How do I get bleach spots out of an apron or uniform?
Sources last checked
Sanitizer bleach spattered your black apron and left a pale spot.
The short answer
Bleach takes the color out of cloth. No source we read says it comes back. (Cornell Cooperative Extension; Cornell Cooperative Extension)
Do this now
- Check: is it bleach, or leftover pretreater? A strong pretreater can look bleached. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)
What to use
- Treat the whole apron and rewash with extra detergent if it is only pretreater. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)
- Use a color remover and redye if it is bleach. It is the only fix we found. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; Cornell Cooperative Extension)
- Bleach the whole garment to even it out. Never just one spot. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)
Never do this
- Never use chlorine bleach on wool, silk or spandex. It cannot be fixed. (Cornell Cooperative Extension; Cornell Cooperative Extension)
When to give up
- Replace it if it is wool, silk or spandex. That bleach cannot be removed. (Cornell Cooperative Extension; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)
Check the care tag first. Test any stain remover on a hidden spot. A stain that sets in the dryer is much harder to move, so look before you dry.
The words of the sources
Each step above, quoted from the page it comes from.
“Bleaches - such as chlorine bleach, swimming pool chemicals, mildew stoppers”
“Chlorine bleach stains cannot be removed from wool, silk, or spandex.”
“A pretreatment product may actually super-clean an area, and may resemble a bleached spot.”
“Use when bleaches are not effective and you are willing to redye the article.”
“Mix 1/4 teaspoon color remover with 1/2 cup cool water. SPONGE stain.”
“Bleach the whole garment to prevent uneven color removal.”
“do not try to bleach just a spot on a colored garment”
“DO NOT USE chlorine bleach on wool, silk or spandex.”
“not all stains can be removed”
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change and your local health department has the final say. Check with them before you open or change how you work. CleanCleaver is a food safety app, not a laundry authority: follow your garment's care tag.