You may be shocked to see that a colored item of clothing has rubbed off on another item of clothing. Fortunately, you can simply remove the discolored spots on your clothes. Be careful not to put the discolored clothing in the dryer, as this will permanently set the discolored areas into the fabric. Also read the washing instructions for all garments before deciding which method to use to remove the discolored spots from your clothes.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Safely remove discolored spots
Step 1. Do not put the clothes in the dryer
It is important that you do not put in the dryer clothes that other clothes have given off on. This will cause the discolored spots to soak into the fabric. You will not be able to remove these discolorations, which will ruin your clothing.
Step 2. Separate the garments
When you notice that a colored garment has deposited on your white clothing, separate the colored garment from your white clothing. This prevents more dye from ending up on your white clothes.
Step 3. Read the washing instructions
Before attempting to remove the discolored spots from your clothes, you should carefully read the washing instructions in the garments. On the labels you can see whether it is safe to use products such as bleach and at which temperatures you can safely wash the fabrics.
Method 2 of 4: Removing discolored spots from white clothing
Step 1. Soak white clothing in bleach or vinegar
Place the white garments in a large sink or bathtub. Add 250 ml of white vinegar. If the washing instructions have a triangle and you can safely use bleach, then you can use 60 ml of bleach instead of vinegar. However, do not use chlorine bleach. Add 4 liters of cold water. Let the garments soak for half an hour.
Step 2. Rinse and wash the garments
After you have soaked the white garments for half an hour, rinse them in cold water. Then put the clothes in the washing machine. Add detergent and wash the clothes in cold water. Let the clothes air dry.
Step 3. Try a bleach
If you cannot remove the discolored spots by soaking the garments in vinegar or bleach and washing them, you can try a bleaching agent such as Dylon, HG or Dr. Beckmann. Mix the product with water according to package directions. Then soak the garments in the mixture, rinse and machine wash.
Only use bleach on garments that are completely white, as these harsh agents will remove all dyes from the fabric
Method 3 of 4: Removing discolored spots from colored clothing
Step 1. Try washing the garments again with detergent
If a colored garment has rubbed off on other colored garments, you may be able to remove the discolored spots by rewashing the garments in question with detergent. Put the discolored garments in the washing machine. Add detergent and wash the clothes according to the instructions on the care label.
Step 2. Soak the clothes in colorfast bleach
If you cannot remove the discolored spots by washing the colored garments, you can try soaking the garments in colorfast bleach. Test the bleach on an inconspicuous piece of fabric first to see if the fabric is colorfast. Then mix colorfast bleach with water according to package directions. Soak the garments for at least eight hours, rinse, machine wash and hang on the clothesline to dry.
Step 3. Try a color catcher
A color catcher is a cloth that has been specially treated to collect the dyes released in the washing machine. Put the color catcher in the washing machine and then wash your clothes according to the instructions on the product packaging.
You can buy color catchers at your supermarket or on the internet
Method 4 of 4: Preventing discolorations
Step 1. Read the washing instructions
One of the easiest ways to prevent clothes from chafing on each other is to read the washing instructions in your clothes. Many garments, such as dark denim, have a label with a warning that the garment can stain. It is therefore recommended to wash the garment separately.
Step 2. Sort your clothes
You can prevent discoloration by sorting your garments in advance and not washing everything together. For example, make separate piles of white clothes, dark and black clothes, and brightly colored clothes. In that case, wash each pile of laundry separately to prevent clothes from staining each other.
Step 3. Wash items that cause problems separately
Certain garments can be particularly problematic and transfer to other garments. Wash these garments separately and according to the washing instructions. For example, it's a good idea to wash new dark jeans or a red cotton shirt separately.
Step 4. Do not leave wet clothes in the washing machine
If you forget to take your wet clothes out of the washing machine, some clothes may rub off on each other. To prevent this from happening, always take your clothes out of the washing machine when the wash cycle is finished. Also, don't just leave your wet clothes in a laundry basket.