Vietnamese 
English White clothes stained with color are a common issue that can occur while wearing them. This not only affects the aesthetic appeal when worn but may also lead to having to discard the garment if the color isn't corrected. In the article below, Thai Tuan LMS has compiled various methods to treat white clothes that have been stained with color, restoring them to their original white.
Causes of White Clothes Getting Stained with Color
There are several reasons why white clothes may get stained with color, with the most common reasons being:
- Not sorting clothes before washing: This is the most common cause. Washing white clothes together with colored clothes, especially new or colorfast garments, can easily lead to color transfer. Even clothes that are not prone to fading can still leave dirt on white items, dulling their appearance.
- Poor quality fabric: White clothes made from low-quality fabric that is not colorfast are more prone to staining.
- Using too much bleach: Using excessive amounts of bleach can damage the fabric fibers, causing colors to fade and become more susceptible to staining.
- Washing with water at too high a temperature: Washing white clothes in water that is too hot can also cause colors to fade and lead to color transfer.
10 Ways to Treat White Clothes Stained with Color
There are many home remedies to wash and treat clothes stained with color. Choose a method to restore stained white clothes to like-new condition.
Baking soda
Baking soda has many useful functions in home care, including washing and treating stains on clothing.
To remove color stains from white clothes, you need to prepare a thick mixture of baking soda and water. Then, scrub the mixture onto the stained area until you see it fading, let it sit for about 15-20 minutes, and then wash it out with clean water.
Using fresh lemon to wash colored-stained clothes
Lemon has a high acid content and can bleach color stains and dirt. However, soaking for too long or using too much fresh lemon can damage the fabric fibers.
- Method 1: Use lemon juice mixed with detergent. Soak the stained white shirt for about 20 minutes, then wash it out as normal.
- Method 2: Boil water with a few slices of fresh lemon, then let it cool. Soak the clothes in this water for about 1 hour, scrub the stain directly with a lemon slice, and then wash again.
This method using lemon is very useful, does not create unpleasant odors, and is easily accessible as it is often available in homes.
Removing stains from white clothes with vinegar
White vinegar is known to be a very safe cleaning agent, easy to buy, and cost-effective. For stubborn stains on collars, sleeves, etc., simply pour vinegar directly onto the stain and scrub or soak with a diluted solution.
If the clothing has color stains in multiple areas, soak it in diluted vinegar water for 30 minutes, use a brush to scrub gently, and then wash as normal.
If you're concerned about the sour smell of vinegar, you can wash it out and then dry it in the sunlight to help evaporate the vinegar smell.
Using hydrogen peroxide
In medicine, hydrogen peroxide is commonly used to clean wounds. Using hydrogen peroxide to treat color stains is absolutely safe, as it does not harm the skin and minimally fades fabric.
- Method 1: Mix hydrogen peroxide with water in a 1:6 ratio, then apply the mixture to the stained area and soak for 30 minutes.
- Method 2: Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and water. Pour this mixture directly onto the stained area, scrub gently with a brush, wait 30 minutes, and then wash out.
Treating white clothes stained with toothpaste
Did you know that toothpaste contains whitening agents to keep your teeth bright? Therefore, toothpaste can also help remove color stains from white clothing.
Mix a solution of toothpaste, baking soda, and vinegar, then soak the clothing you want to treat for 2-3 hours, after which you can wash it out and dry it.
Using fresh milk
Cold fresh milk is also effective for removing color stains, helping to clean spots and yellowing, while also making the clothes softer.
You should use plain, unsweetened milk to soak the clothing. Soaking with milk can be done for a long time without worrying about damaging the clothes.
Tip to remove color stains using vodka
Surely, each of us has bottles of vodka leftover from gift baskets during Tet holidays.
Similar to soaking with fresh milk, white vodka can also help eliminate stains and dirt on white clothes. You only need to mix vodka with water in a 1:1 ratio, soak the shirt in this solution for several hours, check if the stain has disappeared, and then rinse it out. It’s incredibly simple, right?
Potassium permanganate
Potassium permanganate, despite being purple, can bleach clothes when combined with a few drops of lemon juice.
Place a few drops of potassium permanganate on the stain and add a few drops of lemon juice; this combination will quickly eliminate any color stains.
Alum
If you have alum at home, you can use it as well. Soak a small amount of alum in water and mix it with detergent to wash the stained areas until you see satisfactory results, then rinse as normal.
Using alum will help the clothes become cleaner and brighter.
Aspirin tablets
Besides the methods above, you can also use Aspirin, a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.
How to do it: Dissolve 4-5 Aspirin tablets in 6-7 liters of hot water, wait for it to cool, and then soak the clothing for about 6-8 hours. You don’t need to wash the clothes again after soaking them in Aspirin; just rinse them with water, as Aspirin will clean the stains that regular detergent cannot, leaving the clothes surprisingly white.
Potatoes
Using potatoes can also effectively eliminate color stains. Slice fresh potatoes into thick pieces and rub them on the stained area, leaving them for about 15-20 minutes before rinsing.
Using specialized bleach - quick and easy
If you prefer not to go through the hassle of natural methods and want a quick solution, you can use a specialized bleach.
You can buy bleach or specialized whitening paper for white clothes, mix it with water and laundry detergent, then soak the clothes that need treatment for 20-30 minutes before rinsing them again.
Note: When using bleach, you need to wash and rinse thoroughly to avoid any unpleasant bleach odor and to ensure the fabric becomes softer.
There are many effective ways to handle white clothes that have been stained with color right at home, such as using baking soda, vinegar, milk, fresh lemon, or hydrogen peroxide. You can use whatever you have available at home for convenience and speed.
The above are methods for treating white clothes that have been stained, compiled by Thai Tuan LMS. We hope this information will help you resolve the issues with your white clothes and restore their appearance to look like new.
