How to remove color stains from clothes

Sometimes one piece of clothing can leave its color on another during washing especially when white or light colored clothes are washed with dark ones.

If your favorite outfit gets stained, don’t throw it away just yet. A few simple home remedies may help remove the unwanted color.

Act quickly

The longer the unwanted color stays on the fabric the harder it may be to remove. Separate the stained clothes immediately and rinse them with cold water.  Avoid hot water because heat can make the color set deeper into the fabric.

Try white vinegar

Mix two to three tablespoons of white vinegar in a bowl of cold water.  Soak the stained clothing for 10 to 15 minutes then gently rinse it with cold water. Vinegar may help loosen the transferred color. If the stain remains the process can be repeated depending on the fabric.

Always test the solution on a hidden area first to make sure it does not affect the original color.

Baking soda and dish soap

Mix a small amount of baking soda with dishwashing liquid to make a thick paste. Apply it to the stain leave it for 5 to 10 minutes, and then rinse with cold water.

This may work well on white or light colored clothes with mild stains.  Avoid rubbing too hard especially on delicate fabrics.

Use salt water

Another traditional method is salt water. Dissolve two tablespoons of salt in a glass of cold water and soak the stained area for about 10 minutes.  It may help reduce the appearance of the transferred color.

Prevent color transfer

Wash white light colored and dark clothes separately. New dark colored clothes can release extra dye during their first few washes so keep them away from white clothes.

Also avoid drying stained clothes in strong sunlight or using high heat until the stain is gone as heat can make some stains harder to remove.

Important

Never mix vinegar bleach or other cleaning chemicals. Mixing chlorine bleach with vinegar or other acidic products can release dangerous fumes.

Home remedies may help with fresh and light stains but results can vary depending on the fabric and dye. For expensive or delicate clothing, follow the care label or consult a professional dry cleaner.