Clothes Washing Tips: Color Run

Labels

• Follow manufacturer's laundering instructions, found on the inside label, for most garments. Be sure to wash clothing at the proper temperature, using the right cycle and detergent. Use color-safe bleach only when the manufacturer's label advises it. Wash delicate items by hand.

Sort

• Separate clothing by color and fabric type before washing. Group together delicate fabrics, white and lighter colors, bright colors, denim and heavy fabrics, and towels. Washing garments with similar items will reduce friction damage to fabrics and make any color transfer less noticeable and easier to repair.

Pre-wash

• Prevent new clothes from running by washing them alone before wearing them. Denims, garments with appliques, and heavily dyed garments, such wools and cottons, are more likely to bleed and cause color stains than other garments. These items should be washed alone, according to manufacturer's instructions, before being worn or washed with other items.

Additives

• Adding vinegar and color-absorbing towelettes to the wash cycle can help prevent color bleeding and transfer. Add 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the washer with detergent to help clothes retain their dyes and stay bright longer. Commercial color absorbing towelettes soak up excess dye in the wash cycle and keep the dyes from damaging garments.

Removing Color Stains

• Carefully examine clothes for dye stains when removing them from the washer. Do not place dye-stained clothes in the dryer or hang them to dry, allowing the stains to set. To remove dye stains, immediately soak garments in a solution of water and vinegar or color-safe bleach for 30 minutes, then launder as usual.