Expert: Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs - 8/6/2006

Question
I used chlorine bleach to remove a brown spot on a white knit top that is 98% cotton and 2% spandex.  I did this by dabbing the stain with a Qtip dipped in the bleach.  The brown was removed; however, I ened up with a yellow stain on the top.  I've sprayed the stain with Shout and washed the top in Woolite in my washing machine but the yellow stain remains.  Is there any way to get the yellow stain out and make the spot white again?  

Answer
Hi there,
Thanks for writing!  Carpets, not clothing, are my expertise, but I thought I'd answer anyway, as we sometimes have similar problems.  Bleach itself has a yellow color and is a dye when used in concentrated qualities.  To remove the stain, first try using a white-colored toothpaste.  Rub some of the paste into the yellow spot and let it sit for a while.  Rinse the shirt.  If the spots haven't improved, then you need something a little stronger - hydrogen peroxide.  Saturate the stains with the hydrogen peroxide, let it sit for a little bit, and then rinse throroughly.  If all of that fails, consider a dye-remover product; read up on dye removers on this handy website: http://www.ritdye.com/laundry.asp  Their products are great.  
Hopefully something will work out.  At least you know it can't get worse!  Feel free to email if you have other questions (ruglady@jahannandsons.com)
Best,
Katie