Colourfastness Test
Before beginning your wash, it is important to determine whether or not your clothes are colourfast, otherwise you may end up with a messy wash with dyes running into other clothes! We recommend that you check the care label and do the colorfastness test.
If in doubt, do the following colourfastness test:
For soaking or washing: Dampen a small area of hem or inside seam with water, then iron a piece of white fabric or kitchen paper on to it. If any colour blots off, the garment is not colourfast.
For solvents (i.e. eucalyptus oil, methylated spirits, white spirit/turpentine substitute, nail polish remover, etc.): Dampen an inconspicuous part of the garment with the solvent. Blot area with a tissue. If any colour blots off, the garment is not colourfast with the solvent used.
Caution: Do not use an iron to test solvents.
How do I wash non-colourfast items?
Wash these items separately in cold water, and rinse immediately without soaking. Dry cleaning is safer for garments that lose a lot of colour, but check the care label first.
What should I do if I get dye run into other clothes?
If an accident should occur, there are reversal products, such as Dylon Run Away Dye Remover, available in most supermarkets and chemists. If an article washed in your machine has released a lot of loose dye, carry out a wash with no clothes before doing the next load. This will stop the loose dye affecting the next wash