Taking your husband's faded shirt or favorite dress out of the washing machine is extremely unpleasant. This happens unexpectedly, often even when washing rules are followed. No one is immune from low-quality dyes that can ruin clothes. Some housewives believe that in this case the product cannot be restored, but it is still possible to wash a faded item. What methods and means exist that allow you to return a piece of clothing to its original appearance, we will consider in our article.
Every housewife can face the problem of faded things.
How to wash a faded item
What to do if things fade after washing depends on what material they are made of, what color, etc.
Several groups of things can be distinguished depending on their color:
- Pure white color;
- Monochrome color;
- Combining several colors in one product. For example, with a multi-colored pattern or contrasting trim.
When a product has faded, when deciding how to remove the stains that have appeared, it is equally important to take into account the fabric from which it is made:
- Natural cotton and linen are durable fabrics that are resistant to high temperatures and strong stain removers;
- Synthetics. Items made from artificial fibers do not tolerate high washing temperatures and may not tolerate certain household chemicals. Before choosing a method for restoring color, be sure to read the instructions on the label or try it on a small piece of the same fabric;
- Wool and silk, although natural materials, also require careful handling.
If we see that a thing or part of it has changed color, we need to understand why this happened. Sometimes stains of a different color (lighter on dark things, yellowish or gray on white) may not appear because they were dyed during washing from other things.
Maybe they've just faded. This can happen from exposure to the sun, if, for example, the folded item has been lying in the light for a long time.
Discolored spots, especially small ones, can appear from exposure to any chemicals.
Faded areas cannot be restored. They can only be repainted using paints intended for this purpose. There is a solution to how to wash faded items at home, and it all depends on whether we need to wash white or colored items, an old or fresh stain. First, let's talk about how to restore snow-white products.
How to bleach a faded white item
If a white item has faded, then it is easier to restore the whiteness than the original color of a yellow T-shirt, for example, especially when you noticed this the very moment you pulled the poorly washed faded items out of the machine.
If, after taking a white dress out of the machine, we find colored stains appearing on it, then we immediately begin restoration.
With such a fresh appearance of unnecessary paint, it is easier to remove it, since it has not had time to penetrate deeply and eat into the fibers.
Here you can act in two ways. Firstly, establish the cause of faded things and eliminate it.
Then the faded items can be:
- Wash again with a heavy dose of powder and bleach. To increase the effect, add a teaspoon of regular soda. Wash at high temperature. Thus, it is permissible to wash a faded white item only if it is made of natural linen or cotton. For delicate or artificial fabrics, another method is better;
- Soaking faded items. To remove stains in this case, initially faded items are soaked in some solution that will help remove fresh paint. Then, after soaking, the faded items are washed by hand.
How to wash clothes so they don't fade?
Compliance with the following rules will help prevent the occurrence of such a problem:
- strictly follow the product manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the temperature of the washing water;
- observe the dosage of detergent, not exceeding it;
- wash light-colored items separately from colored ones;
- do not wash items of radically different shades together, for example blue and red;
- wash a new item before putting it on (this must be done separately, without mixing with other, not new items);
- Wash detachable light-colored items separately from outerwear.
Before washing items that are prone to shedding, it is recommended to soak them for 2-3 hours in a saline solution. This measure will allow the paint to adhere to the fabric.
Source of the article: https://protkan.com/uhod/kak-otstirat-polinyavshie-veshchi.html
How to wash a faded item: 11 methods, washing tips, using household chemicals, How to wash clothes if they are faded.
How to restore colored items
It is also possible to restore the color of faded colored items, although not always to their original freshness and brightness. It depends on the degree of coloring and the original colors. If the washed item still retains stains, you should not use many methods at once.
This will only completely ruin the clothes.
It is better to think then about painting things a darker color with special dyes or blue for blue things. In such hopeless cases, some people place an applique or sticker on the damaged area.
Ammonia
Ammonia or ammonia will come to the rescue of a faded colored item. They can restore the original colors when the item has become faded after washing.
- First, make a mixture of 5 liters of water and a glass of ten percent ammonia;
- Damaged objects are lowered into it for an hour;
- We rinse it several times and hang it in the fresh air.
Chalk
If a colored woolen item has faded, then you should use another folk recipe using chalk:
- Mix a kilogram of crushed chalk in 3 liters of water;
- Soak things in this chalk solution for half an hour to an hour;
- The entire time the product is in this chalk “soup” we stir;
- We take it out, rinse it in ice water, and repeat everything from the very beginning;
- During the last rinse, add vinegar to the water. It gives a fresh look to the coat and restores colors. Things will become the same again.
Dish detergent
If the fade is not very strong, then some people wash off the pale stains with dishwashing detergent. We thoroughly lather the affected area with this gel and leave it for a couple of hours. Then they are washed and rinsed by hand.
Removing faded stains on white clothes
Before you begin removing shedding marks, you need to take into account the specifics of using the product that will be used to remove it and the type of fabric.
The most common chemical products for removing faded stains include:
- chlorine-containing - for example, whiteness;
- oxygen bleaches;
- Vanish bleach;
- bleaching powders such as Atilin;
Chlorine-containing products, on the one hand, are highly effective, but on the other hand, they have a negative effect on the structure of the fabric. If you decide to opt for this method, we recommend doing the following:
- Soak laundry in diluted chlorine bleach according to instructions.
- Leave for 20-60 minutes.
- Wash and rinse the laundry thoroughly in cold water.
Oxygen bleaches are considered the most gentle on fabric fibers. They can be used both for soaking clothes and for washing, mixing with washing powder. On the packaging, manufacturers indicate the recommended proportions and duration of soaking to obtain optimal results.
Before you begin removing shedding marks, you need to take into account the specifics of using the product that will be used to remove it and the type of fabric
The most affordable and common chemical solution for removing faded stains is Vanish. You can use it to remove stains like this:
- Apply a little pasty powder to the faded area and thoroughly rub the mixture into the cloth.
- Leave for 15 minutes.
- Rinse the product in warm water.
If the stain is very large, then prepare the solution according to the instructions and soak the item in it for half an hour.
The results from Atilin and other whitening powders may not appear immediately, but only after two or three uses. The use of these bleaching agents will be more effective if you apply a 30-minute soak before washing.
Method for two-color clothes
Even attentive housewives often fade in two-color clothes, especially black and white or light with contrasting trim.
To restore black and white or other two-color clothes, it is recommended to use green tea.
The product is soaked in a strongly brewed and filtered drink for twenty minutes. Then, taking it out and squeezing it lightly, sprinkle salt on the light parts and leave it like that for another 20 - 30 minutes. After this, gentle washing completes the restoration. The item must be washed.
Chemical bleaching
Choose products taking into account the composition of the fabrics. If you have simple cotton, then you can save yourself with the most common bleaches, but it’s better to save delicate things. Many people do not know which bleach is best to choose so that it copes well with the problem that has arisen. Advertising works well. People buy expensive Vanish to whiten things, when they can find better products.
Oxygen-containing
Pay attention to oxygen-containing bleaches. They are more effective and gentle on fabrics.
Here is a list of those bleaches that have dealt with even heavily soiled and grayed items and have received many high reviews.
- Sail.
- Persol
- Chistin "Omega" without chlorine
- Saturday
- Economical
- Assa (blue)
These chlorine-free bleaches are highly praised on forums, which is especially important for children’s and delicate items.
- “I saved my white synthetic T-shirt with a blue Ass. I was very afraid to use any chemicals, but I was won over by the composition without chlorine. So, if you need to save a delicate thing, take an oxygen-containing product.” Anna.
- “Don't look for expensive drugs! We have been using Parus for a hundred years. Whitens everything very well. Add it regularly when washing, and you won’t wonder how to whiten a gray or yellowed T-shirt.” Sergey.
Chlorine bleach for yellow spots under arms
Among chlorine-containing preparations, Domestos and Belizna are the leaders. It is recommended to leave the item overnight in water with bleach. Moreover, it is recommended to pour it twice as much as indicated in the instructions. Then at the end you have a chance to get what you want.
- “I am very grateful for the advice to bleach a T-shirt, which faded during washing and turned gray with streaks, using Domestos. I finished it in half an hour.” Nikolai.
- “Only with Whiteness I was able to whiten the T-shirt under the arms and remove the yellow stains from sweat. Now I always use it when doing laundry.” Masha.
On our website you will find good recommendations on what to do if you sweat a lot.
- “Vigorous Domestos really whitens what, it seemed, should no longer become white. But after using it, you will be looking for ways to remove the smell of chlorine from things! So I saved my favorite cotton T-shirt and bleached it under the arms.” Michael.
Features of bleaching clothes made from different types of fabric
The type of fabric matters when choosing a bleaching method. In order not to damage things, you need to take into account the following points:
- Cotton and linen items and white jeans are not afraid of boiling. However, during the cooking process they may shrink slightly. They can be bleached by any means, including bleach and boric acid. However, soaking time should be kept to a minimum.
- Items made of wool and silk do not tolerate contact with aggressive substances. They can only be treated with liquid bleaches. An effective and safe folk remedy is mustard, soda and turpentine.
- Synthetic clothes are washed at a water temperature of no higher than 60 degrees. It is not recommended to bleach it using aggressive agents. You can use lemon juice and vinegar solution.
The more delicate the fabric, the more gentle the wash should be. The water temperature is reduced to a minimum (up to 30 degrees), and the use of bleach and acid-containing products is abandoned.
If you are not sure that the fabric will react normally to the detergent, first treat an inconspicuous area of it.
Important Tips
To prevent the bleaching process from becoming fatal for clothes, you need to use the following tips:
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for caring for the item. They are indicated on the label.- Do not use bleach too often, as it can cause fabric fibers to become thinner.
- You need to rinse your clothes thoroughly after the bleaching procedure.
- You should wear gloves when working with aggressive compounds. If the product has a pungent odor (ammonia, turpentine), then you additionally need to protect your respiratory system.
There are special napkins that capture colors (Brite, Paclan, etc.) . They are used when washing white items with colored inserts. This avoids fabric shedding.
Several more ways to return the original color to white items that have been dyed after washing can be found in this article.
Folk remedies for white
Many housewives, for various reasons, practically do not use chemicals in everyday life. If you don’t want to use chemicals, then try folk recipes for bleaching white, faded linen.
Boiling
Good old boiling will help remove faded blots and make your laundry snow-white again. For this you need 1 tsp. dissolve soda ash in a liter of water. The solution should be prepared in the required amount based on the weight of the laundry.
Things are immersed in the prepared solution and boiled for at least 30 minutes. The fabric should be constantly stirred so that the material does not burn to the bottom of the dish. It is very important to note that only fabric that is resistant to elevated temperatures can be boiled.
Soda
If the area of the stain is not too large, then you can save the item with soda.
To do this, prepare a paste of baking soda and plain water and apply it directly to the faded area. After 10 minutes, you can rinse the product and wash it in powder.
Homemade whitening mixture
You can also prepare a homemade mixture to quickly bleach stained fabrics. To do this you need to mix:
- 1 tbsp. l. potato starch;
- 2 tbsp. l. table salt;
- 1 tbsp. l. citric acid;
- 1 tbsp. l. bleaching washing powder.
All ingredients are thoroughly mixed and diluted a little with warm water. The output should be a paste. This paste is applied to the material only from the wrong side. The product should last 12 hours. After this, the item is rinsed and thoroughly washed or put in the washing machine. Some housewives also add 2 tbsp to this mixture. l. washing soap shavings.
Potassium permangantsovka
For many, this remedy will seem strange, but potassium permanganate really helps to bleach faded white fabrics.
In 10 liters of hot water you should dissolve ½ cup of washing powder and literally a couple of manganese crystals. The product must be immersed in the solution and left for several hours. After soaking, the item is washed and dried in the sun.
