Black trousers ruined loads of clothes :(

[Notanothercactus]

I bought some black trousers online recently - not much in the way of washing instructions apart from a label that said 30, so they were washed at 30 with some other dark items and a colour catcher (I use these anyway). The trousers are mainly viscose, with a bit of stretch - have had several pairs of the same type before.

The washing came out like I’d used a black Dylon dye. All the items came out a grubby, dark grey. I re-washed everything but they came out the same colour. And I washed the trousers separately again, after soaking them, to try and get the excess colour out.

Well - it’s happened again. They’ve turned an entire load grubby grey. I’m absolutely gutted - what can I do? The retailer has approved them for return and have said they’ll investigate but in the two loads they were in they must have spoiled about £50-£60 worth of clothes. I’ve got tonnes of pairs of black jeans, grey jeans, black trousers and never has this happened!

www.dr-beckmann.co.uk/products/colour-run-remover/
Try this, although I find it works better if the freshly dyed clothes have not been allowed to dry.
I am sorry, you must be furious

I have experienced this so always do black clothes in one load. I actually got some trousers from river island that dyed my legs and my lovely pink shoes black, my boyfriend at the time couldn’t stop laughing at me.

I always wash new black clothes in with other black stuff for at least the first few washes.

You've learned the lesson the hard way OP - sorry.

Any new dark items need to be washed on their own the first time IME

I definitely should have been more aware the first time, I appreciate that - but the third time - argh! I can’t see how they can hold so much excess dye? And with colour catchers in? Sigh. Some isn’t important but pairs of both DC’s pyjamas and two of DD’s summer dresses, as well as a shirt and one of my cardigans, look like grotty rags. They’ve even managed to discolour white dark items. The dresses will need replacing as I can’t send her to nursery in a grey and green dress!

I’ll definitely try the colour run remover - thanks @WithABiffBangPow

I’ve arranged to return them - the retailer was very good and said they’d investigate, and asked me to send some pictures of the ruined clothes. Ironically I really like the trousers lesson learned….

*quite dark items, not white dark

I had similar with some jeans from Next. They dyed the seat of my car despite multiple washes first. Next arranged for the seat to be cleaned and refunded the jeans. If the product's faulty and has caused damage the retailer should make that damage right if I remember correctly.

Oh dear,.
I always wash new black clothing on its own or with my other black clothes.
For quite a number of washes.

That sounds excessive, not the normal level of colour run.

I always wash blacks or stuff like navy together. Would never dare to put them near any colours or whites.

That’s the thing - it is totally excessive! Turning whole loads of washing grey after they’ve been washed and soaked is just something I’ve never seen before. I’ve got loads of pairs of black jeans/trousers and have never seen anything like it.

The trousers are packed up and ready to return. They said they’d investigate with their supplier so I’m curious to see if they find anything weird.

This is why I do three loads, even though it’s an absolute faff. White, with a colour catcher in case anything coloured’s sneaked in; coloureds with a colour catcher; and darks with a Dylon dark wash colour catcher thing that’s meant to keep things dark. I’ve had way too many disasters like this to attempt anything different now.
It’s not too bad now I’ve got a laundry hamper with three sections for separating the loads, but still a faff. I wish I could just wash everything together but I’ve learnt the hard way.