How to Remove Dye Transfer Stains from Clothing

Dye transfer stains can be frustrating, but don’t worry – with some effort, it is often possible to remove them or at least reduce their visibility. This guide will walk you through the steps for tackling dye transfer stains on your clothes using common household products.

What Causes Dye Transfer?

Dye transfer happens when wet fabric comes in contact with another fabric and the dye from one transfers onto the other. It is most common with darker or brightly colored clothes, especially when the dyes are not properly set. Things like jeans, dresses, towels and washcloths are common culprits.

The excess dye rubs off one item and binds to the fibers of the other through a process called crocking. This leaves behind stubborn stains that can be difficult to remove. Dye transfer can also occur in the washing machine if colors aren’t properly separated.

Can You Pre-Treat Dye Transfer Stains?

Pre-treating stains right away improves your chances of removal. First, identify the stained area and blot with a clean white cloth or paper towels to absorb as much of the excess dye as possible. Avoid rubbing, which can further set the stain.

Once excess dye is blotted, apply a stain removal spray or gel. Common recommendations include OxiClean, Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover or Shout. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to penetrate the fibers.

Gently dab more liquid stain remover onto the spot every few minutes while it sits. This will help lift more of the dye.

Home Remedies to Remove Dye Transfer

If pre-treating doesn’t do the trick, try one of these home remedies before washing:

Vinegar: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the stain, let sit 1-2 minutes, then rinse and launder as usual. The acid in vinegar helps dissolve dyes.

Rubbing Alcohol: Apply rubbing alcohol directly on the stain using a cotton ball. Let it sit a few minutes to disperse the dye, then rinse thoroughly before washing. Use caution, as alcohol can fade some fabrics.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix a solution of 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 4 parts water. Spray it directly on the stain and let bubble for 5 minutes. This helps lift dye through oxidation. Rinse then wash as normal.

Lemon Juice: Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto the stain and let sit for 10 minutes. The natural acid cuts through dye. Use a toothbrush to gently scrub the fabric against itself, then launder as usual.

Glycerin: Apply pure glycerin to the stain and let sit overnight. The next day, rinse then wash with detergent. Glycerin draws dye away from fibers.

Barkeepers Friend: Mix Barkeepers Friend cleanser with water to form a paste. Rub it onto the stain using an old toothbrush, let sit 5 minutes, then rinse and wash. It’s abrasive yet gentle on fabrics.

Laundry Tips for Removing Dye Transfer

In addition to pre-treating or spot cleaning stains beforehand, there are some things you can do in the wash to boost your chances of success:

Check labels – Launder items prone to dye transfer separately or with other darks and colors. Avoid mixing with whites or light fabrics where possible.

Wash in cold water – Hot water can further set stains and dye transfer. Stick to cold washes anytime you’re dealing with questionable stains.

Skip the dryer – Putting stained clothes in the dryer risks setting the stain permanently. It’s best to air dry then rewash if needed before drying.

Use color catchers – Throw a Shout Color Catcher cloth in the wash to help draw loose dyes away from your clothes and onto the sheet.

Don’t overload machines – Overstuffed loads lead to excess dye transfer. Leave room for clothes to move around freely.

Add salt – A half cup of salt in the wash water acts as a dye mordant to help release dyes. Vinegar also helps grab dye particles.

Repeat if needed – For stubborn stains, wash and air dry the item 2-3 times using these techniques before giving up. Persistence pays off!

Removing Specific Dye Transfer Stains

The techniques for pre-treating and washing out dye transfer stains remains largely the same regardless of material. However, you may need to adjust cleaning methods slightly depending on the type of fabric.

For cotton and other cellulose fibers, use lemon juice or vinegar as your first line of defense. Stay away from heat tools. For polyester and synthetics, rubbing alcohol or hairspray often helps break down dyes. With silks and fine fabrics, stick to cold water, salt and glycerin solutions. Avoid harsh chemicals.

For wool sweaters and materials, gently dab stains with hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice. Carefully hand wash using a mild detergent like Woolite. Reshape while drying flat if needed. Take extra care not to agitate wool.

With leather and suede, it’s best to consult a professional cleaner, as DIY attempts can easily damage the material. For delicate sheer fabrics, dilute some oxygen bleach like OxiClean in cool water for soaking stains out overnight.

And don’t forget household items like towels, sheets and tablecloths which commonly transfer dye in the wash. Use color catchers, vinegar rinses and cold water washes to help free them of stains.

When to Call for Professional Cleaning

If you’ve tried every home remedy and laundering technique to no avail, it may be time to seek professional help. Commercial cleaners have access to more powerful solvents and methods for removing stubborn dye stains and often get the job done when DIY efforts fail.

They may use techniques like machine vapor steam cleaning, ultrasonic agitation or industrial strength stain removers. It’s a good idea to ask upfront about prospects for fully removing the stain from your garment or fabric.

While professional cleaning comes at a cost, it can be worth it for expensive specialty fabrics or cherished items with deep set stains. For many people, the convenience is also a plus over handling the grunt work at home.

The Last Resort: Embrace the Stain

Sometimes stains don’t budge no matter what. If every effort has been exhausted to remove the dye transfer, all that’s left is to embrace it! Add decorative embroidery, colorful patches or iron-on designs to conceal stubborn stains.

For household linens like towels and sheets with bad stains, consider using them for pets, under appliance feet, or as rags or drop cloths for painting and messy tasks where appearance doesn’t matter. Add a decorative border around stained tablecloths to distract the eye.

Or cut and sew stained clothing into accessories like scarves, headbands, throw pillows or quilts. The options are endless – with a little creativity, you can give irremovable stains a total makeover!

The Takeaway on Dye Transfer Stains

Dye transfer stains can be pesky, but don’t send that favorite top or pair of jeans to the donation pile just yet. With some perseverance and the right stain removal methods, you stand a fighting chance of giving them new life.

Start by acting quickly and pre-treating the stain, then move on to spot treatments and specialty laundry techniques focused on dissolving and releasing excess dye trapped in the fibers. Seek help from professional cleaners for truly stubborn stains.

And if all else fails, get creative with embellishments and repurposing to give irremovable stains a whole new look! The most important thing is not to let frustration over dye transfer stand in the way of continuing to enjoy your clothes and home textiles.

References

How to Remove Dye Stains from Clothes. Good Housekeeping. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a24885/remove-dye-stains-from-clothes/

Dye Stain Removal Tips. Cleaning Institute. https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/stain-removal/dye-stains

How to Remove Dye Transfer Stains. Mr Right. https://www.mrright.ie/dictionary/d/dye-transfer-stains-removal