Decolourise with Rit Color Remover

Rit Color Remover is a chlorine free, reductive bleaching agent that does not damage or decompose washable fabrics as is the case with chlorine bleach.  
Decolouriser is primarily used to remove or reduce the colour from the fabric before dyeing, creating a blank canvas for dyeing in a true colour.  
It is suitable for cotton, linen, silk, wool, ramie and viscose.  It may have a limited effect on polyester, depending on how it has been (industrially) dyed. 

Unfortunately, Rit Color Remover cannot remove the pattern or print from a fabric nor can it remove the indigo colour from jeans. 

For best results we recommend to decolourise in a cooking pot on the stove at an almost boiling temperature. 

You can also use Rit Color Remover in the washing machine, washbasin or sink or in a bucket but the results may be less reliable. 

Decolourising on the stove 

Use Color Remover in a well ventilated room. Open all windows and turn on a fan if you have one. 

Pre-wash the item in warm soapy water.  

Fill a stainless steel pot with enough water to allow the fabric to move freely. Cover the pot and heat the water on the stove to just below boiling point (approx. 90 °C).

When the water begins to simmer, add a pack of Rit Color Remover. Stir well.

Let the liquid continue to simmer.

Moisten the item from which you want to remove the colour and put it in the water bath. 

Stir occasionally.
Some fabrics lose their colour after only 10 minutes, others need up to 20 minutes. Remove your garment from the bath as soon as it is lighter (some even turn white or off-white). 

Rinse the garment in warm water and allow it to cool gradually in slightly colder water until the rinse water is clear.  

Wash the garment in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.  

The piece is now ready to be dyed.  

Decolourising in a sink or bucket 

Use the decolouriser in a well ventilated room. Open all windows and turn on a fan if you have one.  

Pre-wash the item in warm soapy water. 

Fill a plastic container or a stainless steel sink with enough water to allow the fabric to move freely.  The water should ideally be 60 °C or warmer. If the tap water is not hot enough, heat it on the stove and add it to the bath. 

Add a pack of Rit Color Remover to the water. Stir well!

Moisten the item from which you want to remove the colour and put it in the bath. 

Stir occasionally.
Some fabrics lose their colour after only 10 minutes, others need up to 20 minutes.
Remove your garment from the bath as soon as it is lighter. 

Rinse it in cold water. 

Wash the garment in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry. 

Your garment is now ready to be dyed.  

Decolourising in the washing machine (front load)

Please note : We do not recommend this method for extra large or several pieces. 

Moisten the fabric and put the garment(s) in the washing machine.  

Set the wash temperature to the hottest setting and on a wash cycle of at least 30 minutes or longer. 

• If you want to decolourise a small amount of laundry, use 2 packs of decolouriser. 
• If you want to remove colour from a large wash, use 3 packs of decolouriser. 
• If you want to decolourise a really large amount of laundry,  use  4 packs of decolouriser.

Start the wash and let the machine run for about 10 minutes (the water temperature should heat up).

Meanwhile, dissolve Rit Color Remover in 1 litre of hot water. 

If there is a compartment for liquid detergents in your washing powder compartment, remove it.  

Pour the solution carefully in the washing powder compartment. 

Rinse the washing powder compartment with one litre of hot water.  

Wash the garment again in warm water with a mild detergent and dry it. 

The garment is now ready to be dyed. 

To clean the washing machine:

It is usually sufficient to wash old light-coloured towels in the next wash.  
Those who are very careful clean the machine with 500 ml liquid bleach on a 90 degrees wash cycle with 3 to 4 old towels.  

We wish you good luck!