We've all been there: a pesky bleach stain has left its unwelcome mark on your favorite dark clothes, towels, carpet fibers, or upholstery. When you realize you've accidentally spilt bleach on clothes, you might think that your garment or fabric is ruined, but there are a few tricks that can minimize the bleach damage. The most important thing to remember is: YOU NEED TO ACT FAST.
1. Rinse, Rinse, Rinse
- Flush the bleach with water for several minutes. Cold water! Yes, water temperature matters. Avoid warm water. Cold more effectively dilutes regular bleach and prevents further damage against accidental bleach stains.
- Absorb excess moisture. Dab the stained area with a dry, clean cloth to remove excess moisture. Avoid rubbing the bleach-stained item, as this can spread the bleach still trapped in the fibers.
- If the stain occurred on a delicate fabric, check the care label. You can always contact a cleaning expert or take your item for professional cleaning services.
2. Control the Side Effects
- Create a baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste. Apply it to the stain and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. The baking soda as a cleaning product can neutralize the excess bleach and absorb any lingering residue. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
- Pour lemon juice on the stain. The acidity of a quarter-cup of lemon juice helps neutralize the bleach and restore some of the lost color. Rinse well with cold water.
- Soak the bleach spots on fabric or the piece of clothing in a white vinegar solution. To remove stubborn stains from clothes with diluted vinegar, create a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts water. Soak the affected area in the solution for an extended period (30 minutes to an hour). Vinegar is also acidic, so it works the same way as lemon juice. *Important note: A vinegar and bleach mixture form a toxic gas through a chemical reaction. Before soaking the cloth with vinegar, make sure you've thoroughly rinsed as much of the bleach residue from the dark clothing item as possible to minimize the bleach concentration and active ingredients.
3. Attempt Color Correction
- Perform a rubbing alcohol transfer. Depending on the fabric type, sometimes you can influence chemical bonds and transfer dye from the surrounding fabric to the bleach-stained spot, minimizing discoloration. This cleaning solution works best for small, fresh bleach spots. Dip a cotton swab or a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and gently dab the stain in a circular motion. The alcohol can transfer dye from the surrounding fabric to the bleached area, minimizing discoloration.
- Use a fabric marker pen. As an alternative method, many small bleach stains can be treated with a fabric marker that's a close match to the original color. You might be tempted to use a permanent marker on a black garment—and honestly, that works too—but fabric marker formulas hold better when washed.
- Use fabric dye. If the bleach stain is large or the color loss is significant, consider using fabric dye:
- Be realistic. Small, light bleach spots are easiest to conceal. It's harder to hide large bleach spots, like the ones on my favorite "Celebrate Everything" t-shirt from Oxford Pennant (Go Bills). It can also be harder to match certain colored clothes.
- Choose the right dye to match your colored fabric. Choose acid dyes for protein fibers like wool and silk. Use fiber-reactive dyes for cotton, linen, and rayon (they bond permanently upon contact with fabric for excellent colorfastness). Disperse dyes are suitable for stains on synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon.
- Test the dye on an inconspicuous area of the colored garment or fabric first. The type of fabric makes a difference.
- Start with a lighter shade than you think you need. You can always add more dye, but you can't remove it, especially from lighter fabrics.
4. Repurpose
If you can't remedy bleach stains, get creative. Lean into the accidental spill and apply additional bleach treatments to build upon your stubborn bleach stains. Use a bleach pen to turn the stain into a purposeful pattern. Or, turn the entire garment into a bleach tie-dye creation a la the "reverse tie dye" trend. Even if a bleach product left spot stains on an item, that piece with bleached spots can still be repurposed into something new.
By following these tips and tricks, you can wage a successful battle against chlorine bleach stains and keep your darker color clothes and fabrics looking their best. Remember, bleach accidents happen, but with a little resourcefulness, you can reduce the severity of bleach stains and keep your wardrobe looking sharp.
