Of course it's annoying when you see the clothes you just bought are faded in color. Luckily, there are a few different ways you can get your clothes back in color. Sometimes, detergent residue can build up on clothes, making them look dull. In this case, washing the garment with salt or vinegar might help make it look like new again. If the color of your clothes fades with use, you might want to soak them in dye again to make them appear brighter! You may also be able to restore color to your clothes using homemade ingredients such as baking soda, coffee, or hydrogen peroxide.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Make Outfits Shine With Salt
Step 1. Put faded clothes and regular detergent into the washing machine
If the color of your clothes fades after several washes, the cause may be a build-up of detergent residue. Adding salt when washing can help get rid of this buildup, making your clothes look like new again.
Powdered detergents leave more residue than liquid detergents
Step 2. Add 1/2 cup (150 grams) of salt to the washer
After putting the clothes and detergent in the washing machine, add about 1/2 cup (150 grams) of salt. In addition to restoring the color of clothes, salt can also prevent new clothes from fading the first time they are washed.
- You can add salt every time you wash your clothes if you want.
- Regular salt or fine salt is suitable for this step. However, it is best to avoid using coarse sea salt as it may not dissolve completely in the washing machine.
- Salt is also effective at removing stains, especially blood, mold, or sweat stains.
Step 3. Dry the clothes as usual
After the clothes have been washed, take them out and check the color. If you are satisfied with the result, dry or machine dry the clothes. If the color of the clothes still looks faded, try washing them with vinegar.
You may have to use a dye to restore the color of clothes that have faded with use
Method 2 of 4: Using Vinegar to Remove Detergent Residue
Step 1. Pour 1/2 cup (about 120 ml) of white vinegar into the washing machine
If you're using a top-loading washing machine, you can pour the vinegar directly into the drum. Meanwhile, if you're using a front-loading washing machine, you can pour the vinegar into the container you use to put fabric softener in. The vinegar will help remove any detergent residue or hard water minerals, and as a result, your clothes will look brighter.
The vinegar will also prevent detergent residue from building up on your clothes. So, vinegar is good to use to prevent the color of new clothes from fading when washed
Tip:
For a deeper clean, you can also dilute 1 cup (250 ml) of white vinegar in 4 liters of warm water. Soak clothes in this vinegar solution for 20-30 minutes before washing as usual.
Step 2. Wash the clothes in cold water and the normal cycle
Put the faded clothes in the washing machine, add some detergent, then start the machine. Often times, soaking the garment in a vinegar solution and then washing it normally is enough to make the color appear brighter.
Choose a wash cycle that suits your clothes. For example, if you are washing delicate fabrics, choose a gentle wash cycle. Meanwhile, for clothes made from stronger materials like cotton or denim, you can use a normal wash cycle
Step 3. Dry or machine dry the clothes
After rinsing, the clothes will be clean of vinegar. So, clothes so will not smell sour after washing. You can dry clothes or dry them by machine, according to the care instructions on the label or how to dry normally.
- If it still smells a little vinegary, hang the clothes outside or machine dry them with a fabric softener sheet. The vinegar smell should go away once the clothes are dry.
- If the color of your clothes still looks dull, the dye may have worn off. In this case, you may have to use a clothing dye.
Method 3 of 4: Using Dyes to Restore the Color of Clothes
Step 1. Check the label on the garment to see if the material absorbs the dye
Some types of fabric absorb dye better than others. So, before trying to use dyes, look at clothing labels to find out what type of fabric they are made of. If it's made of at least 60% natural fibers such as cotton, silk, linen, flax, or wool, or if it's made of rayon or nylon, chances are the garment is pretty good at absorbing dye.
- The color of clothes made from a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers may not be as intense as clothes made from 100% natural fibers if they are dyed.
- If your garment is made of acrylic, spandex, polyester, or metallic fibers, or if the label says "Dry Clean Only," it's probably not absorbing dye well.
Tip:
Make sure the clothes you want to dye are perfectly clean. If there are spots or stains, the dye may not be able to absorb evenly into the fabric.
Step 2. Choose a dye that is as close to the original color as possible
If you want to make your clothes look like new again, take them to a home supply or craft store to choose a suitable dye. Try to find a dye that is as similar as possible, as it will produce the most vivid and natural colors possible.
If you want to change the color of your clothes, you will most likely need a decolorizer first
Step 3. Protect the skin and the area you are applying it to from the dye
Cover the area to be used with old newspaper, tarpaulin, or a plastic bag. That way, the splash of the dye won't leave stains on the counter, counter, or floor. Also, have a rag or kitchen tissue ready in case you need to quickly clean up any spilled dye. After that, wear old clothes and thick gloves so that your skin doesn't get stained with the dye.
You should protect your hands because contact with the dye can cause skin irritation
Step 4. Fill the container with warm water at about 50-60 °C
Most water heaters are set to a maximum temperature of 50 °C, but some are set to a maximum temperature of 60 °C. If you have a heater, water from the tap should suffice. If not, however, you can boil the water on the stove, then remove it just before it boils, or around 90 °C. Pour water into a bucket, large tub, or washing machine.
- You need about 11 liters of water for every 0.5 kg of clothing.
- Large buckets or pans are suitable for small items such as light tops, accessories, or children's clothes. Meanwhile, use a plastic tub or washing machine for larger items like sweaters or jeans.
- Most of the clothes weigh around 0, 2-0, 4 kg.
Step 5. Dissolve the salt and coloring matter in a small cup of water then pour it into the tub
Follow the directions on the dye package to determine the exact dose. Generally, you will need about 1/2 bottle of dye for every 0.5 kg of fabric. To help the dye absorb more easily, add 1/2 cup (150 grams) of salt for every 0.5 kg of clothing soaked in the dye solution. Stir the coloring matter and salt in a small cup of warm water until they are completely dissolved. After that, pour it into a larger container. Use a long spoon or metal tongs to mix the entire solution.
For easier cleaning, consider using a stick or plastic spoon when stirring the dye in a small container. That way, you can just throw it away when you're done
Step 6. Put the clothes in and soak them in the dye solution for 30-60 minutes while constantly stirring
Dip the garment into the dye solution and use a spoon or tongs to push it until it is completely submerged. Make sure the garment is completely saturated with the dye solution. To allow the dye to penetrate evenly into the fabric, stir the garment every 5-10 minutes. This will help prevent any creases or clumps from getting the dye into the fabric.
The more often you stir, the more evenly the color of the clothes will be. Some people prefer to keep stirring their clothes, while others find that just stirring every few minutes is enough
Step 7. Remove the clothes from the dye solution then rinse with cold water
After the recommended amount of time, or after the color has become sufficiently intense, use tongs or a spoon to gently lift the garment out of the dye bath. Transfer the clothes to the tub or sink and rinse under cold running water until the rinse is clear.
- Remember, the color of the garment will appear darker when it is still wet. Take this into account when determining if the garment has finished soaking.
- Immediately clean the sink or tub so that the dye does not leave stains.
Step 8. Machine wash the clothes in cold water without any other clothes
If you are satisfied with the resulting color, turn the garment over and place it in the washing machine. Even if you've rinsed out most of the dye manually, there will still be some that will run off when you wash your clothes. So, don't wash these clothes with other clothes, or other clothes will also get dyed. Start the engine on the cold water cycle.
Turning the garment inside out will help retain its color during washing
Step 9. Dry the clothes to see the final color
You can dry clothes or put them in the washing machine, depending on the type of fabric and your choice. Either way, when you're done, check your clothes to make sure the dye has absorbed evenly and hasn't left any spots or lighter areas. Make sure you are satisfied with the result.
If necessary, soak the garment in the dye solution again
Method 4 of 4: Trying Other Home Ingredients
Step 1. Try adding baking soda to the washing machine to make white clothes appear more brilliant
Baking soda is a homemade ingredient that can make clothes look brighter, and is especially effective on white clothes. Just put about 1/2 cup (90 grams) of baking soda in the washing machine drum along with your clothes and regular detergent.
Baking soda is also great for removing odors from clothes
Step 2. Restore the black color of the garment using a tea or coffee solution
If you need an easy and inexpensive way to bring black clothes back to like new, brew 2 cups (500 ml) of coffee or strong tea. Put the clothes in the washing machine and wash as usual, but don't go anywhere. When entering the rinse cycle, open the lid of the washing machine and pour in the coffee or tea. Allow the rinse cycle to complete then hang the clothes to dry.
Machine-drying black clothes can make the colors fade faster
Step 3. Add ground black pepper to the washing machine to make the color of the clothes more brilliant
Put the clothes in the washing machine as usual, then add 2-3 teaspoons (8-12 grams) of ground black pepper. The black pepper will help remove the detergent residue, while the powder will be carried away by the rinse water.
Step 4. Wash white clothes with hydrogen peroxide to make the color more vibrant
If your white clothes look faded or dull after several washes, you may be tempted to soak them in a bleach solution. However, over time, bleach can remove the color and make the fabric brittle. Instead, add 1 cup (250 ml) of hydrogen peroxide with laundry detergent and wash your clothes as usual.
Tips
- You can combine the techniques above to make the outfit extra brilliant. For example, adding vinegar and salt when washing clothes.
- Separate clothes by color, turn them inside out and wash them in cold water to prevent them from fading.
