Q & A Forum Topics
Dye Bleeding in Shirts & Colour Loss
Back to topic listWhat is the problem?
The problem arises when they dye on a multicoloured or striped washable shirt transfers and bleeds into other portions of the shirt.
The problem arises when they dye on a multicoloured or striped washable shirt transfers and bleeds into other portions of the shirt.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
What does it look like?
Usually the dark coloured yarns will bleed during washing and stain other portions of the fabric creating an adverse appearance.
Usually the dark coloured yarns will bleed during washing and stain other portions of the fabric creating an adverse appearance.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
What caused it?
The fading and self-staining is due to the water soluble nature of the dyes in the dark coloured yarns. In some cases, the dye is so fugitive to water that simple perspiration or water-soluble spillage will cause local dye migration.
The fading and self-staining is due to the water soluble nature of the dyes in the dark coloured yarns. In some cases, the dye is so fugitive to water that simple perspiration or water-soluble spillage will cause local dye migration.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
Can it be prevented?
The launderer must assume that shirts labeled as washable can be safely immersed in detergent and water solutions without any adverse fading or staining.
If the original dye is not colourfast to water, then even the most careful washing procedures can result in serious dye loss or transfer. However, be sure not to press the shirt damp, as commercial finishing by contribute to dye bleeding.
The launderer must assume that shirts labeled as washable can be safely immersed in detergent and water solutions without any adverse fading or staining.
If the original dye is not colourfast to water, then even the most careful washing procedures can result in serious dye loss or transfer. However, be sure not to press the shirt damp, as commercial finishing by contribute to dye bleeding.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
Is there a remedy?
Unfortunately, in most cases there is no safe and satisfactory restoration. however, repeated washing will sometimes remove the transferred dye and return the shirt to a wearable condition.
Unfortunately, in most cases there is no safe and satisfactory restoration. however, repeated washing will sometimes remove the transferred dye and return the shirt to a wearable condition.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
COLOUR LOSS
Not all coloured fabrics are created equally. Some are woven from dyed yarns, some are dyed after weaving, and other fabrics are coloured by printing the surface, often with several different colours. Colour performance has improved with modern technology, but failures may still occur. The best way for the manufacturer to determine care procedures is through testing. Unfortunately, this is not always done, and sometimes items are dry cleaned or washed with poor results.
As a general rule, you have the right to assume that a properly cared-for white garment will retain reasonable whiteness for its normal life expectancy, and that coloured garments will retain their depth or brightness.
To ensure the best colour performance of our garments:
· Always read and follow the care instructions.
· Protect white and coloured garments from excessive exposure to light.
· Follow bleaching instructions on the care label.
· When in doubt, consult a professional cleaner.
Not all coloured fabrics are created equally. Some are woven from dyed yarns, some are dyed after weaving, and other fabrics are coloured by printing the surface, often with several different colours. Colour performance has improved with modern technology, but failures may still occur. The best way for the manufacturer to determine care procedures is through testing. Unfortunately, this is not always done, and sometimes items are dry cleaned or washed with poor results.
As a general rule, you have the right to assume that a properly cared-for white garment will retain reasonable whiteness for its normal life expectancy, and that coloured garments will retain their depth or brightness.
To ensure the best colour performance of our garments:
· Always read and follow the care instructions.
· Protect white and coloured garments from excessive exposure to light.
· Follow bleaching instructions on the care label.
· When in doubt, consult a professional cleaner.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
COLOUR LOSS IN DRY CLEANING
A dye that is soluble in dry cleaning solvent may severely fade during the dry cleaning process. If two or more dyes have been used and only one is solvent soluble, you may see a dramatic colour change. For example, the yellow component may be removed from a green garment, leaving it blue. Dry cleaning also may affect various pieces of a garment differently. For example, a dyed blue dress may retain its colour, while its blue-and-white surface-printed jacket may face, so that the blues no longer match.
Fading commonly occurs in household items, such as bedspreads and draperies. Often, it may not appear severe until the item is compared with a matching item. Matching bedspreads and draperies should all be cleaned at the same time.
A dye that is soluble in dry cleaning solvent may severely fade during the dry cleaning process. If two or more dyes have been used and only one is solvent soluble, you may see a dramatic colour change. For example, the yellow component may be removed from a green garment, leaving it blue. Dry cleaning also may affect various pieces of a garment differently. For example, a dyed blue dress may retain its colour, while its blue-and-white surface-printed jacket may face, so that the blues no longer match.
Fading commonly occurs in household items, such as bedspreads and draperies. Often, it may not appear severe until the item is compared with a matching item. Matching bedspreads and draperies should all be cleaned at the same time.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
WASHABLE AND WATER-BASED DYES
Some dyes bleed when laundered or exposed to perspiration, rain, or water. Since many stains require water and water-soluble chemicals for removal, even dry cleanable items should have water-resistant dyes.
Water can also cause problems with sizing, which is used to provide body in fabrics such as rayon. Water spills may cause sizing to migrate and form dark rings or streaks as it dries. These discolorations are difficult to remedy on dry cleanable fabrics because they require additional water to remove the sizing disturbance, and this may aggravate the problem.
Some dyes bleed when laundered or exposed to perspiration, rain, or water. Since many stains require water and water-soluble chemicals for removal, even dry cleanable items should have water-resistant dyes.
Water can also cause problems with sizing, which is used to provide body in fabrics such as rayon. Water spills may cause sizing to migrate and form dark rings or streaks as it dries. These discolorations are difficult to remedy on dry cleanable fabrics because they require additional water to remove the sizing disturbance, and this may aggravate the problem.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
WHITES
Most people do not think of white as a colour, but it is. Many fabrics naturally have an off-white or yellowish cast. White fabrics may even be treated with optical brighteners, also called fluorescent whitening agents, to enhance their whiteness. Some of these brightening agents are unstable and may lose their whitening power when exposed to light, giving the exposed fabric a yellow or gray hue or a pink or green cast. For example, the front of a sweater laid out to dry in the sun may turn yellow, while the back remains white. Brighteners are especially sensitive to light exposure when garments are wet.
Yellowing also may occur when chlorine bleach comes in contact with resins, which sometimes are added to impart a “permanent press” quality. You can avoid this by following the care label instructions for bleaching. Some white fabrics yellow from normal aging, oxidation, and exposure to atmospheric soils.
This process sometimes can be reversed by careful wetcleaning and bleaching. If not too severe, it may be corrected with a fluorescent brightener during the dry cleaning process or by using a laundry detergent containing brightener.
Most people do not think of white as a colour, but it is. Many fabrics naturally have an off-white or yellowish cast. White fabrics may even be treated with optical brighteners, also called fluorescent whitening agents, to enhance their whiteness. Some of these brightening agents are unstable and may lose their whitening power when exposed to light, giving the exposed fabric a yellow or gray hue or a pink or green cast. For example, the front of a sweater laid out to dry in the sun may turn yellow, while the back remains white. Brighteners are especially sensitive to light exposure when garments are wet.
Yellowing also may occur when chlorine bleach comes in contact with resins, which sometimes are added to impart a “permanent press” quality. You can avoid this by following the care label instructions for bleaching. Some white fabrics yellow from normal aging, oxidation, and exposure to atmospheric soils.
This process sometimes can be reversed by careful wetcleaning and bleaching. If not too severe, it may be corrected with a fluorescent brightener during the dry cleaning process or by using a laundry detergent containing brightener.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
LIGHT & CHEMICAL DAMAGE
Most dyes eventually fade with exposure to sunlight or artificial light. Colour failure may occur rapidly on exposed areas, such as shoulders, collars, and sleeves. Many blue, green, and lavender dyes are light-sensitive, especially on silk and wool fabrics. Household substances also can affect dyes. Be careful not to expose fabrics to alkaline toiletries, such as toothpaste, hair spray, perfume, or deodorant, which contain alcohol. The acidity of lemon juice affects some dyes. Bleach, one of the most common causes of colour loss and fabric damage, should be used with extreme care.
Most dyes eventually fade with exposure to sunlight or artificial light. Colour failure may occur rapidly on exposed areas, such as shoulders, collars, and sleeves. Many blue, green, and lavender dyes are light-sensitive, especially on silk and wool fabrics. Household substances also can affect dyes. Be careful not to expose fabrics to alkaline toiletries, such as toothpaste, hair spray, perfume, or deodorant, which contain alcohol. The acidity of lemon juice affects some dyes. Bleach, one of the most common causes of colour loss and fabric damage, should be used with extreme care.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
