Bleach stains that are usually yellow or orange in color can be removed by treating clothes with chemicals like white vinegar, sodium thiosulfate, and clothing dyes. The following HomeQuicks article elaborates more on the ways to get rid of bleach stains from clothes.
Caution! Whenever using synthetic chemicals for removing stains from clothes, make sure you wear protective clothing such as gloves to avoid skin exposure.
Bleach is a household chemical that has long been used for laundry purposes. When it comes to whitening clothes and removing stains, bleaching is usually the preferred choice. However, sometimes their excess usage can actually leave offending bleach spots on the clothes. So the bleach that is used for treating stains may actually mar the appearance of clothes if not used properly.
Ways to Remove Bleach Stains from Clothes
Dry in Sunlight
We often opt for chemicals to remove stains but forget that sunlight that can act as a natural bleaching agent. So exposing your clothes to direct sunlight can be helpful to lighten the bleach stains. To enhance its bleaching capability, dry the clothes stretched over a bush, shrub, or a lawn. This is because these plants when exposed to sunlight release oxygen, which itself is an effective bleaching agent. So this combination of sunlight and oxygen, both well-known for their natural bleaching properties, may work wonders in fading those unsightly stains.
Bleach Neutralizers
You can use sodium thiosulate to reduce the damaging effects of bleach. The chemical is essentially a bleach neutralizer that can help reduce the appearance of bleach stains. However, for the best results, it has to be used immediately after the cloth gets stained with bleach.
Soak a white cloth in sodium thiosulfate solution (made by combining a tablespoon with a cup of water) and then use it to sponge the stained area (do not rub) and then rinse. Its neutralizing effect will work to fade those offending marks. Other bleach neutralizers such as sodium bisulfate and sodium metabisulfate may be used in the same manner to help lighten those stains.
Rubbing Alcohol
The method is particularly useful for fixing bleach stains from dark clothes such as black or dark brown shirts and trousers. However, this method can slightly wither the color of the original garment, hence it is used for dark or colored fabric. The idea is to cover the stained area with the color of the garment. With a clean white cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol, gently start rubbing the bleach marks as well as the portion surrounding it. Continue doing this until the original color of the garment smears onto the stained area. Allow the affected area to dry and then rinse well.
White Vinegar
Sponge the stain with a clean white cloth dipped in white vinegar. Now all you have to do is wash the stained area with water. You may have to repeat this procedure if the stain has not faded away. The acetic acid in vinegar tends to strip away the stained part of the fabric that is causing the bleach stain to be distinctly noticeable.
Mask the Stain
Can’t get rid of it? Well, another option is to hide or mask it using fabric markers. With fabric markers, you can give your personal touch to clothes made from wool, silk, and cotton. These markers contain rich-quality pigment that mimics the original color of your outfit. Fabric markers are resistant to washing; they do not fade away even after multiple washings. So when you find that the stubborn bleach marks are not leaving your outfit despite washing it multiple times, opt for fabric markers to restore the natural color of your outfit.
Patch the Stain
You can also hide those offending bleach spots with a patch. It is a chemical-free way to deal with stains that won’t come out. You can patch it with the right color and shade that matches with your outfit.
Commercial Products
You may have to take the help of a commercial dye remover to lighten bleach stains that do not go away easily. A rust remover may also come in handy to treat such unrelenting stains.
Re-dying the Clothes
This is probably the last option for stains that do not budge. Firstly, remove the original color of your outfit by rinsing it with fabric dye removers like sodium hydrosulfite. Although an extreme measure, it works in stripping off the stains. Also, this gives you the option to re-dye your favorite outfit with the color of your choice.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a professional cleaner.
