How can I remove color that ran on another fabric in the wash?

Gayle
by Gayle

Anyone know a foolproof way or recommend a product to remove color that has run on a multi colored fabric? Foolishly washed Christmas placemats and Santa ran into the white area. The placemats are woven

  12 answers
  • Dee Dee on Jan 04, 2019

    Try epsom salt and warm water, or dab peroxide on then rinse.


  • Try a dye remover.


    https://www.ritdye.com/instructions/how-to-use-rit-color-remover/


    I have never used it myself, but some people have had success with it.


  • DD DD on Jan 04, 2019

    Try RIT color remover I get it is the laundry section at my local supermarket

    • Gayle Gayle on Jan 05, 2019

      Thanks. I bought Carbona color run remover to try today. I’m guessing it’s probably the same as the RIT. If it doesn’t work I may see if a dry cleaners can get the pink off the white.

  • DD DD on Jan 05, 2019

    Carbona should work the same as RIY. Please let us know if it worked. Good luck

    • Gayle Gayle on Jan 08, 2019

      Carbona didn’t work. Going to look for Rit next

  • Laurie Laurie on Jan 05, 2019

    When a colored piece gets into my whites, I rely on a pre-treat spray of Shout - it’s always worked for me (not to mention being excellent at collar and armpit stains, ballpoint ink and everything else my family throws at me👍🏻).

  • Denise Denise on Jan 05, 2019

    I use Shout Colorcatcher cloths in my wash with all dark/multicolored and new clothes and never have a run problem.

  • Ann Blaylock Horn Ann Blaylock Horn on Jan 05, 2019

    The best I’ve found is Biz. Soak placemats in water with about 1/4 cup biz. Then add about the same amount to your wash. I’m 74 years old and have used them all. None beat Biz.

    • Gayle Gayle on Jan 05, 2019

      This sounds good since you’ve always had success. I bought Carbona Color run remover. If it doesn’t work I’ll try Biz. Is that something found in a grocery store like Shop Rite?

  • Margaret Margaret on Jan 07, 2019

    Hi,

    I am a quilter and have found the best way to treat a colour run is to use natural yoghurt.

    I spread it over the run and leave on the fabric for about 30minutes then wash as usual with the Sard's Wonder colour catcher in the wash as it should have been in the first place.

    I think the success is due to the enzymes in the yoghurt.

    This really works.

    Margaret in Brisbane Aus.

    • See 2 previous
    • Gayle Gayle on Jan 08, 2019

      Going to try the yogurt. The color run remover didn’t do a darn thing.

  • DD DD on Jan 08, 2019

    Gayle I hate to ask but did you put the placemats in the dryer? If so I'm afraid that is why you are having so much trouble the heat from the dryers sets the color :(

    Hope that is not the case and one of the many suggestion you were given will work, keep us posted

    • Gayle Gayle on Jan 08, 2019

      Yep dopey me didn’t realize the white was now pink. I did pull them out before they were completely dry because I was afraid they’d shrink. That’s when I realized the color run. The Carbona color run remover claimed to work even if the color had set from the dryer. I’m thinking I’ll ask the dry cleaners if they can help. I may be going to the extreme but I really love these darn placemats

  • DD DD on Jan 09, 2019

    Good Luck I'll keep looking just in case they can't help

  • DD DD on Jan 22, 2019

    Hi Gayle I hope the cleaners were able to help I have search and search and every article I found said once in the dryer the color is set :(

    So I am hoping you had better luck

  • Ellis Ellis on Jan 22, 2019

    I've used Carbona color grab sheets in the laundry when there are colors that might run, like a red and white striped rugby shirt. They work well, and I have used them once or twice after a "run" accident in the laundry, and they helped a bit. But I doubt they will work if the fabric that has the "run" in it has been put through a dryer cycle.