From my experience it really depends on what type of stitching/thread they used for the navy stripe. I have had some fabrics (such as white sheets with color embroidery) where even bleach was not an issue, the color always remained in the embroidery. I always like to wash separately at first and then determine how to categorize the item for washing.

Coming from having a RH shower curtain in linen in the past, I always washed it separately and being linen, it was best slightly damp from the dryer because it always had to be ironed.

Thanks Cal. I would definitely wash it separate. I just was never sure how to keep white items white if they had some color on them. I've stayed away from a lot of white because of it.

To me a truly white load is anything that won't be ruined by bleach. I mostly bleach white socks, underwear and wash/dish cloths.

Cal is right about fading and thread type. Synthetics like poly are less prone to fading. I hate when something is mostly white with dark thread for an emblem or stripe and will avoid it if possiable. Lol.

For me whites are white. I don't wash anything with colors with my whites. Sometimes my husband buys white socks with a colored ring around the top part and I hate them also. Lol but will wash them in a sock load with underwear....white socks and white underwear or dark socks and dark underwear.

I would wash your new shower curtain alone in warm water and a mild detergent (no oxygen bleach) at least at first to see how it does. Another thing that navy stripe could bleed onto the white...if it does I would return it. Manufactures need to stop cheapening out.

As for the Persil and vomit smell....I have a theory or maybe I read this somewhere.....Persil is a heavy duty detergent. ...perhaps the vomit smell is because the Persil has started pulling out old built up body oils which can cause that scent. If this is the case a few good hot wadhes with Persil should solve it.

Do not wash grey items with white items. That will cause 'the dingies' *cue scary music*

Whites should be washed in the highest temperature possible unless there is a protein stain such as blood. It might be good to allow the load to soak for a few as well since it will give time for the detergent and any additives to work. Do you happen to have hard water?

Thank you for the thoughts and feedback! I wanted to mention we have well water and a water softener.

I just realized I don't have very many all white things in this house. Even our socks that are white have gray usually on the toe and heel. I never knew that about gray in with the whites!

I don't know if Restoration Hardware would stand by the shower curtain if it would bleed. I think they would consider it used and could say I didn't follow the washing instructions. However, I just looked and the description reads:

• 100% cotton
• Embroidered color on a white background except ivory stitching, which is on an ivory background
• Deftly stitched color will not shrink, fade or bleed
• Reinforced buttonhole top with 12 holes
• Use with our Clear Liner or Hotel Shower Curtain Liner (sold separately)
• Machine wash
• Made in Italy
• etc.etc.

It doesn't give info. about water temp. suggestion but I could email them. The shower curtain was recommended to me on the decorating forum (They have one.) so I think I'll ask them about the color they have and how it's held up. I'd definitely wash it separate.

That's a good theory about the Persil and gross smell from the clothes. If it cleans as well as it's supposed to it's bound to pull out old oils. Well I'm off to the store today and think I'll grab a small bottle of Persil. They didn't have the 2 in 1 in the small bottle so I'll probably try the original.

Wait, is Persil only for whites!? I've read so much laundry stuff now. I think some of the detergents where it says safe for color I read here many of you only use for whites.

I spent a full day doing laundry the other day. The smell was almost a bit too much during the process (our washer and dryer are close to the kitchen) but it dissipated shortly after and smells nice on the clothes. It's faint. I do think the clothes are cleaner for sure. Without any extra treating I noticed a pair of white athletic pants whitened.

I used the Persil on everything even darks and I do think it faded my black shirts a little. What do you use on dark clothing?

Thanks!

I think any detergent with optical brighteners will make dark colors look at big faded, but it might wash out over time. For darks I use Persil for darks. I have never seen it in a supermarket. I buy this from the appliances store a few street away from me. Some people buy it online so perhaps Amazon.com might carry it. For me it is the same as Persil 2n1 in that a little goes a long way. I use much less than the instructions recommend on the bottle.

I really only use this on my good jeans or black or dark colored clothes. I don't wash anything else with these. This is one of the times I wash in cold water, and I turn the garments inside out.

OBAs (optical brightening agents) can make black/dark fabrics appear dusty. Oxygen bleach in many detergents can fade them.

Cheer ColorGuard powder detergent doesn't have OBAs.

There's a liquid detergent called Mas Darks/Oscura that contains a tiny bit of black dye, suitable for black and other dark colors such as navy and indigo denims. Walmart carries it.

Mas Darks/Oscura Detergent

Thanks for the recommendations. I didn't see the Persil for darks in the store. I'm going to look for all of these the next time I'm out.