Cleaning and Stain Removal - How do you stop repeated staining in the washing machine?

I was trying to save money and I found a really good deal on towels-$3 for huge, really nice towels. I bought 2 red, 2 deep burgandy and 2 blue ones. I didn't even think about staining and you guessed it. I just threw in everything, like towels, sock, pjs, and underwear. Thank goodness, no good clothes!
I soaked them. I bleached them. I soaked them in bleach in the sink. My husband is not particularly fond of pink socks and underwear!;) I could live with that if it was the end of it. Still after dozens of washes, anything that has the stain on it will stain other items. I have to do a separate load of pink clothes and if anything(pink stained) is accidently washed with unstained clothes it has to go in with pinks. My pink load is getting larger than the nonpinks.
Any ideas? I'm ready to throw away 75% of our towels,underwear and pjs!!

i think you found the reason for your good deal. Sounds like the dyes in the towels were unstable and bled. if you have bleached them and they still bleed...if you havent already dry them on the hottest safe setting for them. it will set the dye or should. if that doesnt do it...junk em

It's been my experience that red almost always runs, even if it's not something cheap. I always, always wash red things separately, especially the first few times. Other colors I may mix on occasion, but NEVER red. :alarm:
Another tip, I always use Cheer when mixing colors because it has a protectant in it for that reason and I haven't yet had anything run into other things, well with the exception of red of course.
Also, try Rit Color Remover (there's also another brand but can't think of the name at the moment) that you can buy at the supermarket. This removes dye and might possibly get out the red as long as you haven't put them in the dryer yet.

The Rit stuff works well. Back in my younger days I didn't know about colors bleeding. Mom used the Rit even after the clothes had been dryed and it worked very well. May need a couple of treatments. Still cheaper than all new scivvies and socks.

I didn't know about colors bleeding. Mom used the Rit even after the clothes had been dryed and it worked very well. May need a couple of treatments.
Thanks,
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