How to Prevent Colours from Running in the Wash

Few laundry mistakes are more frustrating than discovering that a dark garment has changed the colour of an entire load. Colour running happens when dye is released from one fabric into the wash water and transferred to other items.

New, dark and brightly coloured garments may be more likely to release dye, but any item can cause problems if its care instructions are ignored. Sorting clothes, selecting suitable wash settings and removing laundry promptly can reduce the risk of unwanted colour transfer.

No method can guarantee that a garment will never bleed. However, the following steps can help protect your clothing whether you wash at home, use a coin laundry or choose a professional laundry service.

Why Do Colours Run in the Wash?

A garment’s colour comes from dyes applied during manufacturing. If some dye has not bonded securely with the fibres, it may be released when the item becomes wet.

Colour running can also be affected by:

• Washing new garments for the first time
• Using water that is hotter than recommended
• Mixing dark and pale items
• Soaking clothes for too long
• Using an unsuitable wash cycle
• Applying incompatible bleach or stain remover
• Leaving wet garments pressed together
• Ignoring care-label instructions

The fabric and dyeing process influence colourfastness, so two garments with similar colours may behave differently. Dark denim and strongly coloured red, purple, navy or black clothing deserve particular care during their first few washes.

Read Every Garment’s Care Label

The care label is the best starting point because it provides washing and drying instructions for that particular item.

Look for directions such as:

• Wash separately
• Wash with similar colours
• Cold wash
• Colour may transfer
• Do not soak
• Hand wash only
• Do not bleach
• Dry clean only

An item labelled for hand washing or dry cleaning should not automatically be placed in a standard laundromat machine. If you’re unsure what you can wash in a large-capacity laundromat machine, check the garment’s care label or ask a laundry professional for advice.

Care labels also identify the recommended water temperature and drying method. Following one set of wash settings for every garment may be convenient, but it can damage fabrics or increase the risk of colour loss.

Sort Laundry into Colour Groups

Separating whites from dark clothing is the most obvious step, but more detailed sorting can provide better protection.

Consider dividing laundry into:

• Whites
• Light and pastel colours
• Medium colours
• Dark colours
• Vivid or potentially unstable colours

A pale grey shirt may be safe with other light clothing but not with a new pair of dark jeans. Bright red towels may also need to be kept away from whites and pastels, particularly when they are new.

Clothes should also be sorted according to fabric weight and care requirements. Heavy jeans can create friction against delicate fabrics, while towels may shed lint onto some garments. A mixed load can therefore create problems even when every item is a similar colour.

If you are uncertain about a garment, washing it separately is safer than using a large load to test whether its colour will run.

Wash New Coloured Clothes Separately

New garments may contain excess dye that is released during their first few washes. Wash a new dark or vividly coloured item alone or with closely matched colours until you are confident that it is colourfast.

New denim should be treated especially cautiously. Dye from jeans can transfer not only during washing but also through contact with pale clothing, furniture or bags when the denim is new or damp.
Avoid soaking a new garment unless its care instructions permit it. The longer a potentially unstable dye remains in water, the more opportunity it may have to transfer.

Some colour in the wash water does not necessarily mean that the item is defective. However, excessive or continuing colour loss may justify reviewing the care instructions or contacting the retailer.

Use an Appropriate Water Temperature

Cool or cold water is commonly recommended for everyday coloured laundry. It may help reduce dye release while also being suitable for many modern fabrics.

Cold water is not a guarantee against colour transfer. A poorly fixed dye can still run at low temperatures, particularly during an item’s first wash.

The care label should determine the maximum suitable temperature. Some laundry may require warmer washing because of its fabric, soil level or hygiene requirements. In these cases, the items should still be separated by colour and washing instructions.

When using a self serve wash, check the selected temperature before starting the machine. Laundromat equipment may offer several cycles, and the previous customer’s setting may not be appropriate for your load.

Choose the Right Detergent and Cycle

Use a detergent suitable for the garments and follow its dosing instructions. Adding more detergent than recommended does not necessarily improve cleaning. Excess product may be difficult to rinse and can leave residue on clothing.

Detergents formulated for coloured fabrics may be appropriate for some loads. Regardless of the product, check its instructions and make sure it is compatible with the washing machine.

Choose a cycle based on the most delicate item in the load. A standard cycle may suit everyday clothes, while delicate fabrics may require a gentler option. An unnecessarily aggressive wash can increase friction and contribute to fading or fabric damage.

Never use chlorine bleach on coloured clothing unless the care label specifically permits it. Oxygen-based products and stain removers can also affect some dyes, so test them on a hidden area before treating a visible section.

Do Colour-Catcher Sheets Work?

Colour-catching sheets are designed to absorb some loose dye circulating in the wash water. They may provide an additional layer of protection, but they should not replace proper sorting.

Their effectiveness can vary according to the garment, dye, water volume and size of the load. Follow the product directions and continue separating whites, lights and dark colours.

A colour catcher should not be treated as permission to place a new black or red garment in a load of white clothing.

Test for Colourfastness

If you are concerned that an item may run, you can perform a simple test when its care instructions allow:

1. Select a hidden section of fabric.
2. Dampen it using water at the intended wash temperature.
3. Press the area against a clean white cloth.
4. Check whether any colour transfers.

If significant dye appears on the cloth, wash the garment separately.

This test is only a guide. It cannot guarantee how the complete garment will behave during a full wash cycle, particularly if different sections contain different colours or materials.

Avoid Overloading the Washing Machine

Clothes need enough space to move, clean and rinse properly. An overloaded machine may reduce washing performance, increase rubbing between garments and leave detergent or loose dye trapped in the load.

Select a machine that suits the amount of laundry. One advantage of visiting a laundromat is access to different washer capacities. Rather than forcing several colour groups into one machine, use separate machines where practical.

A comfortably loaded machine will generally clean and rinse more effectively than one packed tightly with clothes.

Remove Wet Laundry Promptly

Do not leave wet garments compressed together after the cycle ends. Loose dye can continue contacting nearby fabrics while items sit in the drum, basket or laundry bag.

Remove clothes promptly, separate anything that appears to be bleeding and shake out garments before drying. Follow each item’s drying instructions.

Prompt removal also reduces the risk of laundry developing a stale or musty smell.

What Should You Do If Colour Has Transferred?

Act before placing the affected item in a tumble dryer. Heat may make transferred dye more difficult to remove.

Take these steps:

1. Separate the garment that released the dye.
2. Check the care labels on all affected items.
3. Rewash the stained clothing promptly using an appropriate method.
4. Use a suitable colour-run or stain-removal product only if permitted.
5. Test the product on a hidden section first.
6. Seek professional advice for delicate, valuable or dry-clean-only garments.

Do not combine cleaning chemicals or use aggressive home remedies that conflict with the care label. An unsuitable treatment may fade the original colour or damage the fabric.

Preventing Colour Transfer at a Coin Laundry

A little preparation can make a self-service laundry visit easier:

• Sort clothes before leaving home.
• Use separate bags for whites, lights and darks.
• Keep new garments apart from established clothing.
• Check the washer drum for forgotten items.
• Confirm the water temperature and cycle.
• Choose a machine with enough capacity.
• Set a timer and remove laundry promptly.
• Ask for assistance if you are unsure how to use the machine.

If you would prefer someone else to manage the process, a wash-and-fold or pickup and delivery laundry service may be more convenient. Tell the provider about new, delicate or potentially colour-bleeding garments and provide any relevant care instructions.

Sort First and Dry Last

The best protection against colour running is careful sorting supported by the correct temperature, detergent and wash cycle. Treat new denim and vivid garments cautiously, follow their care labels and avoid overcrowding the machine.

Most importantly, inspect the load before transferring it to a dryer. If dye has moved from one garment to another, acting while the fabric is still wet gives you a better opportunity to address the problem before heat makes the stain more difficult to remove.