The color changes after being washed are often the complaints that the laundry shops face. Though customers always think it’s completely due to the laundry shops, the practical situation is far more complicated. According to the analysis, the reasons why colors change are complex, including the usage, manufacturer, laundry process, and other factors. The laundry shops must have professional knowledge and solutions.
Three Major Reasons
❑ Wear and tear during the use of clothes (from customers)
- Sunshine
The accumulated sunshine (especially UV) will make the dyes of the clothes decompose gradually. During washing, the colors will be easier to wash off, leading to the color difference.
- Friction
The color of areas that are frequently rubbed and bent (collars, cuffs, and trouser cuffs) will wear thin and become lighter.
- Sweat/stain
Long-term adhesion of stains such as sweat, beverages, and cosmetics can directly damage dyes or cause local oxidation and discoloration. Some stains may also damage the dye when being removed.
❑ Inherent deficiencies in the production process (from the manufacturer)
- Unstable color
The dyeing process itself is bad (poor color fastness) and cannot withstand normal washing.
- Wrong washing label
The washing method on the label cannot match the actual fabrics. Doing the wrong steps according to the label must cause problems.
- Component quality
The bad metal buttons, zippers, and other items fade and rust during washing, contaminating the surrounding fabrics.
❑ The potential risk during the laundry process (for laundry shops)
When people do partial stain removal, the dyes get damaged if people use an improper stain remover or a stain remover that is too strong.
Attention: the bleaching components
Many strong laundry detergents (especially those claimed to whiten and brighten), some stain removers, and even ordinary laundry detergents contain fluorescent brighteners (a kind of chemical substance that makes white appear brighter and whiter).
Fabrics such as nylon (polyamide) and rayon (viscose) have extremely strong absorption of these brighteners. They are more likely to be affected.
- The severe results:
Change of colors: The areas “dyed” with whitening agents will turn blue, and white, or the overall color will become lighter and uneven. (Typical example: A blue shirt turns pink after washing; The inner lining of the wedding dress is white and shinier than the outer layer.)
Damage to the fabrics:
Nylon, rayon, and other materials are not as strong as cotton by themselves. Strong detergents will accelerate their fading, pilling, and deformation. Also, the fabrics of modern garments are diverse (such as those mixed with nylon, elastic fibers, and patchwork designs), and old experiences may not apply.
Professional Solutions
When facing complaints about color change, laundry shops should take active actions to protect their own reasonable rights.
❑ Prevention in advance is fundamental.
❑ Check
When collecting the clothes, owners should carefully check the clothes together with customers, especially the color conditions, wear and tear, and old stains of vulnerable areas (necklines, cuffs, armpits, corners). If any problems are found, they should be marked clearly on the spot and recorded on the clothes collection form. Both parties should sign to confirm.
❑ Washing label
Please check the washing label carefully and do a small range of stain removal tests and laundry tests ( in the hidden places or inner seams) if the clothes are unfamiliar, valuable, or special (nylon, silk, rayon)
❑ Laundry classification
Pure clothes: They can be washed with a strong laundry detergent containing optical brighteners.
All colorful clothes and light and dark mixed clothes: They must be washed with color-specific detergents that are free of optical brighteners.
Delicate fabrics: They can only be washed with mild neutral detergents gently.
❑ Process
- Mild stain removal:
Before removing stains, people should choose the proper stain remover to test it in the hidden corners and observe its impact on colors.
- Tools:
When there is suspicion of brightener contamination, using a simple ultraviolet lamp can make its characteristic fluorescence appear (like abnormal blue-white light), which is strong visual evidence.
❑ Treat complaints with professionalism
- Evidence:
Show the detailed records (words+signatures+photos/videos), risk notice (in case), and laundry sorting records.
- Professional explanation:
By combining inspection and possible reasons (wear marks, local fading after sunlight exposure, or the fluorescence characteristics of brighteners under ultraviolet lamps), laundry shops should use simple words that can be understood by the customers to explain that the reasons do not lie in the laundry process.
Scientific quotation:
If it is possible, explaining basic concepts (color fastness and characteristics of the brighteners) can improve the persuasiveness.
❑ Optional choice
It can be sent to the authorized institution together (the fees must be clarified clearly. Before the determination of the responsibility. Usually, the fees are prepaid by customers in advance or through negotiation.)
Or, handle the situation as appropriate to maintain the relationship.
Conclusion
The color changes of the clothes after washing are not all laundry shops’ faults. The key lies in recognizing the diversity of responsibilities, strictly controlling the evidence when collecting clothes, scientifically carrying out washing and care operations, and professionally handling complaints. By establishing this “defensive operation” system, the laundry can not only effectively reduce unreasonable compensation but also win the trust of customers and demonstrate professional value.
