Quck answer
If your white shirt got stained blue in the washer, there are a few steps you can take to fix the bleed. Firstly, do not dry the shirt as the heat can set the stain. Instead, soak the shirt in a mixture of cold water and oxygen-based bleach for at least 30 minutes. Then, wash the shirt again using cold water and a color-safe bleach. If the stain persists, you can try applying a stain remover directly to the affected area and washing it again. Remember to always follow the care instructions on the shirt and test any products on a small, inconspicuous area before applying them to the entire garment.
Have you ever experienced the frustration of finding a blue stain on your white shirt after washing it? This type of staining is called color bleed, which occurs when a blue sock or shirt accidentally gets mixed in with a load of whites, causing the entire load to turn pale blue. Blue stains on laundry can also be caused by excessive detergent or fabric softener that isn’t properly rinsed out. Here is a guide on how to remove blue staining from your freshly washed whites and how to prevent it from happening in the future.
Using Bleach to Fix Color Bleed
If a single blue item of clothing bleeds and stains a whole load of white laundry, follow these steps to fix the issue:
- As soon as you notice the blue stain, remove the item that caused the bleeding.
- Check the care label of each clothing item to ensure that it can be bleached.
- In a sink or bucket, mix 1/4 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Submerge the clothing in the solution and let it soak for five minutes.
- Rinse the bleach solution from the clothes using clean water.
- Allow the clothes to air-dry and check for any remaining stains. If the stain is still visible, repeat the previous steps.
- Once the stain is completely gone, wash the clothing again in a normal cycle to eliminate any bleach odor.
Important Note
If the care label is missing from the stained clothing, perform a bleachability test. Mix 2 teaspoons of regular chlorine bleach with 1/3 cup of water and apply one drop of the solution to an inconspicuous area of the item, such as the hem or the underside of the collar. Rinse out the bleach with clean water after five minutes and blot dry with a clean, lint-free white cloth. If there is no visible damage, you can safely bleach the item. However, keep in mind that chlorine bleach should never be used on certain fabrics like leather, wool, spandex, and silk.
Removing Blue Stains from Laundry Products
At times, excessive detergent or fabric softener can cause blue staining on clothing. Here’s what you can do to remove detergent staining from freshly-washed clothes:
- Soak the stained clothing in a plastic bucket filled with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar mixed with 1 quart of water.
- Allow the items to soak in the vinegar solution for an hour before rinsing them in clean water.
- Run a sanitizing wash cycle without any laundry to eliminate any excess detergent or fabric softener residue in the machine.
- Re-wash the clothing in a regular wash cycle.
Helpful Tip
If the stains were caused by liquid fabric softener, rub the stains with a bar of soap and then run the items through a regular wash cycle.
Preventing Blue Stains
By making a few small adjustments to your laundry routine, you can prevent most instances of blue staining in your washing machine:
How to Sort Laundry for Optimal Stain Prevention
When doing your laundry, it is important to sort it correctly in order to prevent staining. Follow these steps to ensure your clothes stay stain-free:
Step 1: Sort your laundry into different loads
Start by separating your laundry into three main categories: whites, light/pastel colors, and dark colors (like black and navy blue). By doing this, you can prevent color bleed from ruining your clothes. Although accidents can happen, sorting your laundry carefully reduces the risk of staining.
Step 2: Be cautious when using detergent or fabric softener
To avoid staining caused by the blue dyes present in some laundry products, make sure not to overfill the detergent or fabric softener dispenser. Overfilling can cause the dyes to transfer onto your clothes, leading to unwanted stains. By being mindful of the amount you use, you can prevent this from happening.
