The Easiest Way To Save Your Whites If They've Turned Pink In The Wash

We've all been there before when unloading a load of laundry and realizing a new red piece of clothing was inadvertently washed with something white. Accidentally staining your white load of laundry pink or another color is a common laundry mistake, but fortunately, one that is fixable. Instead of bashing yourself for being forgetful, it's better to get to work at removing the discoloration. One of the best ways to restore your whites is to soak them in bleach.

Oxygen bleach is different from chlorine bleach and it's preferable when trying to remove stains from clothes. While they are both common household cleaning products, they have different chemical properties and uses. Chlorine bleach is a sodium hypochlorite solution. It is a strong oxidizing agent that kills bacteria, viruses, and mold. It is also effective at removing stains. Oxygen bleach, most commonly known as the brand OxiClean, is a hydrogen peroxide solution. It is a mild oxidizing agent that is gentler than chlorine bleach. It is not as effective at killing germs, but it is safe to use on colors and delicate fabrics.

To remove the pink color from white clothes without ruining the fabric, add OxiClean or another oxygen bleach to hot water in a basin or the kitchen sink so it fully dissolves and disperses. Then add some cool water to reach room temperature and add your pink clothes to the solution. Allow them to soak in the solution for up to 30 minutes before rinsing. Areas that still appear pink can be doused with hydrogen peroxide and allowed to sit for a few more minutes.

If you prefer chlorine bleach or it's the only kind you have on hand, you can use a quarter cup of chlorine bleach for every gallon of water. Measure the water and bleach and add it to a basin or the sink and then let your clothes soak. However, only leave them soaking for 5 minutes. You can mix the clothes around in the solution with a wooden spoon and be sure to use gloves to protect your skin. 

If you have a whole load of whites that have turned pink, add OxiClean or chlorine bleach as well as laundry detergent to your washing machine Run the load using hot water. Whether you clean one or two items or a whole load, if you notice the clothes still appear pink, rinse them off and repeat the process.