woman's hand pouring powder detergent into washing machine

Never Fade: How to Properly Wash Dark Clothes

If you have ever put a dark shirt in the wash only to find it come out looking dull, faded, and spotty, you know the frustration of improper dark clothing care.

Never fear for your brand-new pair of black jeans to fade; with proper care in their washing they will remain as dark and bright-looking for much longer!

Washing dark clothes is tricky and if not done correctly, you can end up ruining your favorite garments.

But by following a few simple tips, you can keep your dark clothes looking new wash after wash.

laundry basket filled with dark clothes with washing machine in background

How to Wash Dark Clothes

Start by choosing a mild detergent without optical brighteners, and sort your clothes to prevent dyes bleed-over onto lighter items.

Next, choose an appropriate water temperature and washing cycle.

What detergent will not fade colors?

For maximum wearability from dark clothing, use detergent designed specifically for dark fabrics when washing it. A good detergent will keep colors vibrant over extended washing sessions.

As with all dark clothes, it’s also crucial that the appropriate water temperature be used during washing. Since hot water may cause dyes to run or fade more rapidly than cold washing cycles can, choosing a cold cycle would be optimal.

Sort your laundry before washing to avoid dye transference, sorting clothing by color and fabric weight before sorting by dark and light pieces.

Additionally, heavy denim should not be combined with delicate linen fabrics as this could result in the heavy fabric’s lint rubbing off onto them and leaving faded looks on lighter items.

Add extra protection by including Oxiclean Dark Protect in your laundry detergent regiment in order to preserve the color of your garments longer.

It comes in powder form that can either be directly added during a wash cycle, or mixed in before starting it up.

Do you wash dark clothes on hot or cold?

Black clothing can often be washed on a hot wash cycle to relax fabric fibres and ease out stubborn dirt, but this high temperature also makes it harder for dyes to remain stable over time and resist fading over time.

For optimal results and minimal wear and tear on dark-colored clothing, it is best to wash on cold or even warm (depending on its care label) rather than hot temperatures.

Also, be sure to separate your laundry so that bright reds don’t mix with denim jeans and blend into blacker shades of fabric.

As another way of avoiding fading, it’s wise to use liquid detergent rather than powder; powder particles often remain undissolved when exposed to hot water and leave behind residue.

Additionally, ensure you dry dark colors indoors away from direct sunlight; direct sunlight can cause them to fade or bleach over time and make black jeans and dark blue T-shirts look as new for much longer!

In this way, black jeans and dark blue T-shirts remain looking their best longer!

What setting is best for dark wash?

When it comes to washing dark clothing, the washing cycle is often more significant than temperature.

Sort darks from lights separately as dyes may transfer onto lighter fabrics (like white). Also best is using cold water cycles or gentle/permanent press cycles found on many washers for maximum effectiveness in cleaning dark garments.

If you don’t have a special darks detergent on hand, any liquid laundry detergent without bleach should do just fine (powder detergents can clump and cause streaking in very cold water).

When adding too much laundry detergent it could leave behind residue which dulls fabric fibers and should only be added at appropriate amounts.

Pre-treating any stains prior to washing can also help protect color and prevent them from bleeding during the wash cycle, as this will preserve their vibrant hues and keep their colors intact.

What’s more, direct sunlight may fade darks over time; to ensure their longevity it’s recommended using either an indoor dryer or line-drying in shaded conditionsmas an alternative drying method.

dark grey and black clothes folded and stacked

Can I wash dark clothes with light clothes?

It is often assumed that dark clothes should only be washed with other dark clothes, but this is not always the case. There are a few things to consider when deciding whether to wash dark and light clothes together.

The first thing to consider is the fabric of the clothing. Some fabrics, like denim, can bleed dye when washed, so it is best to wash them separately from lighter-colored clothing.

Other dark fabrics, like wool or linen, may not bleed but can still transfer color to lighter fabrics. If you are unsure about a particular fabric, err on the side of caution and wash it separately.

The second thing to consider is the type of laundry detergent you are using. Some detergents are more likely to cause color bleeding than others.

If you are using a detergent that is known to cause color bleeding, it is best to wash dark and light clothing separately.

Finally, consider the length of time the clothing will be in the washing machine. If you are only washing a few items, you can wash them together.

However, if you are washing a large load of laundry, it is best to wash dark and light clothing in separate loads to avoid any potential color bleeding.

How do you dry black clothes without fading?

Dark clothing is an indispensable wardrobe essential, yet it can quickly lose its vibrancy in the wash.

By reading laundry tags and understanding which temperature setting works best when washing dark apparel, as well as following some simple tricks, you can ensure that your favorite pair of black jeans or T-shirt remain looking their vibrant best!

Sort dark clothes separately before starting to wash them to help ensure their shapely silhouette remains in tact and prevent dyes from bleeding onto lighter garments.

Besides, using cold temperatures for dark laundry washing will help preserve its colors for optimal results.

Dark clothing can trap smells easily, so to reduce friction between clothing fibers and expose less water and detergent, turn them inside out before washing.

Do not place dark clothing in the dryer as heat can fade its colors; hang dry them instead or use a low-heat drying cycle if possible.

Dark clothes can be a bit of a pain to keep looking new, but with a few simple tips, you can keep them looking great wash after wash.

Always wash dark clothes in cold water and never use bleach, which can damage the fabric. Instead, opt for a color-safe laundry detergent.

Be sure to sort your laundry so that dark clothes are not mixed with lighter items, which can cause your dark clothing to fade.

When drying, use the lowest heat setting or hang your clothes to dry. With a little care, your dark clothes will stay looking sharp wash after wash.

How to Wash Dark Clothes