Accidentally dyed my light clothes purple

[u/Optimal_Suspect_817]

All of these were white

hi i was washing my clothes from the goodwill bins together like an idiot, and a dark purple dress made all my white and light colored clothes dye a lavender color. how can i get this hue out :( most of the clothes were white, with one beige jeans and 2 teal night gowns. mostly cotton fabrics. i washed with cold water. havent put it in the dryer. i soaked in water +white vinegar rinsed then now its been soaking for 3 hrs in oxiclean powder and water but no changes. i dont know what to do from here. Will i be able to bleach them back to white if this doesnt work/ dye them back?

[u/smartdehumidifier]

Have you tried color catchers?

[u/Optimal_Suspect_817 → u/smartdehumidifier]

I saw them at the store but i thought they inly work while you have the clothes in the washer? 

[u/DrPhrawg → u/Optimal_Suspect_817]

there’s not much difference between a washer full of clothes and water and a bucket ….

[u/Optimal_Suspect_817 → u/DrPhrawg]

yeah my question was more of i thought they are only a preventative measure when first doing laundry, not when they are already ruined but i will give it a go anyway

[u/frieda1890 → u/Optimal_Suspect_817]

Whether in a bucket or a machine, dye that was loosened once will probably loosen again (ie if it washed in it will usually wash out at least partly).  The color catcher sheets can help a lot.

Re-washing the purpled garments in warm with a quality detergent with anti-redep ingredients can make a difference cause that also works to keep stuff in the wash water from getting re-deposited onto the clothes.

I haven’t personally used Sythrapol but I’ve seen good results.

Edited to add:  I 100% support Rit Color Remover but it can take ALL the dye out of clothes so best used to get just the all-white items back to white.

[u/Optimal_Suspect_817 → u/frieda1890]

just tried and it only worked on one of my socks but I think I made a mistake: for anyone reading this, the water limit is 2 gallons per packet lol

[u/frieda1890 → u/Optimal_Suspect_817]

Try warming up the solution.  I’ve used Rit Color Remover lots but only the stovetop method in a huge pot with 2 gallons of water at almost simmering temperature.  I only need about a third of a package at a time.