How To Remove Color Bleeding From Embroidery

Color bleeding is bound to happen at some point. It can be disheartening to discover, but you can remove those stubborn marks from your embroidery.

When I first embroidered my leaping fox design onto my sweater, the Stick n’ Stitch stabilizer I used left a halo of grey ink around it. Fortunately, I was able to remove the marks, and I’ll share how I did it!

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Removing Color Bleeding From Embroidery

Before You Get Started

First, check that the threads and fabric you use are colorfast, meaning the dye is set with a chemical process to prevent bleeding when washed. Most major brands of threads and fabrics are colorfast, but there can be exceptions, for example, certain hand-dyed products and sometimes silk ribbon. It’s always best to check first.

Soak The Embroidery

One of the most common ways you may experience color bleeding on your embroideries is when you use a water-soluble method for transferring your design to the fabric. Often, some ink remains on the fabric when the product is washed off. To fully it completely, you’ll need to wash the embroidery again.

1. Fill up a container with lukewarm water, then add a small amount of mild dish soap or OxiClean. (I have had the best results using OxiClean, which is color-safe for clothes and colored fabrics.)
2. Soak the embroidery for 30 minutes, then rinse under cool running water. Gently rub the embroidery to wash it thoroughly. Avoid scouring it, which could damage the stitches.
3. Press out the excess water between two towels, then allow the embroidery to air dry on a flat surface or hang it (depending on what the embroidery is on).
4. Let the embroidery fully dry to make sure the stains are gone. Sometimes you’ll need to soak the embroidery more than once. If marks remain along the embroidery, repeat the process.

Things To Avoid

• Don’t use bleach. This will strip the color of the threads and fabric and is guaranteed to ruin your work.
• Avoid putting your embroidery in the dryer. This can damage the threads, make them fuzzy, and sometimes set stains, making them incredibly hard to remove.
• Do not press the embroidery until it is fully dry. It’s hard to see if any stains remain when the fabric is wet, and ironing something that is too wet can scorch the fabric, creating an even larger problem! Waiting will help you avoid setting any stains.

I hope you found this post helpful. If you have a tip you want to share that has worked for you to remove any stubborn stains on your embroidery, please leave it in the comments.

Keep reading! Check out this post all about embroidered clothing care next.