(And the instructions for my front-loading washer does say to check the rubber gasket for those missing items. )

this is a standard procedure in my house when doing laundry, you take the clothes out and check the gasket. You just never know plus little bits of things that are in kids/mens pockets get stuck in there.

FYI - the Carbona color catchers are actually the original color catchers. They had had them for sale at Hancock Fabrics for years before what I would guess is that the other companies realized there was a real market for them and came up with their own brand. Carbona also makes a great line of stain removers designed for particular types of stains, they have about eight different types. They are amazing.

Carbona used to (maybe still do) have little yellow bottles of various stain removers. The ones that I used and still have were excellent.

I haven't tried the Carbona "color catcher" sheets, but I have used other Carbona products and had very good luck with them.

Thanks for the tip!

I posted this recipe for a DIY solution some time ago, and still use it when I run out of the color catcher sheets. I also use it on black, deep purple, or red--which I wash individually in the washing machine.

The recipe is from my LQS owner who says she got it from an Amish quilter.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/links-r...g-t237701.html

Here's a mystery concerning color catchers-I use the color catcher when I wash red clothes. The color catcher comes out pink. However, my son did a load of red clothes and a white sock got in the wash. I went down to put the clothes in the dryer....the sock stayed white...not a hint of pink! Anyone care to explain this to me. I truly was expecting a pink sock.

At quilting group my friend & I were asking where to buy color catchers (not readily available here). An older quilter said she doesn't mess with those, she just uses about 1/2 cup of washing soda. Works for her, I've been meaning to try it.

it depends on the fabric content whether the item picks up the free-floating dye. Cotton is almost like a magnet for it, poly's not so much (unless there's lots of cotton too)