Bleach is helpful for cleaning, but it’s not always kind to fabric. Exposure to bleach causes colored fabrics to have faded, discolored spots.
We reserve bleach for use with our white towels and white clothes, but accidents happen. Sure, it's easy to explain accidental spills, and yes, bleach residue can transfer in the washing machine, but bleach products can also come into contact with fabrics during routine bathroom cleaning.
Do you wonder why yellow bleach stains appear on white towels? Yellow stains can come from excess bleach reacting with minerals in hard water or leftover detergent. To avoid this, always rinse towels well with clean water and avoid using hot water if you add a cup of bleach to the washing machine.
Also, If you don't use bleach but still experience towel discoloration, consider active ingredients in skincare products. Benzoyl peroxide will leave spots on towels and wash cloths. Take it from me; if you use these products, just commit to a life of white hand towels... no dark fabrics allowed.
Can white vinegar or baking soda help with bleach stains?
Not exactly. Neither white vinegar nor baking soda can restore the original color after a bleach stain. But they can help neutralize leftover bleach residue. If you're worried about excess bleach still sitting in the fabric, rinse the stained area, then dab with a clean cloth soaked in a mix of white vinegar and water. This won't reverse the stain, but it can stop additional discoloring and protect surrounding fabric.
While many stains on fabric result in permanent marks, there are a few things you can try before giving up on your bath towels:
1. Act Fast—Rinse the Fabric Right Away
If bleach is still wet on the towel, rinsing it right away with cold water can stop it from bleeding through the fibers. It won’t undo the damage, but it can keep the spot from getting bigger. Hold the area under cold water. Let the water saturate and run through the towel for a minute or two. Don’t scrub—just rinse away the excess bleach.
2. Try a Fabric Dye Pen
If the bleach stain is small and your towel is a solid color, a fabric marker might help. These are easy to find online or in craft stores. Pick a color that’s close to the towel. Dab it on lightly and let it dry. It won’t be a perfect fix for every type of fabric, but it can help the bleach discoloration blend in.
For areas too big for a marker, you can also soak a cotton ball in dye to treat the bleach-stained area.
3. Re-Dye the Whole Towel
If your towel has several bleach spots or a large one, think about dyeing the whole thing. Buy a bottle of dye and follow the directions for a dye bath. This works best on cotton towels. Pick a darker color to cover unwanted stains better. It won’t bring back the original look, but it can give bleach-stained items new life.
4. Use a Colored Permanent Marker
For quick cover-ups, a permanent marker close to the towel’s color might do the trick. Gently color in the spot and let it dry. This won’t hold up to many washes, but it can help in a pinch.
5. Turn It Into a Cleaning Rag (Whomp, Whomp)
Sometimes, there’s not much you can do. If the bleached spot are large or nothing else works, consider using the towel for cleaning jobs around the house. Go ahead, cut it up into smaller pieces. It may not be pretty, but it’s still useful.
6. Prevent Future Bleach Stains
- Always pour bleach carefully and avoid splashing.
- Don’t mix bleach in the washer with colored towels unless the label says it's safe.
- Avoid using hot water in the washing machine. It can set stains.
- Prevent yellowish stains by always rinsing white fabrics well. Many washing machines allow you to select multiple rinse cycles (mine allows up to five per load).
- Switch to color-safe bleach alternatives (a.k.a. oxygen bleach). It's less harsh and less likely to leave blotchy stains. If you use bleach pens, choose ones that are safe for colored fabrics.
FAQ
Can you reverse a bleach stain?
Not really. Bleach removes color from fabric, and you can’t wash that color back in. But you can cover it with dye or a marker, which can help hide the damage.
Why do bleach stains sometimes show up after washing?
If bleach gets on fabric but doesn’t rinse out fully, it can keep working after you wash the item. Heat from the dryer can also set the damage. That’s why rinsing right away is so important.
Can you use a cotton swab to treat a bleach spot?
Yes. If you're applying fabric dye or using a diluted vinegar solution to neutralize bleach residue, a cotton swab gives you control in small areas. It's helpful for small bleach spots or fine touch-ups.
