Colour catchers are disposable laundry sheets that absorb loose dye in the wash, preventing colour transfer between items.
How They Work
The sheet contains dye-trapping fibres that: - Attract loose dye molecules - Absorb before they redeposit - Prevent colour bleeding onto other items
When to Use
New towels: May release excess dye in first washes.
Mixed loads: Washing lights and darks together.
Unknown items: Unsure of colour fastness.
For Towels
Useful when: - Washing brand new coloured towels - Mixing towel colours - First few washes of dark/bright towels
After several washes, quality towels shouldn't need them.
Effectiveness
Colour catchers work but aren't magic: - Help with minor bleeding - Can't save a massively bleeding item - Don't guarantee safety with very unstable dyes
Brands
Shout Color Catcher, Dylon Colour Catcher, store brands.
Related Terms
- Colour fastness - What quality towels have
- Reactive dye - Stable dye type