Urgent--Need Help getting Die out of Shirts!

@jennybianca (12912)
Australia
March 28, 2008 8:22pm CST
Aghhh... I did some washing this morning, & I must have mixed some of my hubbys dark clothes with my daughters light coloured clothes. As soon as I went to hang clothes on the line, I discovered that two of her shirts have dark streaks in them. I urgently need to get them out. One of is yellow T-shirt made of cotton. The other is a pink tshirt made of 93% cotton & 7% spandex. The streaky blotchers are a navy type colour. I haven't tried getting them out yet in case I accidently set the stain. How do I get them out? My daughter will be most upset when she finds out, particularly the yellow short which cost her $20.00. HELP!!
4 people like this
9 responses
• United States
29 Mar 08
have you ever tried biz?thats what I use to get stains out,it usually even gets out set in stains,I use a 5 gallon bucket fill it with the hottest water you can get and the add a scoop or 2 of the biz,and then add your clothes,I suggest you let them soak at least a couple hours.Then wash them as usual.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
29 Mar 08
I have never heard of biz? Is this a washing powder?
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
30 Mar 08
Biz is an enzyme washing powder. It is good for stains from food and other organic sources. I do not know if it would work on color runs, though. An added note, I could not even soak my son's diapers in Biz, then wash them, and the enzyme made him break out.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
29 Mar 08
This one maybe tough as bleeds can be unfair. I think with dye bleeds, you aren't supposed to let the clothes dry as there may be a chance to get the dye out while wet. If the clothes dry, more likely the dyes are going to set. I'd try an equal mix of water and detergent and then try to rub that into the run areas. You can let the mix set into the clothes for awhile before you begin the cleaning. Using a rag, toothbrush or suitable implement, try rubbing and getting the stain out. Using a tablespoon of glycerol and a cup of water may do the trick too. I think this one is more toward general stains and dirt. Its at least worth a test. Peroxide is another option (homebrand type). For this option however, you want to test the peroxide on a descrete location of the cloth to check for discolouration.
2 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
29 Mar 08
Well I haven't let them dry yet, so maybe I have chance. I am going to try your method of mixing water & detergent on the actual areas. Do you mean dishwasing detergent?
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
29 Mar 08
I try dishwashing detergent, but other variations allow for low ph laundry detergents (or maybe diluting the mixture a bit further can help).
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
30 Mar 08
I followed your suggestion, but the dishwashing detergent I used is too cheap. although it has partly work. I am going to buy a much better one this morning.
• United States
30 Mar 08
Oh the luck! I have had some great clothing ruined by my hubby by his laundering mistakes. I lick my wounds and dig in the purse to buy new clothes.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
30 Mar 08
That may well be what I may have to do... not that I will be able to buy exactly the same shirts, which is what my daughter will want. You know, I only ever have this problem with her clothes.
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
30 Mar 08
In our laundry area, where you can buy home dyes, the dye company had a tint out color remover for just this problem. I would not try any home remedy, just go buy this item.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
31 Mar 08
I ended up checking the supermarket yesterday & found a product that is specifically for removing die from colours. It was expensive, but I bought it & am trying it right now. I never have this problem with other clothes, it is only ever with Bianca's clothes. Must be the"modern" material they make teenage clothes out of nowadays that attracts colour that runs.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
31 Mar 08
I always find that pastel colors scream out loudly, "Stain me"!
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
29 Mar 08
I've had that problem before and this is what I did, I put some liquid detergent on the stains and rubbed it in good till the detergent turned white. Then I put them in the washer in cold water. Once the water has filled up then I'd put a cap full of bleach in the water to help get the stain out. ONLY A CAP FULL or you'll bleach her shirt and other things. I wish you the best of luck!
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
30 Mar 08
Now you have suggested something very similar to The Programmer. I have started trying that idea, but the detergent I used is very cheap. So this morning I will buy a much better brand. Thanks for your help.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
29 Mar 08
May I add, do not ever use hot water when washing clothes because it sets the stains. Cold water gets stains out. Strange as it sounds, it's true. I never ever use warm or hot water, always cold.
1 person likes this
@nova1945 (1612)
• United States
30 Mar 08
Have you ever tried RITT Dye Remover? It is a powder sold in the same section as their fabric dyes. I have used it on really dingy/yellowed whites in the past and it seems to brighten them right back up to the old white again.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
30 Mar 08
I have not heard of it, but will check the supermarket this morning. It may only be available in the US.
@nova1945 (1612)
• United States
30 Mar 08
You may be right, I never thought of that.
@weemam (13372)
29 Mar 08
you can get something in the supermarket that takes stains out but not from synthetic fabrics only cotton I think , I think its stain devil but not 100% sure , I am sure someone else will help though pal xx
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
30 Mar 08
I am going to check the supermarkets out this morning. I think there is one to take die out of white clothes, but it is more difficult with coloured.
@mari61960 (4893)
• United States
29 Mar 08
Jeez, I just got 3 white shirts pink and red from a new red shirt that I forgot I put in the washer...then added whites and lights without thinking. I got it out using color remover and then bleaching them 3 times...lol I only had whites effected though so I'm not sure what to do about colored clothes? I hope someone else can help you out, good luck. Brightest Blessings, Mari
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
29 Mar 08
Maybe I should rush down to the supermarket & see if they have a "remover" for colour clothes!
• United States
29 Mar 08
Not sure you can.....but an old remedy my mama always used was vinegar.Try using about 1/2 cup vinegar in small cycle on just these pieces...see if that helps....good luck
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
29 Mar 08
I think I have vinegar & this would be an easy solution. Thanks.