How to Fix Bleach Stains on Any Type of Clothing

Bleach is a commonly used cleaning product that sanitizes surfaces and brightens white fabrics, but it can also cause permanent stains. It lifts color as soon as it comes into contact with fabric, stripping the dye and leaving behind pesky spots and even holes if not treated quickly. The good news is that there are various ways to reverse bleach stains from colored, dark, and white clothes. Neutralizing the chemical is the key to preventing it from spreading and causing permanent damage.

Keep reading to learn how to fix bleach stains on every type of clothing using a couple of common and inexpensive household items you probably already have on hand.

What Is a Bleach Stain?

A bleach stain looks like a spot of discoloration and occurs as soon as a piece of fabric comes into contact with bleach. The chemical doesn’t necessarily “stain” the fabric, but it strips it of its dye, which is what causes the discoloration.

The longer the bleach sits on the fabric, the more it can spread and potentially even burn a hole through the garment. On colored and dark clothes, bleach stains typically look significantly lighter than the dye color, while on white clothes, bleach stains can leave a slightly yellowish mark.

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How to Remove Bleach Stains From Colored Clothes

Lemon Juice

1. Rinse the stain: Start by rinsing the bleach stain under cold running water. Don’t skip or rush this step, because removing as much bleach as possible is essential.
2. Apply lemon juice: Pour pure lemon juice into a small bowl, grab a clean and dry microfiber cloth and dip it into the lemon juice. Dab the bleach stain gently with the lemon juice, working from the outside in.
3. Wash as usual: Let the stained area dry completely, then wash as normal.

Fabric Dye

1. Wash the stain: Rinse the bleach stain under cold running water, removing all the bleach.
2. Find a color match: Find a fabric dye or fabric marker that matches the color of the clothing as closely as possible.
3. Apply the dye: Follow the fabric dye or marker directions carefully to re-dye the bleached area.
4. Wash the garment: Let the dye or fabric marker dry completely and follow the product directions to wash the clothing.

How to Remove Bleach Stains From Dark Clothes

Rubbing Alcohol

1. Wash off the bleach: Rinse the bleach stain under cold running water to remove as much of the chemical as possible.
2. Apply rubbing alcohol: Take a cotton swab and dip it in rubbing alcohol, then begin applying it to the bleach stain, working from the outside in. What you want to do is pull the color from the area surrounding the bleach stain onto the stained area to essentially re-dye it. Continue the process until the stained area has regained color.
3. Wash as usual: Let the rubbing alcohol dry completely then wash the clothing as usual.

Distilled White Vinegar

1. Wash off the bleach: Begin by rinsing the bleach stain under cold running water.
2. Mix a vinegar solution: In a small bowl, mix a cleaning solution with equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water.
3. Apply the cleaning solution: Using a clean microfiber cloth, apply the vinegar solution onto the bleach stain, dabbing it gently.
4. Let dry and wash: Let the stain dry completely and wash the clothing as usual.

Fabric Marker

1. Find a fabric marker: Select a fabric marker that matches the color of the bleach-stained clothing as closely as possible.
2. Apply the marker: Follow the manufacturer’s directions and apply the marker to the bleach stain to cover it completely.
3. Wash according to care instructions: Once you’ve filled in the bleach stain with the fabric marker, follow the garment’s care instructions and fabric marker’s directions to wash the clothing.

How to Remove Bleach Stains From White Clothes

Lemon Juice

1. Rinse the stain: First, rinse the bleach-stained area thoroughly under cold running water.
2. Apply lemon juice: For smaller stains, pour lemon juice directly onto the stained area and let the garment sit out in direct sunlight for several hours. For larger stains, soak the clothing in a solution of a quarter cup of lemon juice and a gallon of hot water. Wring out and let it sit in direct sunlight for multiple hours.
3. Wash as usual: Once you’ve allowed the lemon juice to neutralize the bleach, wash the clothing as usual and repeat the process if necessary.

Baking Soda Paste

1. Rinse the stain: Thoroughly rinse the stain under cold running water.
2. Make a paste: In a small bowl, mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste. You’ll need approximately three parts baking soda to one part water, but adjust the amount as needed to make a thick but spreadable paste.
3. Apply the paste: Spread the paste over the bleach stain evenly, making sure you apply a generous coating of it. Let the paste dry and sit on the stain for at least 30 minutes.
4. Wash as usual: Scrape the paste off the clothing, then wash the clothing as usual to remove any residue and repeat the process if needed.

Dish Soap

1. Rinse the stain: Rinse the bleach stain under cold running water to remove all the bleach.
2. Mix a soap solution: In a small bowl, mix a quarter cup of Dawn dish soap and a cup of warm water, stirring well to combine.
3. Apply to the stain: Either pour the dish soap solution over the bleach stain or dip the stained area into the cleaning solution. Rub it into the clothing using a gentle toothbrush or sponge.
4. Wash as usual: Wash the clothing as usual to remove dish soap residue.

How to Prevent Bleach Stains

• Do not pour bleach directly onto a piece of clothing.
• Avoid using bleach when washing colored and dark clothes.
• When adding bleach to a load of laundry, read care instructions on each garment to ensure bleach can be used.
• Wear rubber gloves and old clothing you don’t mind getting stained whenever you use bleach.