How to Test Clothes for Colorfastness

1. The Water Test — A Quick and Easy Way to Check for Color Bleeding

Before tossing a new shirt, dress, or pair of jeans into the wash, it’s always a good idea to check if the dye will bleed. The water test is one of the simplest and fastest ways to determine if a fabric is colorfast.

This test can save you from ruining an entire load of laundry by preventing accidental color transfer.

What You Need for the Water Test

• A white cloth or paper towel
• A small bowl of cold water
• A cotton swab (optional)
• The garment you want to test

Clothing Care Tip: Always test on a hidden part of the clothing, like an inside seam, hem, or inner lining. This way, even if the fabric bleeds, it won’t be visible.

How to Perform the Water Test

Step 1 – Wet the Cloth or Swab

• Dip a white cloth or cotton swab into cold water until it’s damp but not dripping.

Step 2 – Press Against the Fabric

• Gently press the damp cloth onto a small, hidden section of the fabric.
• Hold it in place for 30 seconds without rubbing.

Step 3 – Check for Color Transfer

• Lift the cloth and inspect it.
• If any dye transferred onto the white cloth, the fabric is not colorfast and may bleed in the wash.

What If the Fabric Fails the Test?

• Wash it separately for the first few washes.
• Use cold water and mild detergent to minimize bleeding.
• Add a color catcher sheet to trap excess dye.

Clothing Care Tip: If a garment fails the water test, consider dry cleaning delicate or vibrant fabrics to prevent fading and dye transfer.

2. The Vinegar Test — Checking Dye Stability Against Sweat and Stains

Some dyes break down when exposed to acidic conditions, making it essential to check if your clothing is colorfast against sweat, deodorant, and stain removers. The vinegar test is an easy way to see if your clothing will fade, discolor, or bleed when exposed to everyday elements like perspiration and detergent chemicals.

What You Need for the Vinegar Test

• White vinegar (not apple cider or balsamic vinegar)
• A small bowl of water
• A cotton swab or white cloth
• The garment you want to test

Why Vinegar? Vinegar mimics the acidic nature of sweat and deodorant, showing whether a fabric is prone to fading, bleeding, or discoloration over time.

How to Perform the Vinegar Test

Step 1 – Prepare the Vinegar Solution

• Mix one part white vinegar with two parts cold water in a small bowl.

Step 2 – Apply to the Fabric

• Dip a cotton swab or white cloth into the vinegar solution.
• Dab it onto a hidden part of the fabric, such as an inside seam, collar, or hemline.

Step 3 – Wait and Check for Color Transfer

• Let it sit for 30 seconds without rubbing.
• Check the swab or cloth—if dye transferred, the garment is not colorfast.

What If the Fabric Fails the Test?

• Avoid using harsh stain removers or acidic detergents.
• Wash in cold water with a gentle detergent.
• Consider dry cleaning delicate or high-risk fabrics to preserve color.

3. The Detergent Test — Simulating a Machine Wash

Ever wonder if your new blouse, denim jeans, or wool sweater will survive its first wash without fading or bleeding color? While testing with water or vinegar can show some dye issues, the detergent test gives you a real-world preview of how a garment will react in a machine wash cycle.

What You Need for the Detergent Test

• Mild liquid laundry detergent (avoid bleach-based formulas)
• A small bowl of warm water
• A white cloth or cotton swab
• The garment you want to test

Why Warm Water? Most washing machines use warm or hot water, which can intensify color bleeding. Testing with warm water gives you the most accurate results.

How to Perform the Detergent Test

Step 1 – Prepare the Detergent Solution

• Mix one teaspoon of detergent into a cup of warm water.

Step 2 – Apply to the Fabric

• Dip a white cloth or cotton swab into the detergent solution.
• Dab it onto a hidden area of the fabric, such as an inside seam, underarm, or hem.

Step 3 – Wait and Observe

• Let the detergent sit for one minute before blotting with a dry white cloth.
• Check if any color is transferred onto the white cloth.

What If the Fabric Fails the Test?

• Wash in cold water to reduce the risk of fading.
• Use a color-safe detergent specifically designed to prevent bleeding.
• Consider hand washing or dry cleaning for delicate or dark fabrics.

Clothing Care Tip: If your fabric bleeds during this test, add a color catcher sheet when washing to trap excess dye and prevent color transfer.

4. The Rubbing Test — Will the Fabric Transfer Dye Onto Skin or Furniture?

Have you ever worn a brand new pair of dark jeans only to find blue stains on your hands or white sneakers? If this has happened to you, the cause could be a loose dye that was transferred through friction—a problem many fabrics, especially dark, vibrant, and untreated textiles, can have.

The rubbing test is a simple way to check if a fabric’s dye is stable or if it’s likely to transfer onto your skin, furniture, or other clothes.

What You Need for the Rubbing Test

• A dry white cloth or paper towel
• A damp white cloth or cotton swab
• The fabric you want to test

Why Use Both Dry and Damp Cloths? Some fabrics only transfer dye when they come into contact with moisture, like sweat or rain. Testing both dry and damp rubbing helps you check for potential staining issues.

How to Perform the Rubbing Test

Step 1 – The Dry Rubbing Test

• Take a dry white cloth or paper towel.
• Firmly rub it against the outer surface of the fabric (test an area like the sleeve, pocket, or hem).
• Check if any dye transfers onto the white cloth.

Step 2 – The Damp Rubbing Test

• Lightly dampen a new section of the white cloth with cold water.
• Rub the cloth on the same part of the fabric.
• Check for color transfer.

What If Dye Transfers?

• The fabric is not colorfast and may stain light colored clothing, furniture, or accessories.
• Avoid wearing it with white shoes, handbags, or upholstery.
• Wash it separately for the first few washes or consider dry cleaning.

Clothing Care Tip: If the fabric fails the rubbing test, try soaking it in a vinegar or salt solution to help set the dye before wearing or washing.