How Do Cashews Cause Fabric Discoloration?

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Soaking a red T-shirt in water led to a noticeable faint spot where a cashew nut rested for several days. The area around the nut became lighter, suggesting that a compound in the cashew may have interacted with the dye in the fabric. This interaction could involve an enzyme or a chemical on the cashew that dissolves or breaks the bonds of the red dye, resulting in the discoloration. The discussion highlights the potential for certain food items to affect fabric dyes even in the absence of detergents.
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I was soaking a red T-shirt in water and accidentally dropped a cashew nut into the bucket. The spot where the cashew rested became fainter. Can anyone explain why?
Hi everyone

I was soaking a red T-shirt in water and accidentally dropped a cashew nut into the bucket. I think the nut would have been soaking with the T-shirt for maybe three or four days. When I emptied out the water, I noticed the spot on the T-shirt where the cashew had rested became fainter. The faint spot radiated out from the nut and was maybe 10 times the size of the cashew.

Can anyone explain why?

It was soaking only in water, no detergents.

Thanks
 
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Darkmisc said:
Summary:: I was soaking a red T-shirt in water and accidentally dropped a cashew nut into the bucket. The spot where the cashew rested became fainter. Can anyone explain why?

It was soaking only in water, no detergents.
It would appear that there is a compound (or molecule) in cashews (an enzyme maybe), or perhaps a chemical on the cashew, that dissolves the red dye in the fabric, or at least breaks the bonds fixing the dye to the fabric/fibre.
 
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