When colour runs onto other clothes in the wash

Short answer: New garments release surplus dye in the first few washes. Wash new coloured items on their own, use cold water and add a colour catcher until the water runs clear.

Why new clothes hold loose dye

After dyeing there is always some pigment left on the surface that is not bonded into the fibre. It rinses out over the first washes. Deep red, navy and black bleed most because they need the most dye. That is not a fault, but it becomes a problem when something white is in the same drum.

How to wash the first few times

Wash new dark items alone or with other dark items for the first three washes. Use cold or lukewarm water, because heat opens the fibre and pulls out more dye. A colour catcher binds whatever comes loose anyway. See bamboo clothing for men.

If the damage is done

Wash the affected item again straight away while the stain is still wet. Drying, and tumble drying in particular, sets the dye. A wash at the highest temperature the fabric allows together with a colour remover for whites handles most cases. Leave bleach until a plain rewash has failed.

How to avoid it in future

Sort by colour and not only by temperature, and keep whites separate for the whole life of the garment. New towels and new bedding bleed too, so they need the same quarantine. See bamboo bedding and bamboo towels.

Frequently asked questions

How many washes does a new garment bleed for

Usually two or three. After that the surplus dye is gone and the rest stays in the fibre.

Does a colour catcher work

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

Can dye transfer be removed from white clothes

Often yes, if you rewash immediately and avoid drying the item in between.