Name: Margo
Message: I really hope you can help me. I have two Polo shirts that got ruined because the color ran onto them and was absorbed during the wash. So now I have orange on a green shirt, etc. They are very expensive new shirts. Is there any way to get the color that ran onto the shirts out again? Thanks for any help you can give. The shirts have been wasshedm but not put in the dryer.

THe first thing to try is simply washing in very hot water. Unattached dye is much more easily removed in hot water than in cool water. Try this several times in a row, if necessary.

If washing with hot water does not do the job, then you can try Rit brand Color Remover. This might also remove the original color - there is no way to tell in advance whether or not it will. However, it is better to have paler shirts than shirts with obvious stains. Try the Color Remover only if the shirts are not usable without it.

If the color is pale after using Color Remover, you could possibly redye the shirts the original color. If you decide to do so, I strongly recommend against the use of all-purpose dye. You will get much better results with the use of cool water fiber reactive dye, because it can be used at room temperature, and because it is easier to use and much more permanent than other types of dye. The most popular brand of fiber reactive dye is Procion MX dye. You can mail-order Procion MX dyes from most of the dye supply companies listed on my Sources for Dyeing Supplies page, or via Amazon.) The easiest way to dye a solid color is in the washing machine; see "How can I dye clothing or fabric in the washing machine?".

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