How to Remove Bleach Stains from Colored Clothes

Did you just make the mistake of pouring bleach on a colored shirt while trying to remove some other stain, resulting in a discolored spot on your shirt? Although bleach is used to get rid of some stains, it can cause damage to the fabric depending on the kind of material it is. If such an accident has happened, do not worry; you do not need to give away your favorite shirt.

The best way to get rid of bleach stains is to avoid them in the first place. Do not put bleached clothing with unbleached colored clothing while putting clothes in the dryer. Also, when you have bleached a set of garments, do not forget to flush the dispenser with water. Furthermore, when pouring bleach, make sure that the colored clothes at a good distance from the machine or the bucket so that no splashes occur. Read below to find out what you can do to mitigate the damage if it occurs, and have the shirt return to its’ original appearance.

Method One (Using White Vinegar)

Things that you will require:

·      Paper towel / Clean cloth

·      Photographic fixer

·      White vinegar

·      Bowl

·      Water

·      Color remover (If required)

Steps that you will need to take:

1.   To start off, if you dropped bleach on the shirt just right now, use a paper towel or a clean cloth quickly, and blot the spot gently such that the towel absorbs the excess bleach present on the shirt.

2.   If you have photographic fixer at home, utilize it! It neutralizes the effect of the bleach, and can help you get rid of the stain before it even sets in. Dip a clean cloth in photographic fixer, and blot the stain with it if it is completely fresh. Keep dabbing the stain with the damp cloth till the entire stain gets saturated.

3.   Soak the colored shirt in cold water. If the photographic fixer was applied on a fresh stain, it is possible that the stain may disappear immediately.

4.   Very few people have photographic fixer at home which is why you can make use of some simple household ingredients to remove the bleach stain from colored clothes. Pour some white vinegar in a bowl, and dip a clean cloth in it.

5.   Now, apply the cloth to the stained area. Soak the affected area in white vinegar completely.

6.   Wash the stain with cold water. You will notice that the stain has slightly faded.

7.   Repeat step 4, 5 and 6 again till the entire stain gets off from the colored clothing.

8.   To dry the clothes, hang them outside in direct sunlight. This might bleach the entire garment slightly.

9.   In case the stain has had too much time to set in and white vinegar has failed to remove it, use a color remover, i.e., sodium hydrosulfite. It can be found at your nearby departmental store. The color remover removes the color from the entire garment, making it lighter but of the same shade and having no traces of bleach stain on it.