Testing for colorfastness is simple and can be done using items you already have in your home .
Getty Images / Kyryl Gorlov
If you ’ve ever read an article about thebasics of doing laundryor watched an instructional Laundry 101 video , you ’ve probably heard the term “ colorfast"—and figured it has something to do with fabric dyes . But what exactly is colorfastness , and how do you test for it ? Find out about this vernacular laundry term and how to tell if an article of clothing is colorfast .
Credit:Getty Images / Kyryl Gorlov
What Is Colorfastness?
Merriam - Webster delimit colorfast as “ having color that retains its original hue without fading or running”—in other words , a dye that stays put in its fabric . When an point of clothing is colorfast , its dye does not go or bleed in piss ( washfastness ) , scratch off ( rub fastness ) , or disappearance due to light pic ( lightfastness ) .
Colorfastness refer to dye that appease put in its fabric .
Dye transfer typically occurs in one of two ways : Exposure to water have dyes to scarper or bleed , or clash causes dyestuff to rub from one material onto another . The latter is called “ crocking , ” and it go on when apair of dark denim jeansleaves a drear hue on a light - bleached sofa you ’ve been sitting on , for example . The third type of colorfastness , lightfastness , does n’t ensue in dye transferral but instead refers to a fading core triggered by vulnerability to light .
How to Test for Colorfastness
Testing for colorfastness is simple and can be done using item you already have in your home . You require water , laundry detergent ormild dish soap , and a livid paper towel or white cloth .
Dilute 1 tsp . of detergent in 1 cup of lukewarm water and submerge a small part of the garment , such as a corner of the ahem of a shirt or the stage opening of a pair of jean , in the resolution . Allow the garment to souse for 2 to 3 transactions .
After soaking , remove the fabric from the detergent solution and blot it with a white paper towel or cloth . The item is not colorfast if dyestuff transfers from the garment to the white fabric . If no dye is present on the blanched cloth , the garment is colorfast and set no danger of dye transfer staining other item .
When and Why to Test for Colorfastness
Perform a colorfastness test on any items you distrust might have light dye . Red or Indigofera tinctoria garments are particularly prone to momentary dyestuff that can come loose in the slipstream or chafe off on light - colored clothing , accessories , or article of furniture . The same is true of neon and very brightly colored dyes .
Some fabrics , such as nylon and silk , can be less colorfast than others . Additionally , if you sew or quilt , you may want to discipline your framework for colorfastness before you begin a new project to prevent momentary dyes from ruining your handiwork .
Colorfastness and Indigo Dye
Indigo dyestuff , which is most often used to give jeans their key signature aristocratic hue , behaves differently from other dyes and gift its own set of dye problems . The first problem is that indigo dye are highly prostrate to losing their colour in all three fastness scenario ; they may not be washfast , rub fast , or lightfast . Indigo dye is also difficult to set completely ; most common fixatives do n’t function well on indigo dyes .
If you have indigo - dye wear with colorfastness issues , prevention is the best approach . lavation garments separatelyor with other indigo or glum items to preclude dyestuff transfer . entrepot indigo garments together or wrap them in tissue to keep off crocking . annul put on indigo - dye wearable with sluttish - tinge accessories , including shoes and traveling bag , onto which the denim ’s dyestuff might fret off . If potential , do n’t model on tripping - discolor upholstery , rug , or bed linens while wearing wear dye with indigo .
