New coloured clothes in the first wash

Short answer: Wash new dark items on their own for the first two or three times, in cold water and ideally with a colour catcher. That keeps the rest of the laundry safe.

Why colour bleeds

After dyeing there is a residue of unbonded dye on the fibre surface. It rinses out over the first washes. Deep red, navy and black give off the most, because they need the most dye.

What to do

Wash new dark items alone or with the same colour. Use cold water, because heat pulls out more dye. A colour catcher binds whatever comes loose anyway. See bamboo clothing for men.

When you can wash it with everything else

Once the water in the machine is no longer coloured after a wash, the surplus dye is gone. For most garments that is after two or three times. See bamboo clothing for women and bamboo bedding.

Frequently asked questions

Should new clothes be washed before first wear

It is a good habit. It removes both manufacturing residue and surplus dye.

Does a colour catcher work

Yes, it binds loose dye in the water. It does not replace sorting.

Does this apply to new bedding and towels too

Yes, and especially towels, which give off both dye and lint.