How to Get Dye Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You washed a red shirt with your white socks and now everything is pink. Or a new pair of dark jeans bled in the wash and stained your light blouse. Dye transfer is one of the most frustrating laundry problems. The good news is that dye transfer can be removed if you act quickly. The key is using the right products and not putting the dyed clothes in the dryer. Here’s how to get dye out of clothes without damaging the fabric.

Dye transfer on clothes is color bleeding from one garment to another during washing. Dye transfer happens when loose dye from a dark or brightly colored garment dissolves in the wash water and bonds with other garments. Removing dye transfer requires oxygen bleach, color removers, or chlorine bleach (white clothes only) to break down the transferred dye.

To get dye out of clothes, don’t dry the affected clothes. For white clothes, soak in oxygen bleach solution for 1 to 2 hours, then wash in hot water. For colored clothes, use a commercial color remover. For stubborn dye on white cotton, use chlorine bleach. Don’t use chlorine bleach on colors, don’t use hot water on protein stains, and don’t put dye-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Dye Transfer on White Clothes

Method 1: Oxygen Bleach Soak (Best for All White Fabrics)

Step 1: Don’t dry the clothes. If you see dye transfer after washing, don’t put the clothes in the dryer. The dryer heat sets the dye permanently.

Step 2: Soak in oxygen bleach. Fill a tub with warm water and add 2 scoops of oxygen bleach. Submerge the dyed white clothes and soak for 1 to 2 hours. The oxygen bleach breaks down the transferred dye.

Step 3: Wash in hot water. Wash with Tide Free and Gentle and 1 scoop of oxygen bleach in hot water.

Step 4: Check before drying. If the dye is gone, dry as usual. If not, repeat the soak and wash.

Method 2: Chlorine Bleach (For White Cotton Only)

For stubborn dye transfer on white cotton and linen:

Step 1: Soak in chlorine bleach solution. Mix 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of warm water. Soak for 15 minutes. Don’t soak longer, as chlorine bleach weakens fibers.

Step 2: Wash in hot water. Wash with enzyme detergent in hot water.

Step 3: Dry in the sun. Sunlight helps break down remaining dye.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on synthetics (it can yellow them) or colored clothes (it strips color).

Method 3: Hydrogen Peroxide (For White Clothes)

Step 1: Apply hydrogen peroxide. Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide directly to the dye stain.

Step 2: Let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Wash in hot water. Wash with enzyme detergent and oxygen bleach.

Method 4: White Vinegar (For Light Dye Transfer)

Step 1: Soak in vinegar. Soak the dyed white clothes in warm water with 1 cup of white vinegar for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Wash in hot water. Wash with enzyme detergent in hot water.

For Dye Transfer on Colored Clothes

Method 1: Commercial Color Remover

Color removers like Rit Color Remover are formulated to remove transferred dye from colored clothes without stripping the original color.

Step 1: Follow the package instructions. Typically, dissolve the color remover in hot water and soak the affected clothes.

Step 2: Soak for the recommended time. Usually 10 to 20 minutes.

Step 3: Rinse and wash. Rinse thoroughly and wash with enzyme detergent.

Step 4: Check before drying.

Method 2: Oxygen Bleach (For Color-Safe Removal)

Step 1: Soak in oxygen bleach. Fill a tub with warm water and add 2 scoops of oxygen bleach. Soak for 1 to 2 hours.

Step 2: Wash in hot water. Wash with enzyme detergent and oxygen bleach.

Oxygen bleach is color safe and won’t strip the original color, but it may not remove all transferred dye.

Method 3: Dish Soap and Vinegar (For Light Transfer)

Step 1: Apply dish soap. Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the dye stain. Work it in gently.

Step 2: Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Rinse with vinegar. Rinse with a solution of half water and half white vinegar.

Step 4: Wash. Wash with enzyme detergent in warm water.

How to Prevent Dye Transfer

Sort by color. Always sort clothes by color before washing. Wash darks, lights, and whites separately.

Wash new clothes separately. New clothes, especially dark and brightly colored ones, are most likely to bleed dye. Wash new items separately for the first 2 to 3 washes.

Use cold water for darks. Cold water prevents dye from dissolving and bleeding. Wash dark and brightly colored clothes in cold water.

Turn clothes inside out. Turning clothes inside out reduces dye bleeding and fading.

Use color catcher sheets. Color catcher sheets absorb loose dye in the wash water. Add 1 to 2 sheets per load when washing mixed colors.

Don’t overload the washer. Overloading prevents proper rinsing and increases the chance of dye transfer.

Use the right detergent. Use a detergent that doesn’t contain optical brighteners, which can affect dye. Tide Free and Gentle is a good choice.

Test new clothes for colorfastness. Before washing a new item with other clothes, test for colorfastness. Dampen a hidden area and press with a white cloth. If dye transfers to the cloth, wash the item separately.

What Not to Do

Don’t put dye-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets dye permanently. Always air dry and check first.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes. Chlorine bleach strips color. Use oxygen bleach or a commercial color remover.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on synthetics. Chlorine bleach can yellow polyester and other synthetics.

Don’t use hot water on dark clothes. Hot water dissolves dye and increases bleeding. Use cold water for darks.

Don’t wash new dark clothes with lights. New dark clothes are most likely to bleed. Wash separately for the first 2 to 3 washes.

Don’t give up after one treatment. Dye transfer may need 2 to 3 treatments to fully remove. Repeat the oxygen bleach soak or color remover treatment.

FAQ

How do you get dye out of clothes? For white clothes, soak in oxygen bleach solution for 1 to 2 hours, then wash in hot water with enzyme detergent. For colored clothes, use a commercial color remover. For stubborn dye on white cotton, use chlorine bleach. Don’t put dye-stained clothes in the dryer.

Does oxygen bleach remove dye transfer from clothes? Yes. Oxygen bleach breaks down transferred dye without damaging the original color. Soak in oxygen bleach solution for 1 to 2 hours, then wash in hot water. It may take 2 to 3 treatments for stubborn dye.

How do you remove dye transfer from colored clothes? Use a commercial color remover like Rit Color Remover. Follow the package instructions, typically dissolving in hot water and soaking for 10 to 20 minutes. Oxygen bleach is also color safe but may be less effective.

Can you use bleach to remove dye from clothes? For white cotton and linen, chlorine bleach removes dye transfer. Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes (it strips color) or synthetics (it can yellow them). Use oxygen bleach for all white fabrics and colored clothes.

How do you prevent dye transfer in the wash? Sort by color, wash new clothes separately for the first 2 to 3 washes, use cold water for darks, turn clothes inside out, use color catcher sheets, don’t overload the washer, and test new clothes for colorfastness before washing with other items.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove Dye Transfer from Clothes.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Get Dye Out of Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Dye Transfer Removal Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Rit. “Color Remover Guide.” ritdye.com.