Black White Dresses

Washing a Stained Black and White Dress

How To Wash A Black and White Dress

Black and white dresses create a unique contrast that can be appropriate for nearly any type of gathering. However, the fact that black and white pieces of clothing have vastly different needs when it comes to the laundry room means that washing these dresses can be a challenge. Keeping the black from bleeding into the white while maintaining the brightness of the white portion of the dress is a matter of understanding how to deal with such a unique color combination.

About Black and White Dresses

Black and white dresses are available in a variety of styles that can be chosen according to the occasion. Casual maxi dresses are ideal for wearing over a bathing suit. Stripes or other patterns with alternating colors may adorn a more formal dress. Black and white dresses can be found in any type of fabric, and each fabric type will have its own special washing needs as well.

Washing Black and White Dresses

The best way to prevent dark clothes from bleeding onto white clothes is to separate them before putting any items in the washing machine. Unfortunately, black and white dresses pose a problem by combining these two colors in one piece. Many people opt to have their black and white dresses dry cleaned to deal with this issue, but the cost of dry cleaning clothing that is worn regularly can be high. Here are the steps to properly wash a black and white dress.

Washing a Stained Black and White Dress

This method is best used when the white portion of the dress has been stained. The first step is to apply a pea-sized amount of liquid dish detergent to the stained area. This amount of soap should be added to any area that is stained. Rub the soap across the surface of the stain to ensure that the entire area has been saturated.

The dress is then ready to be put into the washing machine. A cleaner with oxygen that is safe for use in the washing machine should be added. This cleaner will be used along with standard laundry soap to protect the contrasting colors of the fabric.

Hot water is recommended, but it is important to note whether the fabric can handle hot water. This information will be found on the tag of the dress. When the dress will be cleaned without other clothing items, opt for a water level setting that submerges the dress. Stains tend to settle back into the fabric if the water level is set too low during the wash cycle.

An Alternate Washing Method

The method detailed above works in most cases, but there is another option that works well when there are no noticeable stains set in the dress. Color catchers are cloths that are placed in the washing machine. Wash the black and white dress according to the instructions found on the tag. Add a color catcher to the washing machine before turning it on to keep dyes from the black fabric from bleeding into the white part of the dress. The result is crisp, clean lines that maintain the intended design of the clothing.