The Kitchen Essential That Turns Pink Laundry Back To White In No Time

Despite our best efforts, brightly colored items occasionally end up mixed in with a load of white laundry. If the item you accidentally mixed in is red, you may discover pink stains on your white clothing and towels. Getting those pink splotches out requires prompt action and an effective method for removing the stains. Luckily, the kitchen essential that can turn pink laundry back to white in no time is vinegar. 

Those pink stains are caused by color bleeding, which is most common when clothing is new. When washed with other clothes or towels, the dye that is not fully set in the new clothes can transfer onto white or light-colored items. This color transfer is heightened when laundry is washed in hot water because the heat opens the fibers in the fabric, which enables more red dye to be released and absorbed by other items in the load. Depending on the amount of dye that is not fully set in your red piece, it may take several washes to stop the bleeding. For this reason, it is a good idea to wash darker items, such as dark pink or red alone to avoid color bleeding.

But if you've already discovered that red has bled onto your white items, getting rid of stains is one of the best ways to use vinegar around your laundry room. White vinegar diluted with water is effective for removing color bleeding stains. This method works to loosen up dye molecules due to the acetic acid content in vinegar. The acetic acid helps lift the color that was transferred onto your laundry without bleaching the fabric. This means that, unlike bleach, you can use this method on more than just white clothing, so it's great for saving your pale yellows, creams, light blues, and more.

Immediately after you take your laundry out of the washer and notice pink stains, don't put it in the dryer. The heat from the dryer will set the stains and make it much harder to get them out. The same is true of waiting to get the stains out. It is important to act quickly while the items are still wet to avoid the stain setting in the fabric.

While adding vinegar to your washing machine can help clean and soften your laundry, this method isn't strong enough to remove color bleeding stains. Instead, make a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the stains and allow it to sit for up to 30 minutes. Rinse in cold water and repeat as needed, if any of the stain remains. Another way to use vinegar for stain removal is to soak the item in a gallon of cold water with a cup or two of white vinegar. This is great if you have multiple stained items or they have an all-over pink tinge. Let the clothing soak for 30 to 60 minutes before rinsing and washing again. 

If all else fails, add baking soda to the mix, but you should think twice before washing dark clothes with baking soda, as it can cause them to fade. Make a paste with equal parts vinegar and baking soda. Scrub the mixture into the stain and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. The final step is to soak the clothing in a mixture of equal parts vinegar, water, and detergent before washing.