What should I do if my jeans get dyed when washed?

Carelessness often leads to jeans ending up in the wrong laundry, where they fade and become unwearable. If you're one of the "lucky ones" whose jeans have faded during washing, don't despair. You need to act immediately and restore the original color. Here are all the ways to solve this "denim problem."

Recovery options

As soon as you realize your jeans have changed color, you need to act. Don't delay – avoid letting them dry completely and soak them quickly with Vanish OXI. This specially formulated product will prevent foreign dye from setting without damaging the underlying pigment. Using the cleaner is simple: dilute it in a basin according to the instructions on the package, and dip the stained clothing into the resulting solution. If the first wash does not help, then you should repeat the procedure several times.

A special universal anti-dye product, Vanish OXI, will help you get rid of foreign dye.

When the effects of fading are discovered on dried items, Vanish OXI and other similar products are ineffective. After drying, the foreign pigment penetrates deeply into the fabric and can only be removed with the original dye, which will lead to discoloration. Therefore, most housewives write off faded jeans, throw them away, or use them as garden waste. But instead of devaluing the garment, it's better to try to revive them using the following methods:

• re-dye jeans using dry cleaning (an inexpensive technology that allows you to evenly cover light-colored fabric with black or blue dye);
• dyeing jeans yourself (an extremely risky option, since it is unlikely that you will be able to dye the pants evenly);
• hide traces of shedding with decorative elements and cuts.

The last method requires creativity. For example, many paint stains are hidden behind decorative embroidery, special stickers, and patches. Rips and scuffs are excellent for concealing stains. If done beautifully and tastefully, old, damaged jeans can become fashionable designer pieces. However, such measures are best reserved for when the foreign pigment can no longer be removed.

A method proven over the years

If your white jeans are suffering from fading, you can try a tried-and-true folk remedy. This method has received both praise and criticism, but in a pinch, it's better to take a risk and try all possible alternatives. Here's how: soak the pants in a special solution. The key is to do this before the jeans dry out. Here's how to prepare the solution.

1. In a container of a suitable size, mix water and a grated bar of laundry soap.
2. Add starch and salt to the soapy water, citric acid and vinegar.
3. Dilute the solution with water heated to 50-70 degrees.
4. Stir until the liquid thickens.

A 12-hour soak in a mixture of water, laundry soap, starch, salt, lemon juice and vinegar restores the color of denim fabric.

Turn the damp, damaged jeans inside out, generously coat them with the resulting solution, and leave them in a basin for at least 12 hours. Then, load the pants into the drum and run a standard cycle. The item is washed separately from other clothes to prevent the shedding situation from happening again. It is advisable to enhance the effect of the color-restoring mixture and add a washing gel or washing powder with a bleaching effect to the tray.

How to prevent this problem in the future?

If light-colored pants have discolored, it means basic color compatibility rules were not followed during washing. Chances are, every homeowner has experienced this type of fading, and it's easier to prevent the problem than to struggle to restore the original color later. "Prevention" involves following a few simple guidelines:

• do not wash old and new items together (clothes from the factory will be too dyed during the first 1-3 washes);
• Do not load light and colored laundry into the drum at the same time (foreign pigment is always visible on white fabrics);
• classify as colored items not only bright, solid-color fabrics, but also items with prints, designs, or colored parts (even a small insert can fade and stain adjacent fabrics);
• do not exceed the manufacturer's recommended maximum temperature;
• sort clothes by fabric type;
• Choose high-quality detergents (powder granules dissolve worse, get stuck in the fibers, and turn into white spots when dry).

To prevent items from fading, it is recommended to use special color-repellent products.

When it's not possible to wash whites and colors separately, you can use special protective products. These are called dye traps and come in the form of wipes or tablets. The main thing is to choose the right dosage, put these items directly into the drum and buy a high-quality manufacturerBrands such as "Chameleon," "Topper," "Denkmint," and "Dr. Beckmann" have proven themselves to be effective. If your jeans are stained, you should take action before they dry completely. Then, soaking them for a long time can solve the problem.

   

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