Indigo rubs off

ElleH

I have dark jeans that rub off under my fingernails. I think all my dark jeans did that. I avoid light coloured bags with them. I am worried about my new light coloured trench coat. I'm wondering if anyone has had indigo rub off on their trench coats. I bought one that I should avoid dry cleaning too often due to it affecting the water resistant finish. Perhaps I should change for a black one.

12 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Wendi1984

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That's one of the reasons I do not wear dark blue jeans anymore.

12 years ago

ElleH

Veteran

Yes Angie. The vinegar setting method doesn't work for indigo. I read somewhere that indigo just does this. I like all the trench with jeans pics I see but they tend to be faded jeans often. I have gone off faded jeans & don't wear distressed ones but I love some pics off distressed ones with trenches on pinterest.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I thought you might find this useful : http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/settingdye.shtml. It mentions a dye setting agent called Retayne Which can be used to set any type of dye. I have new indigo jeans and was thinking of trying to get hold of some myself.

12 years ago

ElleH

Veteran

Diane G the link you posted said this (Unfortunately, the one situation Retayne cannot help with is the dry crocking of indigo, in which improperly applied dye rubs off of the fabric even when dry.)

I don't think much can be done for indigo.

12 years ago

Anonymous

Oh no! thats a shame. I think I'm just going to wash mine a lot even before I wear them.
I notice it does say that only improperly applied indigo does dry crocking more, so I guess it all depends on the quality of dyeing process. I think I'll do the washing thing first and wear first time or two next to dark colours and see what happens.

12 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

Darn indigo! It has ruined the backside of more than one handbag, my husbands light leather car seat(!), the tops of light colored shoes, and the inside of boots from jean tucking

Some denim seemed to rub off no matter how old and laundered it got. Some got better with additional washings.

Elle, if you are verrry worried about the light Burberry (and I wonder if the water repellant finish on it would help any denim rub dry clean off), then maybe you should opt for the darker color. You've voiced concern about the lighter color more than once. Is it an inner niggle you need to heed?

Would you be more at peace tracking down the khaki Brooks Brothers then for your light color trench?

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I second Angie on this. If the tag says the dye might rub off, I don't buy the product. Not sure how manufacturers can even kind of sort of justify this. I wear their jeans and sit on my friend's sofa . . .boom, ruined sofa! I just don;t want to think about my clothes that much, once they are on.

Sorry, not much help!

12 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

i have a pair of tory burches that still leak indigo dye 4 years later. i get it all over my hands and i look like i have some sort of medical condition. i have others that never dye transferred. hard to predict which ones will transfer dye.

thistle, that would be so embarrassing.

12 years ago

Wendi1984

Active Member

Is there any way to predict if an item will continue to do that? I worry, too. My Kut Bermuda shorts had a warning on the tag. I've washed them alone, but I don't know if I need to worry about the dye, since I have no problems when I wear them. Maybe I don't need to keep washing them alone?

12 years ago

ElleH

Veteran

Wendi I always wash dark jeans with other dark colors. I also use Shout colour catcher when there are medium colours mixed in or black & white in one garment. If jeans are brand new I avoid washing with some medium or multi coloured garments the first few washes.

12 years ago

Jamie

Veteran

I brought this topic up a few months ago, and lots of good suggestions were offered for this problem. Trust me, I tried all of them, and with absolutely no luck. My best solution is to not purchase any more dark wash jeans. I have one pair left at the moment, and when they go, or when I get tired of being careful with them, I don't intend to purchase any more. I really wish manufacturers would figure this one out. There's bound to be a way to fix indigo so that dry crocking is not an issue.

12 years ago

Wendi1984

Active Member

Well, like I said, I've had no problems with my new Kut dark Bermuda shorts. I wash them separately, but there's never been any dye coming off on my skin, my underwear, or upholstery at all. Maybe they use a better dyeing process.

12 years ago

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