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It’s easy to get scared when you open the washing machine and see that the color has been transferred from one thing to another. But don’t worry, in this article we’ll show you how to clean unplanned stained clothes.
What you need to do first
You need to act quickly. Only then will it be possible to get rid of the paint:
The first and basic rule – do not dry your clothes! If you do this, the dye will stick to the fabric, and the item will most likely be damaged. If you don’t have time to deal with the problem right now, it’s better to soak your clothes.
After realizing that some thing has stained others, separate the colored things from the whites to avoid further staining.
Before removing paint stains that have fallen on clothes during washing, carefully read the label on the item. The information on it will tell you by what means the stains cannot be removed, and what temperature will be optimal for washing.
Further actions depend on what color the stained thing is.
How to get paint out of white clothes
White things are stained more often than others. But stains are easier to remove from them:
If your clothes do not have colored or black prints and there are no contraindications on the label, use oxygen-based bleach. For 4 liters of water, a quarter cup of the product (60 ml) is enough. Stir the solution and soak for half an hour.
If bleach is not suitable, use table vinegar. Fill a tub or large sink with water. Pour in a glass of vinegar and stir. Soak clothes for half an hour.
Drain the water in which the clothes were soaked. Rinse under cool water for a minute. Put the clothes in the drum of the washing machine and wash as usual on a low temperature.
If after washing the clothes still have traces of paint, use a stain remover. Soak clothes in water and add stain remover. It is better to look at the exact consumption of the product in the instructions for use. Be careful if your clothes have colored or black patterns, they may fade. After soaking, rinse the item, wash at low temperature and dry. Traces of paint should come off.
Chlorine bleach is not suitable in this case. It needs oxygen.
What to do if colored fabric is dyed
For colored items, the use of oxygen or chlorine bleach is contraindicated. Therefore, you can use other options:
If during washing one thing has transferred paint from another, the solution can be very simple. Determine which item is shedding. Wash the rest of the laundry again, separately from it.
If repeated washing does not help, try soaking the clothes in bleach for colored laundry. First, test the product on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric (such as under the collar) to make sure it does not fade. Soak clothes in water and add bleach according to the instructions for use. Soak for a few hours, rinse and launder as usual.
You can also try washing clothes with special sheets that trap paint pigments. You can buy them at hardware stores or online. 1-2 sheets are enough for one load. Add them to the drum with your clothes and wash as usual.
As a rule, a visible effect is achieved already with just repeated washing.
How to prevent staining of things when washing
You can prevent the problem of staining even at the stage of buying clothes. Pay attention to labels such as: “turn inside out when washing”, “do not use detergent”, “color will wash”, “wash in cold water”, “color may fade”. They say that the paint on the item is not stable, and it is highly likely that it will leak when washed. Choose clothing made from synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester. They retain dye better than natural items made from cotton or wool.
One of the easiest ways to prevent staining in the wash is to read the labels on your clothes. Many items, such as blue jeans, can shed in the wash. The label will indicate that the paint may come off, or a recommendation to wash separately from other items.
You can prevent staining by sorting clothes before washing. Separate white, light, dark and black things from each other. Wash them in separate loads so that the color doesn’t transfer from dark to light fabrics.
Do not leave clothes in the washer. Light-coloured items may stain if you forget to hang up the laundry immediately after washing. To prevent this, hang your laundry to dry immediately. Do not leave wet laundry in the drum. If you can’t hear the end of the washing machine from another room, set yourself an alarm on your mobile phone that will go off when the wash is finished. Some machines even come with a smart sensor system that will send you a notification to your smartphone when the laundry is done.
Never wash dyed fabrics at high temperatures. Because of this, the fibers of the fabric open up, and the paint flows down. Use a gentle cycle to reduce friction and prevent staining. For best results, use a cold wash detergent.
Over time, due to friction in the washing machine, the ink can separate from the fabric. If possible, turn garments inside out before washing. If the item cannot be turned inside out, wash on a gentle cycle to minimize fading.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.