First wash alone or with other things

Short answer: Wash new coloured clothes alone or with something in the same colour. The first wash is what decides whether other laundry gets stained.

Why the first wash is different

There is always surplus dye in a new garment that is not bound to the fibres. It is rinsed out in the first wash and can settle on everything else in the drum.

How to do it

Wash the garment alone at 30 to 40 degrees the first time. If there is no colour in the water afterwards, it can be washed normally from then on. See bamboo clothing for women.

A test without washing

Dampen a white cloth and rub it against a seam on the inside. If colour transfers to the cloth, the garment has to be washed alone. See bamboo t-shirts for men and bamboo bedding.

Frequently asked questions

How many times does it need washing alone

Often only once. Dark red and indigo can need two or three.

Does salt or vinegar help

The myth does not hold with modern dyes. A separate wash works.

Do whites need washing alone too

No, white releases no colour. It is light and dark that need separating.