My Bounce color catchers come out gray with dark fabrics. As for the laundry detergent, I've been making mine for over a year with no issues on the towels and seems to get the dirt out of our clothes. I do have to admit that we don't work outside or in heavy dirt producing industries. The towels are still very absorbent. I wonder if it has to do with the water? Or that I use Zote laundry soap? Anyway, I like the idea of it.