Faded black clothes are a pretty annoying side effect of washing. But that doesn't mean it can't be avoided. A few basic adjustments in how you wash can prevent your black clothes from fading. If the basic techniques don't work, there are also some additional tricks you can try.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Basic Way
Step 1. Don't wash your black clothes too often
No matter how hard you try to prevent them from fading, your black clothes will still fade with each wash. To reduce the fading effect of this wash, you should not wash your black clothes too often. Wash only when necessary, and you will see the difference.
- Black pants and sweaters that are used to layer other clothes can be used four to five times before they need to be washed, especially if the clothes are only used indoors. Also, if you only wear clothes for a few hours a day, you may be able to use them multiple times without having to wash them first.
- But keep in mind that black underwear and socks should be washed after wearing them once.
- In between washes, you can remove the stain with a stain remover and remove the white marks from the deodorant residue with a dry sponge.
Step 2. Wash with clothes of the same color
If possible, wash your black clothes only with black or another dark color. Colors on clothes tend to fade when washed. But if no light-colored fabric absorbs the dark color, the color will be absorbed back into your black clothes.
In addition to separating by color, separate your clothes by weight. This will protect the color of your lighter, smoother black
Step 3. Turn the clothes over
When washed, the surface of the fabric will come into direct contact with water which will erode the color on your clothes. As a result, the color of the clothes that fades first is the color on the side facing out when washed. The solution to this is of course flipping your clothes before starting to wash them.
- Black clothes fade due to the friction that occurs when clothes come into contact with each other in the washing machine.
- The friction makes the fabric fibers break, and exposes the fabric fibers to water. And because the fibers in the fabric are damaged, humans will see the color fade on the clothes, even though the color on the fabric is actually not faded at all.
- You can further reduce the effects of friction and abrasion on your clothes by closing the zippers and tightening the hooks on your clothes.
Step 4. Use cold water
Warm water makes the color on the clothes loose from the fibers of the clothes, and causes clothes to fade faster when washed in warm water. Wash your clothes in cold water because cold water can make the color of your clothes last longer.
- Warm water breaks down the fibers, which is why colors fade faster in a warm wash cycle.
- The cold water cycle should use water between 15, 6 and 26.7 degrees Celsius and should not be any warmer.
- Keep in mind that you will need to change your washing habits when the weather is very cold. Freezing temperatures can bring the water temperature in your washing machine down to as little as 4.4 degrees Celsius. At that temperature, even detergent can't work properly. If the temperature outside is below 17.8 degrees Celsius, you should use warm water instead of cold water.
Step 5. Use the shortest washing process
Basically, just like the idea of washing your black clothes as infrequently as possible, you should also make the washing process as short as possible. The shorter the time to wash your clothes, the less risk of color fading on your clothes.
If in doubt, use a smooth, short process. However, you should still prioritize using the right process based on how dirty your clothes are and the material you are washing
Step 6. Use a special detergent
Lately, there have been many special detergents made for dark colored clothes. This detergent can help maintain the color of clothes when washed, so the color will not fade and last longer.
- If you are not using a detergent that has a dark color label, use a detergent formulated for cold water. Detergents like this can slightly neutralize the chlorine from tap water, which makes black clothes turn white.
- Keep in mind that detergents don't cause clothes to fade, although some detergents are more helpful in preventing your clothes from fading. You can also use liquid detergent. But never use bleach on colored clothes.
- Liquid detergent works better on if you use cold water. Powdered detergents tend not to dissolve completely in cold water, especially if you use a short wash process.
Step 7. Skip the drying process
Heat is the enemy of your efforts to prevent your black clothes from fading. Your black clothes should be hung to dry. Don't use a tumble dryer unless you have to. If you do have to use a tumble dryer, avoid using a fabric softener.
- When you hang black clothes outside, make sure you place them away from the sun. Sunlight acts as a natural bleach, which will make your clothes fade faster.
- If you need to use a tumble dryer, use it at the lowest temperature according to the material of the garment. You should look at the clothes carefully to make sure they are not too dry or too warm. To be on the safe side, remove the clothes while they are still slightly damp.
Part 2 of 2: Additional Tricks
Step 1. Add a little vinegar
when rinsing clothes, add a glass of vinegar to the washing machine when you wash black clothes (don't put it through the detergent hole if your washing machine has one).
- Adding vinegar when rinsing can provide several benefits, including maintaining the black color on your clothes and removing detergent residue from clothes that creates a layer on your clothes so that the color of your clothes looks faded.
- Vinegar is also a natural fabric softener.
- The vinegar should evaporate during the rinsing process, so it usually doesn't smell like anything. But if the smell is present, you can get rid of it by air drying your clothes.
Step 2. Use salt
Put 1/2 cup (125 ml) of salt in the washing machine before washing when you are going to wash your black clothes (don't put it through the detergent hole if your washing machine has one).
Salt can prevent the color of clothes, especially black, from fading. This cooking ingredient is especially useful for new clothes, and can also restore color from your old clothes because the salt can lift the detergent residue from the surface of the clothes
Step 3. Use a small amount of black pepper
Put one to two teaspoons of black pepper in the washing machine when you start washing your black clothes (don't put it through the detergent hole if your washing machine has one).
- The abrasive nature of black pepper can remove debris that causes discoloration. In addition, the black color of black pepper can help strengthen the color in dark clothes.
- The black pepper should be completely rinsed off when rinsed with water.
Step 4. Use baking soda
Put 1/2 cup (125 ml) of baking soda in the washing machine when you are going to wash your black clothes. This baking soda should be included with the clothes. Then wash your clothes as usual.
Baking soda is usually used as a bleach that doesn't contain chlorine. But because it doesn't contain chlorine, baking soda can also be used to lighten other colors, including black
Step 5. Use tea or coffee
Make two cups (500 ml) of black coffee or black tea, then put them in the washing machine when you are going to rinse your washed black clothes.
