Why Do New Clothes Bleed Color? Causes, Fixes & Expert Laundry Tips
Washing new outfits and noticing color bleeding could be due to multiple reasons. The problem here is that it also damages other outfits, along with the new ones, making it difficult to care for your clothes. The contact of hot water releases dyes that bleed color. For the solution, you can contact a professional to determine the rebasons why new clothes bleed color.
With the expert’s guidance, you’ll be able to know what to avoid to prevent color bleeding in clothes. You’ll also learn about choosing the right bleach for colored clothes to maintain their shape and vibrant texture.
Here are the tips that’ll help you understand the causes of color bleeding and their solutions to prevent color bleeding.
What is Color Bleeding in Clothes & Why Does It Happen?
New clothes bleed color when the dye seeps from the fabric due to poor dyeing and transfers to another garment. The reason for such an outcome is not separating colored and white fabrics.
Moreover, new ones often hold more dye as compared to the older ones, which means washing them separately would be the correct solution. For example, if you wash a brand new jeans that is also dark colored with a light or white shirt, the shirt can have spots or irregular parts of coloring transferred to it with the color of the jeans.
Also Read – If you feel like the size of your clothes is getting smaller after every wash, read our blog on how to stop clothes from shrinking for details.
Common Causes of Color Bleeding in Laundry
Most people are unaware of the reasons why their clothes bleed color during the wash. They simply toss their clothes in the washing machine without reading the care label and fail to take precautions. Their clothes bleed color, which also damages other fabrics.
Here are the common causes of fabric dye bleeding that can ruin the quality of your outfits.
Excess Dye in the Fabric
New clothes bleed color because the dyes in the outfits don’t completely bond with the fibers. The excess and unabsorbed dye on the new fabrics bleeds color that appears on other fabrics. It not only ruins the new fabric but also the other light colored outfits, too.
Poor Quality Fabrics or Dyes
Another cause of color fading and bleeding is the poor quality of the outfits, which releases color immediately during the washing process. As time passes, the quality of the fabric gets dull due to multiple wears and washes. The color starts to fade, and in the worst-case scenario, such fabrics will bleed color. So, it would be better to remove such outfits from your collection.
Incorrect Dyeing Techniques
Incorrect dyeing techniques are another cause that makes outfits bleed color and damage other fabrics. It happens because of incomplete rinsing after the dyeing procedure. Moreover, the uneven heat temperature and chemicals not mixing properly leave dyes that bleed color during the wash.
Heat and Hot Water Exposure
Drying clothes under bright sunlight and exposing them to hot water during the washing procedure speeds up color bleeding. It expands and loosens the fabric, making it easier for the excess dyes to be released during the washing process. It not only increases the risk of color bleeding but also the color fading and fabric dullness.
Detergents & pH Imbalance
Harsh detergents, bleach, or cleaners with a high pH can strip fabric dyes from clothes. The strong chemicals destroy the weak bonding between the fabric and dye, resulting in colors that appear dull or completely washed out. Dark and bright clothes, in particular, are sensitive to these harsh chemicals, which can thus shorten their life with frequent use.
Also Read – Want to know the difference between the drying techniques? Read our blog on line dry vs. tumble dry.
How To Stop Color Bleeding in Clothes
Outfits that are bleeding color can be saved with multiple solutions. It can bring life back to your desired outfits and restore their color properly. Let’s examine the solutions to prevent color bleeding.
Wash Clothes in Cold Water
Cold water keeps the fibers of the fabric tightly together, preventing the dye from escaping. In contrast, hot water accelerates the escape of dye. Washing in cold water is, therefore, much kinder to the fabrics, which helps the clothes retain their color much longer.
Always Separate Colors
Sorting laundry is one of the simplest yet effective measures to help counteract bleeding. Always wash whites and light-colored clothing in separate loads from dark fabrics. That way, if a little dye should run, it does not ruin another garment.
Add Vinegar or Salt During First Wash
Adding a cup of vinegar or a handful of salt helps set the dyes in the newly bought clothes during the first wash. These natural substances act as fixatives, minimizing the risk of bleeding into the wash water.
Choose Gentle or Color-Safe Detergents
Gentle detergents that are either color-safe or dark-cloth safe should be used. These formulas contain no bleach and no harsh chemicals. They work wonders for both bright and dark clothing, keeping them looking new for longer.
Pre-Wash New Clothes Separately
New clothes often have excess dye that has not completely bonded with the fabric. Washing them separately during the first few washes helps prevent the extra dye from staining your other laundry.
Air Dry Instead of Machine Dry
Heat from the dryer opens up the fibers of clothes, allowing colors to bleed and fade. Air drying is a gentler alternative that helps maintain their true color and conserve energy.
With the above-mentioned tips, you can learn how to stop color bleeding.
Expert Laundry Tips to Keep Clothes Bright & Bold
Clothes that are bleeding color can be dealt with using some tips guided by an expert, like Love2Laundry. It’ll help you sustain the quality of your older outfits and protect the new ones from color fading. Here’s how you can prevent color loss in laundry.
- Turn clothes inside out before washing them.
- Prevent overwashing.
- Place color capture sheets between your clothes.
- Dry clean delicate outfits to protect the color.
Also Read – Getting confused while understanding the laundry symbols? Our blog on how to read washing labels will guide you through the process.
When to Choose Professional Laundry & Dry Cleaning Services
If you notice that your routine is becoming busier and leaving you with less time, consider contacting a professional cleaner like Love2Laundry instead of leaving clothes uncleaned. One of our best laundry services will take care of your clothes with modern techniques.
We also offer our customers free pickup and delivery, providing a convenient solution for their clothing. After scheduling the pickup, customers can relax while we take care of their outfits.
FAQs – Why Do New Clothes Bleed Color?
What causes color bleeding in clothes?
The main cause of color bleeding from fabrics is that the dyes are not set properly or are unstable. During the washing process, the water and detergent, when they come into contact with fabrics, release dyes that appear on other clothes.
How to wash new clothes so they don’t bleed?
The ideal way to wash new clothes and prevent them from bleeding is to soak them in cold water with salt or vinegar to prevent the dyes from bleeding. Wash them separately a few times and turn the garment inside out to protect the structure.
What temperature makes clothes bleed?
Hot water is the main reason that causes clothes to bleed color, as it opens the fibers of the outfits. So, it would be better to use cold water to wash outfits and avoid color bleeding.
Will colors bleed if washed on cold?
Cold water is effective in preventing color bleeding from clothes, but it’s not a proper solution. The reason is that outfits with poor quality and dyes will still bleed colors.
Summary
There you have it! A complete guide to learn why new clothes bleed color. Problems like poor fabric quality and excessive dyeing on the fabric can release color and damage other outfits. So, it would be better to opt for cold water washing instead of hot water.
Moreover, the causes of the color bleeding can be avoided if you separate clothes by color before starting the washing procedure. Expert laundry advice, like tips for washing and drying winter clothes, will help you.
