How to Stop Red Fabric From Bleeding

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Things You'll Need

  • Vinegar

  • Water

  • Sink

  • Color fixer

  • Drying rack

Seamstresses and crafters often encounter the issue of bleeding fabric. Fabric "bleeds" when the color dyed into the fabric runs, staining the water and any other fabrics in the water. White garments, such as socks or underwear, that have been accidentally tossed into the washer with a red garment come out pink. Fortunately, It is possible to "set" the dye in a red fabric, stopping the "bleeding" issue.

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Vinegar and Water

Step 1

Mix one part vinegar to three parts of water. Carefully immerse the fabric into the water/vinegar mixture so every bit of fabric gets wet.

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Step 2

Soak the fabric in the water/vinegar mixture for 20 minutes. Drain the water/vinegar mixture out of the sink and run fresh cold water into the sink. Completely rinse the water and vinegar out of the fabric.

Step 3

Squeeze as much excess water out of the fabric, drape it on a drying rack in your tub and allow it to drip dry. Wet the fabric and see if the vinegar has "set" the color. If not, repeat these steps again.

Color Fixer and Water

Step 1

Run hot water into your sink and add the color fixer to the water. Mix the water and color fixer with your hand.

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Step 2

Immerse the fabric fully into the water. Follow the instructions on the color fixer bottle and rinse the fabric completely.

Step 3

Squeeze all water out of the fabric and allow it to drip dry on a drying rack.

Tip

Keep washed fabric separate from unwashed fabric. Be careful when treating delicate fabrics with vinegar so you don’t inadvertently damage them.

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