How to Remove Dye Transfer Stains From Clothes

Oxygen bleach and chlorine bleach to the rescue

How to Remove Dye Transfer Stains

The Spruce

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 20 mins
  • Total Time: 9 - 12 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0-$10

Dye transfer stains from colored clothes, especially new, never-laundered garments like jeans or brightly colored items, are caused by unstable dyes. These dyes easily bleed in the wash, when it rains, or when you sweat. Colored paper and other dyed materials in contact with your clothes can also leave stains. In most cases, dye transfer can be avoided when clothing is sorted properly.

Get rid of color bleed stains by using oxygen bleach to eliminate the dye's chemical bond on the fabric when oxygen is released and mixed with water. Oxygen bleach can be used on all colored materials and washable whites but never on silk, leather, or wool. You can also try chlorine bleach on whites.

Never machine-dry affected clothing until you have removed the stain. Heat can set the stain and make it nearly impossible to eliminate. If you can't get rid of the color bleed in one go, allow the fabric to air-dry before beginning again. 

Here's how to remove dye transfer stains from colored clothes and whites.

Warning

Do not confuse oxygen bleach with chlorine bleach. They are entirely different products. Chlorine bleach will remove desired colors and damage fabrics.

Stain type Dye-based 
Detergent type Oxygen-based bleach
Water temperature Cold
Cycle type Varies depending on the type of fabric

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Washing machine
  • Soaking basin or sink

Materials

  • Water
  • Heavy-duty laundry detergent
  • Oxygen-based bleach
  • Chlorine bleach

Instructions

ingredients for removing dye stains

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

How to Remove Dye Transfer Stains From Colored Clothes

  1. Check the Entire Load for Stains

    • Find the color-bleeding culprit and pull it out of the washer.
    • Set it aside for washing later with similar colors.
    • Carefully check each remaining piece of laundry for discoloration or stains.
    • Items that did not get color bleed can go into the dryer or on a clothesline.
    rewashing clothing with bleach and detergent

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska 

  2. Rewash Colored Clothes With Oxygen-Based Bleach and Detergent

    Rewash all dyed-stained colored or synthetic fabric clothing using a nonchlorine (all-fabric or oxygen) bleach in addition to your regular laundry detergent. 

    Tip

    Powdered and liquid oxygen bleach work equally well; however, the powdered form is shelf-stable for several years, while liquid oxygen bleach only has a shelf life of six months.

    rewashing clothing with oxygen bleach

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Soak in Oxygen-Based Bleach

    • Soak the stained clothing before rewashing.
    • Mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach (such as OxiClean, Nellie's All Natural Oxygen Brightener, or OXO Brite) and cool water. Follow the package directions for how much product to use per gallon of water.
    • Submerge the stained items and allow them to soak for at least eight hours.

    Tip

    Oxygen bleach is safe for high-efficiency front-load and top-load washers and standard washers. It's effective at any water temperature; however, if your water is very cold, dissolve the powder in 1 quart of very warm water before using.

    garment soaking in an oxygen bleach solution

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  4. Recheck and Wash as Usual

    • After rewashing, recheck each piece of clothing for traces of dye.
    • Soak and rewash any items with unwanted color according to the garment care label.
    • Clothes that came out with the undesired color completely gone can go in the dryer. Or, air-dry until you're sure they're back to normal.
    inspecting the load a second time

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu  

  5. Repeat, If Stain Persists

    • Mix a fresh batch of the oxygen bleach and water solution.
    • Soak for another eight hours or overnight before rewashing if traces of the stain remain.
    • Do not use oxygen bleach on silk or wool.
    garment soaking in an oxygen bleach solution

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

How to Remove Dye Transfer Stains From White Clothes

  1. Check the Entire Load for Stains

    • Find the color bleed culprit and pull it out of the washer.
    • Set it aside for washing later with similar colors.
    • Carefully check each remaining piece of laundry for discoloration or stains.
    • Items that did not get color bleed can go into the dryer or on a clothesline.
    brightly colored item that has the potential to bleed dye

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu 

  2. Rewash White Cottons With Chlorine Bleach and Detergent

    Use 1/2 cup liquid chlorine bleach with all-white cotton clothing instead of oxygen bleach. Add the bleach to the dispenser or directly to the wash water with the detergent.

    adding chlorine bleach to the drum

    The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

    Tip

    Never use chlorine bleach on any colored clothes. Also, do not use it on synthetic fabrics like nylon or polyester.

  3. Soak in Chlorine Bleach for 5 Minutes, If Stain Persists

    • If the color bleed stain is still on the clothing item, mix a solution of 1 gallon of water and 3 tablespoons of chlorine bleach in a basin.
    • If you have multiple items, soak them separately.
    • Fully submerge the item for up to five minutes. You may notice the color coming off immediately. After five minutes, rinse out the bleach solution. If the stain is gone, wash it as usual.
    • If a trace of the color bleed remains, repeat for five minutes and rinse.
    soaking garments in chlorine bleach for five minutes

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu  

  4. Wash as Usual

    • Once all dye traces are gone, wash according to the garment care label.
    • Dry as usual. Or, air-dry until you're sure they're back to normal.
    Washing the garment as usual

    The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu

When to Call a Professional

If dye transfer has occurred on a dry clean-only garment, do not try to solve the problem at home. Instead, take the garment to a dry cleaner as soon as possible. Be sure to point out the stain and tell the cleaner what caused the problem. If you use a home dry cleaning kit, treat the stain with the provided remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag.

Additional Tips for Handling Dye Transfer Stains

  • Repeat if it doesn't work the first time: If an initial round of at-home stain removal doesn't effectively remove the stain, repeat the steps. You can also try applying a mix of equal parts baking soda and white vinegar to your stained item and letting it sit for a few hours. Although you should be able to remove your stain using the above methods, you may visit a professional cleaner for specialized advice.
  • Test other home remedies: Hydrogen peroxide, borax, and rubbing alcohol are also effective for removing dye stains.
  • Do a colorfast test: If you suspect an item might bleed on your other clothes, wet a cotton swab and rub it across an inside seam or hem. If dye appears on the cotton swab, it can bleed and stain your other clothes. Hand wash it separately or with like-colored clothes.
  • Try a commercial color run product: If several rounds of soaks and washes still don't remove the stain, consider getting a commercial color run remover product for the affected garment or rewash the item separately using a commercial color catcher sheet.
  • Handle new clothes carefully: Sort your laundry by lights, darks, and colors. Always launder new, colored clothing in a washing machine or hand wash it alone in a basin before introducing other items. Even fabrics labeled colorfast may take several cycles through the washer before dyes begin to set and cease to affect other clothes.
  • Empty pockets: Empty your pockets before machine washing, as debris in pockets can also cause dye transfer stains.
  • Clean the washer thoroughly: After a color-bleed incident, clean the washer by immediately filling the washer with hot water. Add one cup of chlorine bleach and run a complete cycle before washing clothes.
FAQ
  • Is vinegar good for removing dye stains?

    The acid in vinegar is suitable for removing dye stains. Mix it with equal parts water, spray it on the affected fabric, and let it soak in for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

  • Can hydrogen peroxide be used to get rid of dye transfer?

    Hydrogen peroxide is considered an oxygen-based bleach and is effective for removing dyes. Soak the item for 15 to 20 minutes in a bath of hydrogen peroxide and thoroughly rinse.

  • Can rewashing clothes remove dye stains?

    After a dye transfer mishap, never machine dry. Immediately rewash using detergent and an oxygen-based bleach or a pre-treating spray.