Color bleeding and fading are concerns of textile importers and cloth owners. Clothes have to withstand repeated washes throughout their lifecycle without losing their color properties or bleeding their color to other garments.
It would be frustrating if the color of your go-to clothes is faded. We want to help you get through this and prevent your favorite clothes from being left at the bottom of your cabinet. But first, let’s know why bleeding and fading happen.
Why do color bleeding and fading happen?
Dyes on clothing fibers slowly disappear, making the clothes’ color bleed and fade. Even when the clothes are overdyed, the dye may not have been set well, or the manufacturer used the wrong type of dye. Moreover, the friction against clothes and other garments causes the dye to transfer.
It is crucial always to check the wash label of your clothes to know whether the dye bleeds or fades easily. If the clothes do not have any warnings about color wash off, it is likely colorfast. Colorfast clothes are more resistant to color bleeds and fade.
Let’s talk about how to prevent color bleeding and fading.
Ways to prevent color bleeding and fading to happen
Apart from buying high-quality clothes, some synthetic fibers retain color dye better than natural fibers and check the wash label before laundry. Here are some tips to reduce fading and bleeding.
- Always separate white, light-colored, and dark-colored clothes before dropping them off at the nearest laundry service. When dyes bleed, they will not discolor other garments.
- Turn clothes inside-out to reduce rubbing against other garments that lead to fading.
- Wash with cold water to keep fibers closed, trapping the dyes inside. Warm water will open the fiber and set free the dye. Do not forget to choose the right laundry detergent that works at any water temperature.
- Be careful of the laundry detergent you use. Some contain harsh chemicals that may release or bleach dye colors.
- When drying outside with a clothesline, remove clothes when it is too hot. Minimize the UV exposure of your clothes. It is best to dry them under a shade.
- Go gentle on every wash cycle. Some of us want to overstuff the washer and dryer to finish the laundry quickly. This often happens when you are doing laundry at a laundry service, and you are tempted to put everything in one go.
Some clothes do not have to be washed after use. Delicate clothes have to be washed as little as possible. You have to ask yourself if it is dirty and needs to be washed. But, if it only has an odor, you can use odor-eliminating products.
Final Thoughts
Color fading and bleeding are common problems with our go-to outfits as we frequently wash them. It may be the dye quality used on your clothes, but whether it is or not, it is essential to wash your clothes properly to prevent color bleeding or fading. Maintain the vibrancy of your garments.
