Why do colour run stains occur?
Colour run stains occur when dyes from one fabric transfer onto another during the washing process. This phenomenon is primarily caused by the presence of unstable or poorly fixed dyes in the fabric. When exposed to water and detergent, these dyes can dissolve and migrate to other fabrics, resulting in unwanted colour bleeding. Factors such as temperature, agitation, and the type of dye used can influence the severity of colour run stains.[3] Mixing garments of different colours, especially vibrant or dark hues, without proper sorting can increase the risk. To prevent colour run stains, it is advisable to separate laundry by colour and use colour-catching sheets or detergent additives.
Now you have some easy-to-follow tips for how to get colour run out of clothes, you won't have to spend the next month in baby-pink shirts. Don’t forget to follow our guide on how to prevent colour bleeding from clothes! Also, check out our guide on how to remove pink stains from white clothes if you accidentally mixed your red garment with your whites.
Frequently asked questions about removing colour run from coloured clothes
Q. Does vinegar stop colour bleeding?
If you have new, heavily coloured clothes, soak them in white vinegar. The acetic acid will seal the fabric dye, which may help prevent colour bleeding.
Q. Can you use baking soda to remove colour run?
The answer depends on the type of clothing you’re dealing with. If you’re fixing white garment, baking soda can help remove colour run. Bicarbonate of soda has been tested to have whitening properties. Now, if you’re dealing with coloured garments, the results may not be as evident.
Q. How do you fix fabric bleeding?
Quilters usually recommend soaking the fabrics in a mixture of dish soap, baking soda and vinegar. After a few hours, you can wash them in Persil detergent. Air dry or hang them under the sun.
Q. Does salt fade clothing?
There are contradicting opinions about the effects of salt on clothing. Others use it to prevent colour fading when dying fabrics. However, some sources say that salt can damage garments and cause their colours to weaken. So, take it with a grain of salt (pun intended). After all, there are little to no studies supporting both claims.
References:
1. Raichurkar, P. (2010). COLOUR BLEEDING PROBLEMS IN COTTON YARN DYED FABRICS DYED WITH REACTIVE COLOURS & SOME REMEDIAL MEASURES. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277559743_COLOUR_BLEEDING_PROBLEMS_IN_COTTON_YARN_DYED_FABRICS_DYED_WITH_REACTIVE_COLOURS_SOME_REMEDIAL_MEASURES
2. Acetic acid - chemical safety facts. (2022, October 14). Chemical Safety Facts. https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/chemicals/acetic-acid/
3. Cotton, L., Hayward, A. S., Lant, N. J., & Blackburn, R. S. (2020). Improved garment longevity and reduced microfibre release are important sustainability benefits of laundering in colder and quicker washing machine cycles. Dyes and Pigments, 177, 108120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2019.108120
