Uknown Stains Unknown Stains Stains are difficult enough to get out when you can see them before they go into the laundry, but when stains are not visible until after the item is laundered it becomes a particularly annoying problem. By doing this, the Institute identified several categories of unknown stains. One of the most common causes of unknown stains are water soluble dyes. Often, even if a care label is followed, any contact with water will cause a garment's dye to bleed. This occurs in both laundering and drycleaning.
Dye transfer can occur in both expensive and inexpensive items.
Price does not in any way determine colorfastness. Consumers need to be aware of the possible instability in some dyes used today, and if a problem occurs that they are intitled to an exchange of merchandise. Consumer-caused stains are also a big problem. This kind of unknown stain is caused by the consumer spilling a substance on the garment that may not be visible before washing. Common invisible stain leavers are soft drinks, cocktails, corn syrup, fruit juices and honey.