Cleaning Stained Colored Shirts

Set-in stains on colored t-shirts can be a real headache. Whether it's a stubborn blood stain or a pesky grease mark, dealing with these stains can seem like a daunting task. But fear not, there are effective ways to tackle even the toughest stains and restore your colored shirts to their former glory.

Step One - Pre-Treating the Stain

Before attempting to remove a set-in stain, it's important to pre-treat the affected area. Start by covering any stains with Dawn Platinum Liquid Dish Soap (paid Amazon Affiliate link) and lightly scrubbing the stains with the small Horsehair Laundry Brush (paid Amazon Affiliate link). Let sit for 30 minutes or more. I usually let it sit for at least a day or two and then, when I am ready to wash them, I spray the stains again but this time with Dawn Platinum Powerwash Spray (paid Amazon Affiliate link) and lightly scrub with the brush again.

Step Two - OxiClean Bath

Now it's time to soak them in OxiClean (paid Amazon Affiliate link) in your washing machine. I always add two Shout Color Catcher Sheets (paid Amazon Affiliate link) and one Carbona Color & Dirt Grabber (paid Amazon Affiliate link) into the washing machine. One Shout Color Catcher Sheets (paid Amazon Affiliate link) on the bottom of the load and one on the top of the load.

• If you can, do separate loads for different colors - especially red, blue, and black.
• Don't add detergent. Instead dump in two full scoops of  OxiClean (paid Amazon Affiliate link) and fill with water before adding the clothes.
• Use the hottest water setting you are comfortable using.
• Add the clothes, run the washing machine for five minutes, and then stop the machine.
• Let sit for six hours. I sometimes turn it back on for 30 second or so every so often during the six hours to mix it up again.
• Drain the water. For my machine, I turn the knob to "spin".
• Once you can hear no more water being drained, start the wash over again but add detergent this time, one more full scoop of  OxiClean (paid Amazon Affiliate link), and another Shout Color Catcher Sheets (paid Amazon Affiliate link).
• Toss into the dryer when done. But if you see shirts that still have stains that you want to try the process on again, don't put them in the dryer as that might set in the stain.
• Removing set-in stains from colored shirts requires patience and persistence. It may take several attempts to completely eliminate the stain, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't come out right away.

Step Three - The Last Resort

As a last resort, I use a 50% bleach and 50% water mixture to tie dye the clothing to help hide the stains. Another option is to cut the bottom off and make it into a crop top.

Other Tips

If the stain is paint, you can try hairspray and Latex Paint Remover (paid Amazon Affiliate link).

For stains like caulking, you can try Goo Gone (paid Amazon Affiliate link) and Goof Off (paid Amazon Affiliate link).

I never have to iron because as soon as they are out of the drier I lay them one on top of the other on my Amazon Basics Rolling Cart (paid Amazon Affiliate link) and let gravity do the pressing.

By following these tips and techniques, you can effectively remove set-in stains from colored shirts and extend the life of your favorite garments. Remember, prevention is key, so treat stains promptly and avoid letting them set in. With the right approach, your white shirts can look as good as new! Saving a shirt is one less in the landfill. Buying from my links above gets me a commission from Amazon which helps pay for this website so I can continue to provide helpful content. Thank you.