Black color is everyone’s go-to shade that never disappoints us. Black is the most fashionable color that makes us look smart. But the fact that it fades over time makes us all sad. The shine of black clothes goes away with time, and the garment looks dull.
If we take care of our clothes while washing them, we can prevent the fading and dullness of black garments to an excellent extent. Picking a suitable detergent, avoiding the sun, and tumble-drying are some methods that keep the cloth new and shiny.
You can prevent black clothes from fading by taking a little more care than you usually do. This guide will be about how to care for black garments, what to do, and what to avoid. If you follow the instructions carefully, you can keep your black clothes looking new for a long time.
Sort the Clothes by Color and Weight
Washing all the dark and light-colored clothes together is a terrible practice. Dark clothes tend to color bleed often. The dye sticks to the lighter dresses if they are also present in the washing machine. This destroys both your black and more delicate clothes.
Other than that, you should also sort laundry according to weight. If you wash a heavy black garment with a lighter one, the fibers and weaving of soft cloth will likely get damaged. It would be best if you also separated the linens from dark-colored clothes. Lint from one fabric can also transfer to the other one, thus making them look dull and fuzzy.
Therefore, separate the laundry according to weight and color to prevent color transfer and other damages.
Choose the Right Detergent
When you enter the market, you will see different types of detergents. Some detergents are made especially for dark and black clothes that protect their shine. Such detergents prevent the dye from running and thus keep the color and brightness of the clothes.
To be more specific, check the ingredients of the detergent. If it contains bleach alternatives, you should avoid it. Choose the detergent that can deal with all types of stains, whether oil, dirt, or grass.
Detergents do not always contribute to fading. Many detergents prevent fading. Just avoid bleach detergents and pick liquid laundry detergent instead of powder detergent. Since we need to wash black clothes in cold water, it is good to go for liquid detergent, as powder detergent does not dissolve in cold water quickly.
If you do not want to use detergents made specifically for black clothes, choose the one that works better with cold water. Such detergents are effective in neutralizing chlorine with tap water.
Measure the Accurate Amount of Detergent
To prevent fading, we have recommended using cold water. We also know that powder detergent does not dissolve effectively in cold water. The result is the formation of detergent streaks on your dark clothes.
If the detergent is more than needed, it will form clumps, leaving spots and patches on your black garments. This is why it is essential to measure the precise amount of detergent before putting it in the washing machine.
Your washing machine’s automatic temperature control feature will help if you live in a cold climate. It adjusts the temperature of water for the setting you have selected. This will bring the water temperature to the point where detergent enzymes can work effectively.
Read More: Laundry Detergent: Before or After Clothes?
Select the Right Water Temperature
When you wash clothes in warm or hot water, the clothes tend to loosen dye more quickly; thus, clothes fade. This is why bright and dark clothes color bleed when you wash them in hot water. Washing such bright and dark clothes in cold water is a better practice.
Since hot water damages the fibers, the dye of clothes gets away quickly in warm water. The cold water cycle of the washing machine runs at a temperature between 15 to 26 degrees Celsius.
However, the detergent becomes ineffective during winter, especially in temperatures below 4 degrees Celsius. This is why you should use cold-water rinse and warm-water wash.
Detergents do not work effectively in cold water. However, liquid detergents are far better than powder ones if you wash clothes in cold water. Since there is no issue of dissolving with liquid detergent, they work great even in cold water.
Go for the Shortest Cycle
It is necessary to keep the cycles short to prevent the black clothes from fading. The dye is less likely to run if your clothes spend less time in the washing machine. Going for the delicate cycle for black clothes will work great.
Short cycles prevent the clothes from damage and breaking of fibers. However, while going for the most straightforward process, do not forget to see if the clothes are more or less soiled. No matter what, you must keep the clothes in the washing machine until they are thoroughly cleaned. If the clothes are not very dirty, you can always wash them with your hands, as it is a much safer option.
If your washing machine does not have an agitator, it will likely be more gentle on the clothes than any other type. There will be less fiber breakage if there is gentle agitation; thus, your black clothes will look shinier.
Keep the Dark Clothes Away from the Sun
Though sunlight is a perfect option for drying clothes, it can be harmful in black dresses. Sunlight fades away the color of clothes. This is why when you dry black clothes in the sun for longer, your black garments lose color and look dull.
Drying black clothes in the sun also increases the temperature of your clothes. No wonder the black color absorbs more light, which converts to more heat, thus increasing the body’s temperature when you wear it.
A good practice is to get indoor drying racks. On a sunny day, you can dry your dark clothes on it. This will keep the clothes from fading and being damaged.
Avoid Tumble Drying
Avoid tumble-drying your delicate clothes. This applies to clothes of all colors and types. A dryer makes the fabric’s surface appear rough, making it fuzzy and dry.
Even if you still feel like using the dryer, set the temperature at its lowest. Keep an eye on the cloth while drying to ensure it is not overheated or warm. Remove the clothes while they are still damp.
Sunlight is another problem we discussed earlier, so it is again a big NO. A better idea is to get indoor drying racks. They do not damage the clothes in any way. Also, you can dry the clothes in the open air, far from the sunlight. Turn your garments inside out and hang them in the air. This will also protect your clothes from severe damage.
Keep the Filters Clean
The filters of your washing machine can destroy your clothes. The damage is usually not significant, but it is rather frustrating. Lint formation on your clothes can be due to uncleaned, dirty filters.
These filters are made to catch the lint from the clothes. However, it may transfer to the other clothes as dust, making them appear dirty and dull.
Read More: Does Liquid Detergent Damage Washing Machines?
Fold the Garments Inside Out
The side of the garment that is exposed to the environment of the washing machine is the one that will get damaged the most. If you want to wash your clothes without fading, fold the garments inside out.
When you turn the garments inside out, the detergent and other chemicals will work on the outside layer, which is initially the inside one. This prevents color bleeding to a great extent and also preserves the quality and color of your garments.
You can follow the same trick for other clothes you want to preserve.
Read the Label on the Cloth
Get in the habit of reading labels on the cloth. Reading the title of every garment can be hectic initially, but with time, you will start understanding the nature of many fabrics. By reading labels, you can save your clothes from some severe damage.
Several washing requirements are written on the label, which you might miss if you do not read. Here is why you need to read the label:
- Some garments, like those with red color, need to be washed with hands first since the red color is more likely to color bleed than any other colored garments.
- Heavily soiled clothes and undergarments needed to be washed separately.
- Many fabrics like silk tend to be dry cleaned only.
Use Vinegar and Salt to Prevent Fading
Vinegar and salt are lifesavers when it comes to doing laundry. Vinegar can be used to clean the washing machine, and it can be used as a softener. Vinegar does not leave any smell on the clothes as it evaporates during the rinse cycle.
White vinegar saves the color of your clothes by removing the detergent residue from them, which would otherwise create a film on the garments and make them appear faded. Here is how you can use it:
Take about a cup or 250 ml of white vinegar and pour it directly into the drum of the washing machine during the rinse cycle. Make sure to add it to the basin that contains your black garment. Do not add vinegar to any of the compartments in your washing machine.
In the same way, you can add half a cup of salt to the basin of the washing machine. It is beneficial in preventing the clothes from fading and color bleeding. Other than that, salt can also bring back the original color of the clothes by removing the residue film that is formed on the clothes.
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda has many benefits in the laundry. It is a natural cleanser and a deodorizer as well. It softens the clothes and keeps away tough stains and smells. It acts as a non-chlorine bleach that keeps the white clothes whiter and brightens the other colors.
As it brightens the clothes, the garments look fresh and less dull. This is why you can use it while washing your black clothes. Just about a cup of baking soda in the washing machine will preserve the black color of your clothes. Since baking soda is a natural cleanser, it keeps your washer clean. Make sure not to add baking soda in any compartment; instead, put it in the same place where the clothes are placed.
Black pepper is another natural ingredient that can help remove the residues from clothes. One or two teaspoons will do the job.
In Conclusion
Black clothes require special attention if you want to keep them looking new. Like any other fabric, black color fades away from the clothes, and they appear dull. You can keep them fresh by carefully washing them and following the simple tips.
Cold water is the most critical factor. Along with that, an accurate amount of detergent will do the job. You can also try natural ingredients like salt and vinegar to prevent color fading.
It would be best if you also carefully dry your dark garments. Tumble dryers and direct sunlight damage the clothes and make the garments appear dull. You can get an indoor rack to dry such delicate fabrics.
Always make sure to wash your dark clothes separately from the lighter ones. However, you can clean the black garments with other dark colors like maroon, brown, navy blue, etc.