How to Get Red Dye Out of Colored Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

A red item bled into your wash and dyed your colored clothes. Maybe a red sock turned your blue shirt purple, or a red towel dyed your green shirt brown. Red dye transfer on colored clothes is harder to remove than on white clothes because you can’t use chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide. But it can be removed with oxygen bleach and OxiClean. Here’s how to get red dye out of colored clothes without damage.

Red dye on colored clothes is a dye transfer stain caused by red dye bleeding from one fabric and bonding with another. Removing red dye from colored clothes is harder than from white clothes because you can’t use chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide (they strip color). The approach requires oxygen bleach (color-safe) to break down the red dye and OxiClean to lift the pigment.

To get red dye out of colored clothes, act quickly, wash the dyed items separately, soak in oxygen bleach for 1 to 2 hours, spray with OxiClean and let it sit for 15 minutes, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. Don’t put dyed clothes in the dryer, don’t use chlorine bleach, and don’t use hydrogen peroxide on colored clothes.

Step-by-Step: Removing Red Dye from Colored Clothes

Step 1: Act Quickly

The sooner you treat dye transfer, the easier it is to remove. Don’t let the dyed clothes dry.

Step 2: Wash Separately

Don’t wash the dyed items with other clothes. The dye can transfer again.

Step 3: Soak in Oxygen Bleach

Dissolve 1 scoop of oxygen bleach in warm water. Submerge the dyed clothes. Soak for 1 to 2 hours. Oxygen bleach is color-safe and breaks down the red dye.

Step 4: Spray with OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let it sit for 15 minutes. The enzymes help break down the dye.

Step 5: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the dyed areas. Work it in gently. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 6: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add 1 scoop of oxygen bleach and half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda.

Step 7: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse.

Step 8: Check Before Drying

If the dye remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put dyed clothes in the dryer.

For Stubborn Red Dye on Colored Clothes

Use Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Use Amodex

For red dye that leaves a persistent stain, apply Amodex Ink and Stain Remover. Work it in, let it sit for 10 minutes, and wash.

Use Rubbing Alcohol (Test First)

Apply rubbing alcohol to the dyed area with a cotton ball. Blot. Test on a hidden area first, as alcohol can affect some dyes.

Use a Commercial Color Remover

Use a commercial color remover (like Rit Color Remover). Follow package instructions. Color removers strip dye from fabric, so test first and use carefully.

Repeat Treatment

Red dye on colored clothes may need 2 to 3 treatments to fully remove.

How to Prevent Red Dye Transfer

Wash Red Items Separately

Wash red items separately for the first 3 to 4 washes.

Use Cold Water

Cold water reduces dye bleeding.

Test for Colorfastness

Dampen a hidden area and press with a white cloth. If dye transfers, wash separately.

Use Color Catcher Sheets

Use color catcher sheets to absorb loose dye.

Sort by Color

Don’t wash red items with other colored clothes.

What Not to Do

Don’t put dyed clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets dye permanently.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes. Chlorine bleach strips color. Use oxygen bleach.

Don’t use hydrogen peroxide on colored clothes. It can lighten colors. Use on white clothes only.

Don’t wash dyed items with other clothes. The dye can transfer again.

Don’t let dyed clothes dry before treating. Treat while wet.

Don’t use hot water. Hot water increases dye bleeding. Use warm or cold water.

FAQ

How do you get red dye out of colored clothes? Act quickly, wash separately, soak in oxygen bleach for 1 to 2 hours, spray with OxiClean for 15 minutes, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. Repeat if needed.

Does oxygen bleach remove red dye from colored clothes? Yes. Oxygen bleach is color-safe and breaks down red dye. Dissolve 1 scoop in warm water, soak for 1 to 2 hours, and wash.

Can you use chlorine bleach on colored clothes with red dye? No. Chlorine bleach strips color from colored clothes. Use oxygen bleach only.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide on colored clothes? No. Hydrogen peroxide can lighten colors. Use on white clothes only.

Can you put red-dyed colored clothes in the dryer? No. Dryer heat sets dye permanently. Air dry and check first.

References

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