How to Get Rid of Dye Bleeds From a Quilt

How to Get Rid of Dye Bleeds From a Quilt
Written By
Mary Ylisela
Mary Ylisela
Published: Aug 18, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Step 1

Pour 3 tbsp. of white vinegar into a bucket. Add 1 qt. of warm water. Stir in 2 tbsp. of heavy-duty laundry detergent.

Step 2

Soak the dye bleed stains in the homemade prewash solution for 10 minutes. Remove the quilt fabric from the bucket and blot to remove the prewash solution.

Step 3

Laundry detergent makes an effective prewash stain remover.

Cover the stains with heavy-duty laundry detergent. Rub the detergent into the dye transfer stains and leave it there for 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 4

Rinse the detergent off the fabric with cool water. Mix 1 gallon warm water with 1/2 cup oxygen bleach in a bucket. Soak the stained areas of the quilt in the bleach solution for 10 minutes.

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Step 5

Launder the quilt according to the care label directions. Use heavy-duty laundry detergent and oxygen bleach to remove any remaining dye transfer stain.

Step 6

Hang the quilt to dry, out of direct sunlight.

Tips

Soak a new quilt in full-strength white vinegar before washing it for the first time. This sets the fabric dye and prevents color bleeding.

Heat from the dryer or sun can cause bright colors in the quilt to fade. Hang-dry your quilt, but not in sunlit areas.

Warnings

Avoid using chlorine bleach to remove dye transfer stains, as the bleach will remove the original fabric dye as well.

Photo Credits

Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images

Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

Mary Ylisela

Mary Ylisela is a former teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and mathematics. She has been a writer since 1996, specializing in business, fitness and education. Prior to teaching, Ylisela worked as a certified fitness…

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