How to Remove Color Run From Clothes

At Hamlet Laundry Ltd (London), we see dye-transfer disasters all the time—new dark jeans in a mixed load, a red sock hiding in the whites, a “quick wash” that wasn’t so quick. Whether it happens in Canary Wharf (E14), Clapham (SW4), Abbey Wood (SE2) , Greenwich (SE10) , or Wimbledon / SW19 , the fix is the same: act fast and don’t set the dye with heat.

The fastest fix (do this first)

1. Stop and don’t tumble-dry. Heat can set dye transfer and make it harder to remove.
2. Keep the garment wet and rinse in cold water.
3. For most fabrics: Oxygen bleach (color-safe bleach) soak + rewash (best all-round method).
4. For white cotton/linen only (care label allows): a short chlorine bleach soak can work fast.
5. If it’s already been dried: repeat soaks may still help, but expect more than one round.

What “color run” actually is (and why speed matters)

Color run / colour run / dye transfer happens when loose dye leaves one garment in the wash water and reattaches to another. The biggest mistake people make is drying right away—many top stain-removal guides warn to air-dry and check before using the dryer.

A quick science note (why oxygen bleach works)

Many “oxygen bleach” products are based on sodium percarbonate, which releases hydrogen peroxide in water—one reason it’s widely used in detergents/bleaching systems.
You don’t need to be a chemist to use this effectively—just follow the label and give it time.

60-second decision tree (pick the right method)

1) Is the garment dry-clean-only, silk, wool, leather, or contains spandex/elastane?

• ✅ If yes → skip aggressive DIY. Consider professional help (see “When to call a pro”). Clorox specifically warns to avoid bleaching fabrics like wool, silk, leather, and spandex.

2) Is it still wet (not dried in a dryer yet)?

• ✅ Best odds → go to Method 1 (Oxygen bleach soak).

3) Is it white cotton/linen and the care label allows bleach?

• ✅ You can use Method 2 (Short chlorine bleach soak) as a targeted option.

4) Has it already been tumble-dried?

• ✅ Go to After-dryer rescue (still possible, just slower).

What actually works (quick comparison)

Method 1 (Best overall): Oxygen bleach soak + rewash

This is the most consistently recommended approach across major cleaning/laundry guides: soak in oxygen-based bleach solution and then rewash.

What you need

• Oxygen-based bleach (often called “oxygen bleach” or “color-safe bleach”)
• Normal laundry detergent
• A basin/sink + gloves

Step-by-step

1. Keep it wet. If you haven’t dried it yet, you’re in the best position.
2. Mix the soak. In a tub/sink, dissolve oxygen bleach in cool-to-warm water according to the product label (fully dissolve first).
3. Soak for time, not force. Submerge the garment completely and soak at least 8 hours (many guides use this benchmark).
4. Rewash normally with detergent.
5. Air-dry and inspect before using a tumble dryer.

Why this works (simple version)

Oxygen bleach products commonly rely on percarbonate/peroxide chemistry, which is used to help break down/bleach staining dyes in water-based systems.

Common mistakes we see (that ruin results)

• Drying “to see if it’s gone” (it can set the dye)
• Not dissolving powder fully (patchy fading)
• Using hot water on delicate blends (can damage fibres)
• Quitting too early—some transfers need a second soak

Method 2 (Whites only): Controlled chlorine bleach rescue (fast, but strict)

If a white garment picked up dye and the care label allows bleaching, a short bleach soak is a proven option—but timing and fabric choice matter.

Clorox’s guidance includes: ¼ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, soak up to 5 minutes, and avoid fabrics like wool, silk, leather, spandex.
Maytag provides a similar approach and emphasizes short soak windows and air-drying after.

Step-by-step (whites that can be bleached)

1. Check the care label: confirm it’s bleach-safe.
2. Prepare the solution (example): ¼ cup bleach per 1 gallon of water.
3. Submerge one item at a time for up to 5 minutes, watching closely.
4. Rinse thoroughly.
5. Wash normally, then air-dry and inspect before any dryer heat.

Important safety note: Never mix bleach with other cleaning chemicals.

Method 3: Colour-run remover products (when they’re worth it)

If the whole load got tinted (whites turned pink/grey, multiple items affected), commercial color-run removers can help—especially when oxygen bleach doesn’t shift it fast enough. Southern Living lists commercial color removers (e.g., Carbona) among common options for color transfer issues.

How to use them well (real-world advice):

• Use them as soon as possible after the incident
• Follow the product label exactly
• Avoid experimenting on delicate/dry-clean-only garments

If it’s already been tumble-dried (set-in dye transfer): what to do now

You still have a shot—just be realistic: it may take repetition.

1. Try Method 1 (oxygen bleach soak) and give it the full soak time.
2. Rewash, air dry, inspect.
3. Repeat once more if you see improvement.

Southern Living also emphasizes oxygen bleach soaks as a go-to for lifting color transfer, and notes checking colorfastness and avoiding setting stains.

What doesn’t work (or is unreliable)

People try these because they’re easy—but they’re not the best primary fix for dye transfer:

• “Hot wash will fix it.” Heat can make dye transfer harder to remove; multiple top guides warn against setting stains with heat/drying.
• “Just dry it and it will fade.” Usually the opposite.
• Random chemical mixing. Don’t—especially with bleach.

(Some home remedies may help in certain stain categories, but dye transfer is best handled with structured dye-lifting methods above.)

Prevention (so you never deal with this again)

1. Wash new darks separately for the first few washes.
2. Don’t overload the machine (crowding increases redeposit risk).
3. Use cooler water for high-risk loads.
4. If you use colour catcher sheets, treat them as extra protection, not magic. (They can help reduce dye redeposit in some cases, but they’re not guaranteed for heavy dye release.)

When to stop DIY and call a professional

Stop home treatment and get help if:

• The garment is silk, wool, leather, dry-clean-only, or has delicate blends (e.g., elastane/spandex).
• It’s a high-value item (suit, wedding outfit, designer piece)
• The dye transfer is widespread and you’re unsure which method is safe

London note

If you’re in London and you’d rather not gamble with a favourite piece, Hamlet Laundry Ltd can assess the fabric and advise the safest rescue route—especially for items from tricky loads we commonly see around Greenwich (SE10), Abbey Wood (SE2) , Clapham (SW4), Canary Wharf (E14) Service Location Wimbledon (SW19) .
(And if DIY is fine for your fabric, we’ll tell you that too.)

People Also Ask

Can you remove color run after it’s been dried?

Sometimes, yes—especially if you use an oxygen bleach soak and repeat it. Expect more than one round if the dye has set from dryer heat.

What’s the best way to get dye out of white clothes?

Start with oxygen bleach soaking. If the care label allows and it’s truly white cotton/linen, a short chlorine bleach soak is a proven fast option—but follow strict timing and fabric restrictions.

Is oxygen bleach safe for coloured clothes?

Often, yes—many guides recommend it as “color-safe bleach,” but you should still follow the label and do a quick spot test for delicate dyes.

How long should I soak clothes for dye transfer?

A common recommendation is up to 8 hours for oxygen bleach solutions (depending on severity and fabric).

Still worried about ruining your clothes? Let the experts handle it 🧺✨

If colour run has affected something you love — a work shirt, a favourite dress, delicate fabrics, or an expensive item — don’t risk trial-and-error at home. Some dye transfers need professional assessment and controlled treatment to avoid permanent damage.

That’s where Hamlet Laundry Ltd steps in.

Why Londoners trust Hamlet Laundry ❤️

We don’t just wash clothes — we protect them.

✔️ FREE pickup & delivery across all of London
✔️ Professional stain & dye transfer assessment
✔️ Safe handling of delicates, whites, colours & mixed fabrics
✔️ Modern equipment + fabric-aware cleaning methods
✔️ Ideal for busy professionals, families & urgent laundry needs

Whether you’re dealing with a dye-transfer disaster or just want your clothes cared for properly, we make it effortless.

How it works (it’s simple!)

• 📦 Book your pickup

• 🚚 We collect from your doorstep — FREE

• 🧼 Your clothes are treated with expert care

• 🏡 Delivered back clean, safe & ready to wear

No lugging laundry bags. No guesswork. No stress.