How to Remove Bleach Stains

Why don't bleach stains come out?

Bleach lightens the colourant in fabric; the light mark that forms on coloured fabric is the dye leaving that spot. The lost dye cannot be brought back by washing, stain remover or any other cleaning product. That is why home mixtures and chemical experiments on bleach stains do not change the result; moreover, mixing bleach with other products is dangerous. The right approach is to stop the splashed bleach acting straight away and, if colour loss has occurred, to consider the options for covering the stain.

What to do straight away

• Rinse immediately: rinse the splashed area straight away with plenty of cold water, also running water through from the back; the less bleach stays in the fabric, the smaller the mark.
• Do not rub: rubbing spreads the bleach in the fabric and enlarges the mark.
• Do not apply other products: do not put vinegar, hydrochloric acid, limescale remover, ammonia-based products or any other cleaning product on the stain; products mixing with bleach can release toxic gas (can cleaning products be mixed).
• Wash: after rinsing, wash the garment on its own on the programme on its label with detergent for coloureds; any remaining bleach will not transfer to other laundry.
• Protect your hands: wear gloves when rinsing the area in contact with bleach; if it touches your skin, rinse with plenty of water; if it gets into the eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water for a prolonged time and get medical help.

Do bleach stains come out?

The mark formed when bleach lightens the dye in coloured fabric does not come out; the colour loss is permanent. However, if the bleach is rinsed off with plenty of water immediately after it splashes, the lightening does not progress and the mark can stay very small. On white cotton and linen fabrics, bleach usually leaves no mark; on these fabrics bleach is in fact used for whitening, if the label allows and at the dose on the product label (how to use bleach).

Bleach stains on coloured clothes

On black, navy, red and dark clothes, a bleach stain appears as an orange, pink or light brown mark; colour loss is less noticeable on light-coloured clothes. On jeans and T-shirts, the mark does not change with washing. Do not try to even out the mark by bleaching the fabric around it further; the fabric weakens and the stain grows. For the care of dark laundry, see how to wash black clothes.

Yellowing on white fabric from bleach

White fabrics containing polyester, elastane (Lycra) and nylon, and some white prints and appliqués, can turn yellow with bleach. This yellowing is also in the fabric itself and may not come back completely. Wash these fabrics with detergent for whites at the most suitable temperature on the fabric care label and do not use bleach on them from now on. For yellowed whites, see how to whiten yellowed clothes.

How to cover a bleach stain?

• Fabric dye: dyeing the whole garment with a fabric dye suitable for the material can even out the colour loss; follow the dye's instructions and bear in mind that the result may vary with the fabric.
• Tailor: for small marks, you can ask a tailor for advice on a patch, embroidery or appliqué.
• Valuable garments: for valuable and delicate fabrics, consult a dry cleaner or textile specialist.
• Stain removers and detergents do not cover colour loss; we do not have a product for this purpose.

Bleach marks on carpets, sofas and worktops

• Carpet and sofa: blot up splashed bleach immediately with a clean, damp cloth, then moisten the area several times with clean water and blot with a dry cloth; any colour loss that forms is permanent, so for repair contact a carpet or upholstery specialist.
• Worktops and stone surfaces: bleach can leave discolouration and dullness on laminate, marble and coloured surfaces; wipe up spilled bleach immediately and rinse with clean water (how to clean kitchen worktops).
• Metal surfaces: on stainless steel and taps, bleach left for a long time can leave stains; wipe it off immediately, rinse and dry.
• Wood: bleach leaves a light mark on wood; for repair, consult a furniture craftsman.

To prevent bleach stains

• Dilute bleach with cold water at the dose on the packaging; do not pour it directly onto dry fabric.
• When cleaning with bleach, wear old clothes or an apron and keep coloured towels, mats and textiles away.
• Use bleach only on white cotton and linen laundry, if the fabric care label allows.
• After using bleach in the washing machine, make sure no product is left in the bleach compartment before washing coloured laundry.
• Store the bleach bottle closed and upright; a dripping bottle leaves marks on clothes and floors.

What not to do

• Rubbing a bleach stain.
• Putting vinegar, hydrochloric acid, limescale remover or ammonia-based products on the stain.
• Trying to bleach the area around the stain further.
• Washing a garment splashed with bleach together with other laundry without rinsing it.
• Using bleach on coloured, woollen, silk and elastane fabrics.

For hotels, cleaning companies and laundries

Cleaning staff's workwear, towels and coloured textiles are the items most affected by bleach splashes. Wearing an apron when working with bleach, measuring and diluting the bleach, and keeping coloured textiles separate reduce losses. For workwear, see how to wash work clothes; for our products, see the bleach category; for bulk purchases, you can request a quote.