Why new coloured clothes bleed in the wash

Short answer: New clothes release excess dye in the first few washes. Wash new, strong colours on their own a couple of times, and you will avoid ruining light clothes in the same machine.

Excess dye

Dye that was not fully bound to the fibres during dyeing is rinsed out in the first washes. This is normal and not in itself a sign of poor quality. The amount drops with every wash, and after a few cycles most of the loose dye has usually gone.

Wash new items alone

For the first two to three washes, strong colours should be washed alone or with clothes of the same colour. After that the bleeding usually stops. Check the water or a light towel in the same load if you want to be sure. If no colour shows, the item can join the normal wash.

Red and navy

These two colour groups release the most, and they are what most often turn clothes pink or greyish. Black also bleeds, but it is noticed less, because it shows as a grey tint rather than a clear colour. Dark green and brown can also bleed at first.

Wash cooler

At 30 degrees less dye is released than at 40, because warm water loosens dye more easily. If the clothes are not dirty, 30 degrees is enough. A mild detergent for coloured clothes also helps, since it is made to protect colours rather than brighten them.

Sort by colour

The safest approach is to sort laundry into light, coloured and dark. Then a little loose dye in dark clothes cannot do any harm. A colour catcher sheet picks up some of it, but it does not replace sorting. Read more about sorting the laundry.

Do not leave wet clothes lying

Wet clothes left together in the drum after washing can bleed onto each other. Take them out straight away and hang them up. This matters most when new coloured items were in the load, but it is a good habit every time.

If the damage is done

Rewash the affected clothes immediately, while the dye is still wet. Dried dye sets and is much harder to remove. Do not put the clothes in the tumble dryer until you have seen whether the colour has gone. The heat can make the damage permanent.

New bedding and new towels

New bedding and new towels also release dye in the first washes and should be washed separately. Dark duvet covers in particular can stain a light sheet if they are washed together. See bamboo bedding.

The colour stays in the clothes

Even though new clothes lose a little dye at first, the colour holds well once the loose part has been rinsed out. Turn coloured clothes inside out, dry them in the shade and skip fabric softener. They then fade more slowly and look fresh for longer.

General washing

Wash at 40 degrees or lower, use a mild detergent and do not overdose. Hang clothes to dry rather than using a tumble dryer. The rest of the rules are in the washing guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is colour bleeding a sign of poor quality?

Not in itself. A little excess dye in the first washes is normal. If the bleeding continues after many washes, however, it is worth contacting the retailer.