Why colour transfers the first few times

Short answer: After dyeing there is always some surplus dye sitting loosely on the surface of the fibre. It rinses out in the first washes and can transfer to other clothes in the meantime. That is normal and stops on its own once the surplus is gone.

The surplus cannot be avoided

A dye bath holds more dye than the fibre can absorb, and the rest settles on the outside. That is needed to get an even, deep colour. Makers rinse after dyeing, but a little always remains. It applies to all dyed items, including long sleeve styles, however well they are dyed.

Heat and rubbing release the rest

In warm water and with mechanical movement, the surplus loosens faster. Heat opens the fibres, and rubbing in the drum pushes loose molecules into the water. That is why new dark bamboo joggers for men bleed most in the first warm wash, and why that first wash needs a little care.

Where the colour ends up

Loose dye in the wash water looks for something to bond to. Light and white fabrics are especially vulnerable because they have room for colour. The result can be a grey or pink tint on anything from towels to shirts. It also happens outside the machine, for example when a damp new dark top rubs against a pale sofa.

How to avoid the problem

Wash new dark items on their own at thirty degrees two to three times before mixing them with light colours. That goes for a bamboo boxer too, which many people wash with all their other underwear. You can also wash new items of the same colour together. Once the water stays clear, the surplus is mostly gone.

The first wash step by step

Turn the clothes inside out and choose a gentle programme at thirty degrees. Use a detergent for colours and skip bleach. Do not fill the machine completely, so the laundry can move freely in the water. Take the clothes out as soon as the programme ends and hang them up.

Watch out for wet laundry in a pile

Much of the colour that transfers moves after the wash, not during it. When wet clothes lie close together in the basket, loose dye can pass straight from one item to another. The same happens on a washing line if a dark and a light item touch. Hang things with a little space between them.

When it does not stop

If the water is still clearly coloured after five washes, that is unusual. It may be a dyeing where the colour is only held physically. Keep washing the item on its own at a low temperature and away from light clothes. If in doubt, ask the retailer.

Frequently asked questions

Can you test whether something bleeds

Yes, rub a damp white cloth against the item and see if any colour comes off. Do it somewhere hidden, such as the inside of a seam, so the front is not affected.

Do salt or vinegar help

The effect on finished dyed clothing is very small. Washing separately works better, and it is also the simplest method with the most predictable result.

How long does it last

Two to three washes for most colours, up to five for strong red. After that the loose surplus has rinsed out and the item can go in with the rest.