little watered down baking soda onto each garment to see if the baking soda reacts badly/well with the material.
  3. Based on the results of Step 2, either continue with this method or stop completely.
  4. Fill a large bucket with four litres of warm water.
  5. Add half a cup to a cup of baking soda to the water in the bucket.
  6. Add one ruined item of clothing to the water at a time.
  7. Submerge the item.
  8. Leave the item in the water for around half an hour.
  9. Go back to check on the item.
  10. If the item still looks the same, pop it back under the water.
  11. Consider adding another half a cup of baking soda to the water.
  12. Remove the item from the water and rinse it under warm water.
  13. You will need to launder the item as normal.
  14. Repeat the steps above for your other ruined items.
  15. Allow your items to dry naturally, if possible.

Note: While baking soda is a great way of treating colour runs, the methods above are not always suitable for all clothes and colour runs. In these cases, it may be best for you to try a stronger removal method.

Can You Use Baking Soda to Treat Coloured Clothes?

It is possible to use baking soda to treat colour runs on coloured clothes. However, you should always do a patch test on a discreet section of clothing before starting the actual treatment process.

And be aware that baking soda may cause discolouration on coloured clothes. It does, after all, have an uncanny ability to whiten greying clothes.

So, if you’ve got some doubts, you’d be better off sticking to tried and tested products for this particular task.

How To Stop a Colour Run Incident in the Future

Can You Use Baking Soda to Remove Colour Run? (3)

Colour runs causes needless hassle and worry, so it’s better to avoid such a problem to begin with.

Here are some tips you can try out right now to avoid such an issue:

  • Separate your laundry appropriately – colours and whites.
  • Double check your piles of laundry as you’re adding them to the drum.
  • Make use of Dylon Colour Catcher Sheets and such products.
  • If you think a coloured top could cause an issue, wash it on its own.
  • Re-check your cleaned laundry before drying it – Treating colour runs when the clothes are fresh out of the washing machine is essential.
  • Clean your washing machine out after a colour run drama – This will remove any dye residue, and will prevent future problems.

How Else Can You Remove Colour Run from Laundry?

Can You Use Baking Soda to Remove Colour Run? (4)

There are plenty of other ways you can treat clothes that have been soiled by colour run.

You do, however, need to keep in mind that some methods are better for coloured clothes, and others for white clothes only. We’ve written an in-depth guide on how to remove colour run from white clothes if you need some more tips.

Here’s a quick overview of other ways to remove colour run:

  • A basic re-wash of your damaged clothes could do the job, if you’ve acted quick enough.
  • Soaking clothes in a detergent mix, before washing items as normal, also works.
  • White vinegar is also an alternative option.
  • You could bleach your white clothes if you wanted to.
  • Napisan can also be used to remove colour runs from clothes.
  • Investing in an off-the-shelf colour run remover is a backup option.

Can You Use Baking Soda to Remove Colour Run? (5)

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Can You Use Baking Soda to Remove Colour Run? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Use Baking Soda to Remove Colour Run? ›

But what's a quick, easy and cheap way to remove colour run from clothes? Simple: Use baking soda. Baking soda, aka bicarbonate of soda, is a non-toxic odour neutraliser that can also brighten white laundry. So, it's the ideal product to work with when trying to remove a colour run issue.

How do you remove color run from colored clothes? ›

Take a white cloth and dampen it with a commercial stain remover, rubbing alcohol, hairspray, or any clear solvent that is 90% alcohol. Dab the stain with the white cloth repeatedly, and the dye should keep transferring from your garment onto the white cloth. Afterward, rinse in warm water. Proceed with normal wash.

How do you reverse a color run? ›

Try adding a cup of distilled white vinegar to a bowl of cold water and soaking the stained area. Be sure to test a small area of the clothing first to check it won't be affected by the vinegar. Then wash again as normal.

How do you remove color bleeding? ›

Here are the steps to clean the color bleeds:
  1. Fill a tub with a 1:1 ratio of water and hydrogen peroxide.
  2. Soak your stained clothes in the tub.
  3. Allow your stained clothes to be soaked for about 30 minutes.
  4. Take your clothes out and dry them. You should find your stains to be gone.

What product removes color run? ›

Carbona Color Run Remover removes unwanted dyes. For stains such as crayon, rust, ink, fruit juice, etc., we recommend using Carbona Stain Devils. ALWAYS TEST FOR COLORFASTNESS ON COLORED FABRICS. Do not use on silk, denim, khaki, synthetic fabrics, leather, suede, vinyl or any garment that has bled onto itself.

What is the best colour run remover? ›

Beckmann Colour Run Remover is the perfect solution to correcting those colour run mis-haps, but if you are not exactly sure how to use the product the colour run can be tricky to remove.

Does white vinegar remove color from clothes? ›

Yeah, white vinegar is also used for brightening clothes, bleaching and reducing stains, losing soap buildup, deodorizing, preventing colors from fading, cleaning washing machines, and softening fabrics.

How do I get my clothes back to original color? ›

Add salt to wash load: Detergent residue is one of the biggest contributors to fading. To break up the residue and restore color, add ½ cup of table salt to the empty washer drum, add clothing, and complete a regular wash cycle.

Does oxiclean remove color bleeding? ›

For white or light-colored fabrics, Oxiclean can work wonders in removing color bleeding. However, for darker or brightly colored fabrics, the results may not be as satisfactory. In some cases, Oxiclean may even cause further discoloration or fading of the fabric.

Does color run come out of clothes? ›

Generally, your clothes will return to their pre-color-loving state. We do have a few tips to help as you clean them: After the event, dust and shake off as much color as possible. Rinse your colorful clothes in cold water before running a wash cycle- and then wash as you normally would.

Does color run dye come out of clothes? ›

It's nothing a tumble through the washing machine won't take care of! Color Powder washes out of most clothing but since we haven't tested every fabric under the sun you may want to leave your favorite running clothes or evening dress at home. Dust off or blow off as much powder as possible before washing.

Does white vinegar stop color bleeding? ›

Salt and vinegar won't do the trick.

Although there is a popular belief that using salt and white vinegar to set dyes in your fabrics work, it actually does not. The acid in the vinegar helps set the dye, but is only essential in the dying process and does not really work for cotton dyes.

How do you remove color bleeding with vinegar? ›

Add 1 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle or one-half cup salt to the wash to help hold in colors. Use color-catcher sheets, which trap extraneous dyes during the wash cycle to prevent bleeding. Don't overstuff your dryer. Clothes will dry faster.

Can vinegar remove dye transfer? ›

The most popular and widely effective home remedy that removes the dye from clothes is rubbing alcohol, followed closely by white vinegar. You can apply these products in several different ways depending on the type of garment and kind of stain.

Can salt remove colour run? ›

Keep Colors Colorful

Color Bleeding: Add 1/2 cup of salt to the wash cycle to prevent new colored fabrics from running. Curtains and Rugs: The colors of washable curtains or fiber rugs can be brightened by washing them in a saltwater solution.

What is the best natural color remover? ›

Baking soda can be an effective way to remove permanent hair dye naturally because of its lightening properties. Try mixing baking soda with lemon juice, which is acidic, to create a paste. Then, work the paste through your hair, allow it to sit for five minutes, and rinse thoroughly.

Can bleach remove colour run? ›

If you're opting for bleach to get rid of the unwanted color, it is crucial to choose a non-chlorine, oxygen-based bleach which is color-safe to add to your regular liquid or powder detergent when you are rewashing your clothes to get rid of the color run in the wash.

What can I use instead of Rit colour remover? ›

The sodium hyrdosulfite is the same ingredient found in commercial colour removers like the Rit brand. Thiox, another colour remover has Thiourea Dioxide – a replacement for Sodium Hydrosulfite and can also be used.

Is Color Run dye permanent? ›

It's important to keep in mind that with each wash, the pigment in your color run shirt can fade. And using too much detergent can lead to excessive color fading. Despite this, the colorful glow will last a lifetime if you've preserved your T-shirt using the directions above.

Will baking soda and vinegar take the color out of clothes? ›

While baking soda can undeniably be a benefit to your laundry due to its natural antiseptic properties, you should still use it with caution due to its high pH level that can fade colours on clothes.

Is it better to wash clothes with baking soda or vinegar? ›

Baking soda in the laundry can be a great addition for a natural fabric softener or controlling excess suds, while vinegar in laundry can be an amazing agent for getting those whites extra sparkling and banishing mildew odor. They help even the best laundry detergents to be more effective.

Will baking soda bleach clothes? ›

In short, no – adding baking soda to your wash load will not bleach your clothes as harsh chemical cleaners will. What this pantry staple will do, however, is enhance bright whites and bring out the clarity of color in colored garments for a truly refreshed closet collection.

Can you reverse color bleed in clothes? ›

You can remove color bleeding stains by dissolving oxygen bleach in hot water and then allowing the mixture to cool down. Add the garment and soak it for 15 minutes and then rinse. The stain should be gone.

Can you reverse fabric dye? ›

Dyeing with bleach is a way to tie-dye in reverse, to remove color instead of adding it. As the bleach reacts with fabric, it begins breaking down the color present in the fibers. Reverse-dyeing can be used with any tie-dye folding technique or dyeing pattern.

Can you reverse dyed clothes? ›

Try a commercial color remover.

Color remover is a chemical product that strips all the dyes from the fabric so all that's leftover is the raw uncolored material. Mix the product with water according to the package directions, and then soak, rinse, and launder the clothing.

How do you get color bleed out of clothes with baking soda? ›

Add half a cup of baking soda to the clothes inside your washing machine. Add your detergent as usual. Run a regular wash cycle. Add another half a cup of baking soda to your washing machine as the rinse cycle is being run.

Can you get color bleed stains out? ›

Pretreat the stain with heavy-duty liquid detergent. Rinse. Soak fabric in dilute solution of all-fabric powdered bleach. If stain persists and garment is white or colorfast, soak entire garment in diluted solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water.

Can you mix OxiClean and baking soda? ›

Add ½ cup of baking soda to your washer. Add detergent, like ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Odor Blasters. Run the wash cycle. Add another ½ cup of baking soda in the rinse cycle.

Will Borax remove color bleed? ›

Borax thereby acts as a water softener, helping soaps and detergents work more effectively. A borax and water solution along with detergent will emulsify and disperse oils, repel soils and lift the color out of stains without harm to white or colored fabrics.

Does the dryer take color out of clothes? ›

Skip the dryer as much as possible. The tumbling of the dryer makes the surface of garment fibers rough, which in turn makes the colors appear faded, even if they aren't. Skip washing all-together. The more you wash an item, the more faded it becomes.

Does wash out dye wash out completely? ›

Does Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Wash Out Completely? Yes, semi-permanent hair dye will wash out completely with shampoo. It may take several washes to get the color out, but with each wash, more and more pigment will be washed out until it's all gone.

Does laundry detergent remove dye? ›

When you use a detergent with stain-lifting enzymes like Persil® ProClean® Stain Fighter liquid detergent, you are able to remove hair dye with laundry detergent effectively. Remove any excess hair dye with a tissue or use a blunt knife or spoon to scrape it off.

Does laundry stripping remove dye? ›

Laundry stripping is effective because of its chemical solution of Borax, powdered detergent and washing soda along with extra hot water. This method will indeed break down build-up on clothes, but it could also leach out dye and naturally-occurring oils in fabric.

Does apple cider vinegar remove color? ›

However, when used alone it can fade color and make the hair feel dry and look dull, making following up with a good conditioner or treatment necessary," explains Friese. On the other hand, ACV is meant to remove buildup, seal in hair color, and enhance shine. Are there any side effects to using an ACV hair rinse?

Does white vinegar damage color? ›

The acetic acid in distilled white vinegar is so mild that it will not harm washable fabrics. Yet it is strong enough to dissolve residues (alkalies) left by ingredients in soaps and detergents. Adding just 1/2 cup of vinegar to the final rinse will result in brighter, clearer colors.

Is it okay to soak clothes in vinegar overnight? ›

The Benefits of Using Vinegar in Laundry

To use it, soak the stained item for 30 minutes up to overnight in a solution of white vinegar and 1 Tbsp. liquid laundry detergent prior to laundering. Mold and Mildew Removal: Distilled white vinegar is also a powerful agent for removing mold or mildew from fabrics.

Does hydrogen peroxide and baking soda remove blood stains? ›

Apply a pre-treatment of a few drops of liquid laundry detergent to the blood stain. Wash the stained clothing in cold water with a natural bleaching agent like hydrogen peroxide, distilled white vinegar, or baking soda. Let the clothing air dry and then see if the stain is gone.

Does hydrogen peroxide get rid of old period stains? ›

For Older, Dried, or Super Stubborn Stains

"Dab a washcloth dipped in hydrogen peroxide directly on the spot, then rinse well with water," says Kerr. Toss it in the washing machine as you normally would. Even if you don't do laundry for a few days, the stain should disappear.

Does hydrogen peroxide remove color transfer? ›

Hydrogen peroxide is a very effective stain remover for protein- and plant-based stains. And it works well in treating mildew, blood, fruit and vegetable, and dye-transfer stains.

Does OxiClean remove dye transfer? ›

Always remember to test for colorfastness in an inconspicuous area before using the product. For best results, add all powders to water before adding fabrics. Can I use OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover to remove dye transfer stains? OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover is not designed to remove these types of stains.

Does white vinegar fade color? ›

Did you know that white vinegar can help to keep fabric colors from fading? If you add ½ cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle, the liquid will freshen up your laundry and help colors maintain their intensity.

Does color run color come out of clothes? ›

Our color powder washes out of most clothing. However, it can stain some materials. 100% cotton clothing is recommended and typical machine washing with stain remover, removes the stains. We recommend removing excess powder from clothing before washing and/or applying water.

Will OxiClean remove color run? ›

Will OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover fade my colored clothing? OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover is color safe. However, not all clothing is colorfast. Always remember to test for colorfastness in an inconspicuous area before using the product.

Can dye stains be removed after drying? ›

If rewashing can't remove the dye transfer stains, you will need to soak the clothes in oxygen-based bleach and cold water before rewashing. To make sure you use the right amount of bleach, follow the directions on the package. Submerge the stained garments and let them soak for about 8 hours.

Does hydrogen peroxide remove color from fabric? ›

Even though it is a very mild form of bleach, it is best to test hydrogen peroxide on colored clothes in an inconspicuous spot (e.g., the hem or inside seam) to make sure the colors don't fade. Just dip a cotton swab in the hydrogen peroxide, and rub it on the fabric. If color transfers to the swab, don't proceed.

Does vinegar remove dye from clothes? ›

Vinegar has acidic properties that make it an excellent stain remover for many different types of stains, including several types of dye. Plus, vinegar may not smell great but it does not let off dangerous fumes like some kinds of bleach.

Does salt remove colour run? ›

Keep Colors Colorful

Color Bleeding: Add 1/2 cup of salt to the wash cycle to prevent new colored fabrics from running. Curtains and Rugs: The colors of washable curtains or fiber rugs can be brightened by washing them in a saltwater solution.

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