Preventing Color Bleeding/Transfer: Complete Know-How for Resolving and Preventing Color Run

🌈 Stains on Light Clothes! Complete Guide for Resolving and Preventing Fabric Color Transfer

When washing white or light-colored clothes, the phenomenon where dye from other garments leaches out and stains the clothes in patchy areas is called Color Bleeding or Transfer (Color Run). It is common when washing new or dark-colored clothes, and once the color has transferred, it is difficult to restore the garment with a regular wash. We share the know-how for removing existing color transfer and completely preventing it from recurring in the future.

🔑 Core Principle of Color Transfer Resolution: Re-separating and Adsorbing the Dye

To remove color transfer stains, you need to loosen the dye that has reattached to the fabric, and then adsorb or bleach this dye so it doesn't reattach elsewhere.

💡 2 Methods to Restore Already Color-Transferred Clothes

1. Using Color Catcher Sheets (Mild Transfer):

Method: Put the color-transferred clothes and Color Catcher Sheets into the washing machine and run a cycle. The sheet absorbs the dye released into the water, lightening the transferred color. (Use in a front-load washer)
Tip: You can maximize the effect by using multiple sheets (2–3 sheets) and running the cycle at a high temperature.

2. High-Temperature Boiling with Sodium Percarbonate (The Most Powerful Method):

Principle: Sodium percarbonate (oxygen bleach) and hot water break down and bleach the transferred dye.
Supplies: Sodium Percarbonate, Hot Water (50°C~~60°C / 122°F~~140°F)
Method: Fill a basin with hot water and dissolve enough sodium percarbonate. Soak the color-transferred garment for at least 1 hour and then rinse thoroughly.
Caution: Must only be used on white or cotton fabrics that do not bleed color. Colored garments or sensitive materials like wool and silk may lose more color or be damaged.

🛡️ 3-Step Habit for Perfect Color Transfer Prevention

1. 'Separate Washing' by Color/Material (The Absolute Basic):

White/light-colored clothes and colored/dark clothes must always be washed separately.
New clothes should be washed alone for the first 1–2 times after purchase to remove residual dye.

2. Using Salt/Vinegar for Dye Setting:

Salt: Soaking new clothes in saltwater (1 cup per 10L of water) for about 30 minutes before washing helps the sodium chloride in the salt to hold the dye in the fibers, reducing color bleeding.
Vinegar: Adding a small amount of vinegar during the final rinse helps the acidic component set the dye.

3. Using Color Catcher Sheets (Insurance):

When you unavoidably wash white and colored clothes together, placing one Color Catcher Sheet in the laundry acts as insurance. The sheet adsorbs the dye released during the wash, preventing color transfer.