How to Wash Dark Clothes to Reduce Fading?

Written by Mary Marlowe Leverette

We all know the advantages of black or dark-colored clothes. Dark colors make us look leaner. Dark colors like black are chic. Dark colors make being a ninja easier to pull off.

But dark-colored clothes that have faded are pretty sad. With these seven easy tips, you can learn how to wash dark clothes so they hold their color longer, look better, and last longer.

Learn How to Sort Clothes

The first consideration when sorting clothes is to determine whether a garment should be washed at home or dry cleaned. If you don’t know what to do, read the clothing care label. You may be able to use a home dry cleaning kit to freshen a dry clean only garment and save money. Home dry cleaning kits, which are easier on fabrics than a washing machine, can also be used on washable items like jeans or dark sweaters to freshen and remove odors.

After you’ve sorted out the dry clean only items, sort your washable clothes. Never wash light-colored clothing with dark items to prevent dye transfer. It’s also important to avoid combining dark fabrics with lint-producing clothes or linens. Lint from these fabrics will often adhere to dark items making them look “fuzzy” and faded.

Use the Right Water Temperature

Always use the coolest water temperature possible when washing dark clothing.

Hot water will always fade dyes and cause more dye bleeding more quickly than cold water. Be sure that your washer is always set to use a cold water rinse cycle. There is never a need to use hot or warm water to rinse clothes.

Choose the Right Detergent for Dark Colors

f you don’t have a detergent that is formulated for dark colors on hand, use the least amount of your regular detergent as necessary for cleaning your clothes. One to two teaspoons is all you need for a regular size load. Excessive amounts of detergent can cause dye bleeding and leave a residue in fabrics that make them appear dull.

Using a liquid detergent instead of a powder detergent will prevent any undissolved particles from clinging to dark clothes leaving the finish looking dull. If you don’t use an automated washer detergent dispenser, be sure to add the detergent to the washer drum first. Adding detergent after clothes are in the machine may cause problems with spotting or residue.

If you must pretreat a stain, test the cleaning solution first in an inconspicuous spot like an inside seam or hem to ensure that the product will not cause fading.

Use the Best Washer Cycle

Unless your dark clothing is heavily caked with dirt, select a gentle or permanent press cycle for dark colors. These cycles have shorter wash cycles with less agitation that can damage fibers and cause them to break and look fuzzy and faded. Also, choose a slower final spin cycle to avoid the breaking of fibers.

This is a good place to mention that a front load washer or a top load washer without a center agitator is more gentle on clothing than a standard top load washer. More gentle agitation means less fiber breakage that causes clothes to look worn and faded.

Hand washing is always a good option for delicate dark items.

Load the Washer Correctly

Step One: Always turn dark-colored garments inside out before washing. This will prevent fiber finishes from becoming damaged and showing frayed ends and attracting lint.

Step Two: Be sure to load the washer correctly and never overload the capacity of your machine.

Avoid the Sun