So to help you avoid the shock, it’s time to learn what colorfast means and how to be sure you won’t have a laundry disaster.

What Is Colorfast?

Colorfast is the ability of a fabric or other substances to keep the same color without fading or running even if washed, placed in harsh light, exposed to perspiration, or treated with certain chemicals. The term, colorfast, was first coined in 1916 by the manufacturers of textiles in testing fabrics when exposed to light, washing, perspiration, and abrasion. There are now standards to rate fabric behavior when exposed to testing. The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists provides test method development and quality control materials for members in more than 60 countries throughout the world. Colorfastness during washing is categorized from one to five with the higher number being the better fastness. Textile chemists and home launderers know that there are many things that can affect whether fabrics retain their color or fade or bleed easily.

So, How Do I Know If My Shirt Is Colorfast?

All of this can be confusing. Why don’t they just tell you on the care label if the shirt is colorfast? Clothing manufacturers should tell you if the garment is going to bleed. After all, they are the ones that know how the fabric was dyed. Most don’t tell you outright because who wants to buy something that bleeds? But there are hints. If the label says “wash separately” or “wash with like colors,” that usually means that the dye isn’t stable and is going to bleed or even rub off. Blue jeans can turn a light-colored couch cushion blue because the dye rubs off. It’s even more important to heed the warnings when you have a stain to remove. The chemicals in stain removers are more potent than the detergents used in washing that are diluted in the washer. Obviously, bleaches such as chlorine bleach and hydrogen peroxide will remove color. But, other chemicals will remove color as well. That’s why you have to test for colorfastness.

Do the Colorfastness Test

One easy way to test if a fabric is colorfast is to dampen a clean, white cloth. Rub the wet cloth on an interior seam or hem of a colored garment. If any color comes off onto the white cloth, then the item is not colorfast and the dye will run when the garment is washed. For a more thorough test for specific detergents and laundry products, use the following tips:

  1. Mix one teaspoon of the laundry product (detergent, stain remover, chlorine bleach, or oxygen bleach) with 1/2 cup of warm water. Stir well to mix and be sure that any powdered formulas are completely dissolved.
  2. Turn to an interior seam or hem. If you are concerned that the solution will bleed through to the right side of the fabric, place a dry, white cotton cloth under the test area.
  3. Dip a cotton swab in the solution and dab it onto the test area.
  4. Blot the area with a white paper towel. If the color comes off onto the white paper towel, the fabric will bleed dye. If the color of the test area has changed or become lighter, the dye will bleed.
  5. If you have a garment with different colors (strips, color-blocks, or graphic print), test each colored area separately.