Dark denim "staining"

Kyle

I have a pair of dark denim "Seven" bellbottom jeans. I've washed them once, according to instructions, and the dark denim is transferring to my hands (and probably other things) quite noticeably. By the end of the day my hands look like I have been working in the dirt or dipping in ink. Is there a trick to overcoming this, or does it just take time?

15 years ago

General

9 replies

Latest reply was from Kate

Steph

Veteran

The trick I have read and tried is soaking the jeans in white vinegar, and then washing them. In my experience, this usually works, although I had a pair of Joe's Jeans that this never worked for--in fact, the ink still rubs off on my hands, three years after purchasing the jeans. I have other Joe's Jeans of the same wash without that problem, so I wonder if I might have gotten a pair that was defective.

15 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

My BR denim skirt did this to me. It took a couple of washings to stop the fabric staining.

15 years ago

Patty

Veteran

Soak an hour in a tub of water with pickling salt (salt that does not have iodine added) dissolved then wash. My Mom swears by this method--I remember her doing this since the days of wringer washers.

15 years ago

Elly

Veteran

He he he . . . want to know why both the pickling salt and/or the vinegar will work? I will be a science geek and tell you! It is because they are mordants---- chemical substances used to set dyes. Alum (you can buy it in the spice isle, also good to put on canker sores) mixed with water is probably the best of the easily obtained, non-dangerous household ones, imo!

15 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Hi Kyle -- I just suffer through having blue stained hands and wait... and wait. Never tried the vinegar method. I do not wear really light clothing this time of year so it's not too bad. My furniture is not light either.

I have a newer pair of 7FAMs as well, straight leg. When my boyfriend's hands were also turning blue also I concluded 1) this must be pretty strong dye and 2) he must be touching my backside more than I realized, LOL!

Denise

PS -- Elly you are so smart! Thanks for sharing that info!

15 years ago