Washing White Clothing w/ Bleach

[Cindy's Mom]

I'm perplexed. Does anyone have a secret formula as to why when you bleach whites that have embroidery on it or a screen print....on certain pieces of clothing, the embroidery is untouched, but on others (usually your favorite things) the embroidery is bleached out. (my Mickey socks for instance)

The kids school gym shirts are white with black screen print on them. I bleach the heck out of them and they are unscathed

Any pointers?

 

[NikiM20]

I put the bleach and detergent in, let the washer fill up with water to dilute the bleach, Then add my clothes. I havent had any problems yet

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I had a pair of Mickey sox that got bleached, and only ONE embroidered Mickey lost color.

 

[jfulcer]

screen prints are not generally fabric so would normally not be affected by bleach. Sometimes. Anything with dyed thread can be bleached - it really depends on the dye. Luck of the draw!

 

[rcraw45425]

I monogram all of our bath towels. I have found that it depends on the embroidery thread used in the process. I use exclusively white towels and monogram with polyester thread ( Mettler, Madeira, etc) and metallic. I have never had my thread fade in the wash when adding the bleach (maximum amount) via the bleach dispenser. Are you using the bleach dispenser?

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I put the bleach and detergent in, let the washer fill up with water to dilute the bleach, Then add my clothes. I havent had any problems yet

I do this too, but I don't let it completely fill up, probably only 1/4 fill. I'll fill it up next time. THanks

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

It depends on the thread used for the embroidery. I remember some years ago we ordered socks from our usual vendor (dept store), and the navy blue socks had an odd beige color stitching across the toe. The salesman explained it to me, but it had something to do with the way the tread was dyed and treated, which cause the color to wash out.

As for bleaching whites, I start the machine and add the bleach and detergent, waiting for the bleach to dilute some before adding any clothes. I do have on pair of white french terry shorts that had navy embroidery.....until I washed them. The embroidery is now tan.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I've heard that you shouldn't add bleach at the beginning of the wash cycle because it reduces the effectiveness of the laundry detergent. I add it to the bleach dispenser on my washing machine.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

From the Clorox website: http://www.clorox.com/products/usage.php?prod_id=clb

The easiest way:

Pour Clorox® Regular-Bleach (scented or regular) into your bleach dispenser. If you don't have a dispenser, simply pour in Clorox® Regular-Bleach (scented or regular) along with your detergent as your washing machine fills with water. Use ¾ cup for a standard washer, 1 ¼ cup for an extra large washer. Add clothes after agitation has begun.

For best results:

Add detergent as washer fills.

• Then add clothes.
• After clothes are thoroughly wet and machine has agitated for 5 minutes, add bleach that's been diluted with one quart of water.
• Avoid pouring solution directly onto fabric.
• Adding diluted bleach after detergent has dissolved delivers a slightly brighter wash load.

 

[Cool-Beans]

For socks, I have a system (I have LOTS of systems with laundry.) Wash the socks one time with the hottest water you have (and plenty of it!!! Don't cram those babies in - they need room to swim through the soap and get clean!) and EXTRA soap. Like 30-40% more than you need.

Do a warm water rinse. It doesn't matter if all the soap rinses out because the next step is to wash them again with the hottest water and the normal amount of soap. Warm water rinse. Now do a second warm water rinse. If you use Downy, the second rinse at the end is the time to add it.

You don't need the bleach. My family has the cleanest socks around. Ask anyone who knows me. They all think my laundry systems are nuts, but admit that we have really clean clothes...especially socks. Like DH says about any wacky system I have, "It works."

I have the Mickey socks, too.