Here’s how to wash black clothes to prevent fading:
- 1. Check your garment’s care label for specific washing instructions
- 2. Separate your laundry by color and fabric type
- 3. Turn your garments inside out
- 4. Use cold water
- 5. Use pre-measured laundry pods
- 6. Wash your clothes using the delicate cycle
- 7. Hang your clothes to air-dry
Keeping black clothes looking like they did the day you bought them can feel like a full-time job. One wrong move and your jet-black jeans go from sleek and chic to looking like they’ve seen better days in about five washes.
Whether you’re the kind of person who only wears black (it’s a vibe) or just trying to keep your wardrobe staples from fading into oblivion, this guide will save you from the heartbreak of dull, lifeless clothes.
Keep reading to learn the proper temperature, wash cycle, and drying technique to make sure your black clothes stay sharp.
1. Check Your Garment’s Care Label
Before you rush into laundry day, check the care label on your garment. That little tag is a cheat sheet for not ruining your clothes. It’ll tell you if the item can handle machine washing, what temperature to use, and how to dry it to maintain the fabric’s color and integrity.
2. Sort Your Dark Laundry Properly
Sorting your laundry is essential to prevent damage and dye transfer during the wash cycle. But if you thought you could wash all your black laundry in one load, think again. Here’s how to separate your laundry like a pro:
Separate by color: Create piles of white, light, and dark clothing.
Separate by fabric type: Heavy fabrics such as towels and sheets should be washed separately from lightweight fabrics like cotton and silk. Delicate items—including silk, lace, linen, and lingerie—should get their own dedicated cycle.
3. Turn Your Garments Inside Out
Turning dark-colored clothes inside out before tossing them in the wash will prevent the black dye from fading too fast. Plus, it helps protect the outer fabric from the rough tumble of the wash cycle, especially when paired with zippers, buttons, or anything else that could snag and ruin your vibe.
If you want to take things a step further, consider placing your black clothes in a mesh laundry bag for an extra layer of protection from the agitation inside the washer drum.
4. Use Cold Water
Using cold water is the most important thing you can do to prevent black clothes from losing their rich, dark color. Always set your washing machine to the coldest possible temperature when you wash your black clothes.
Hot water is like a vampire—it’ll suck the life (and color) out of your clothes faster than you can say “faded.”
Washing your black clothes in cold water isn’t just about preserving their color. It also prevents them from shrinking and can even save you some money since it requires less energy.
5. Use a Laundry Pod Instead of Liquid Detergent
Liquid laundry detergent often gets over-poured, leading to residue buildup that dulls your dark clothes. Plus, who wants to deal with those messy caps that always end up sticky?
No matter what color clothes you’re washing, laundry pods are the way to go. They’re pre-measured so you don’t accidentally overdo it on the detergent and turn your clothes into a sudsy mess.
If you want your clothes to smell as amazing as they look, use Laundry Sauce: the world’s best-smelling laundry detergent. Our high-performance pods are infused with luxurious fragrances like Australian Sandalwood, Italian Bergamot, and Egyptian Rose. Just be prepared to get a ton of compliments about how irresistible you smell.
6. Use the Delicate Cycle On Your Washing Machine
The less time your black clothes spend in the washer, the better. Accordingly, we recommend selecting the delicate cycle. This setting uses lower spin speeds and gentler agitation, which means your clothes won’t get stressed out and lose their color or shape. Treat your darks like they’re on a spa day—gentle, relaxed, and wrinkle-free.
7. Hang to Air Dry
Heat from your dryer can cause dark clothes to fade fast, turning a sharp black into a washed-out gray. Not to mention, dryers can shrink your clothes. Accordingly, we recommend air-drying black clothes to preserve the color as long as possible. The extra wait is worth it—trust us.
Pro tip: Don’t hang your clothes outside, since sun exposure can lead to fading.
If you choose to tumble dry your black clothes, turn them inside out and use a low-heat setting (or no heat at all) to minimize any chances of fading.
Common Questions About Washing Black Clothes
Black clothes are stylish and versatile—the last thing you need is to turn them two shades lighter when laundry day rolls around.
Is It Better to Wash Black Clothes in Hot or Cold Water?
Cold water is always the way to go. It’s gentle on the fabric and helps prevent the dye from bleeding, keeping your black clothes looking sharp.
Does Vinegar Keep Black Clothes from Fading?
Yes, adding a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle can help lock in color and prevent fading. It also acts as a natural fabric softener.
Should You Put Black Clothes in the Dryer?
Putting black clothes in the dryer can speed up the fading process. That’s why we usually recommend hanging your black clothes to air-dry to keep them looking fresh (and properly sized).
Should You Use Laundry Detergent for Black Clothes?
Yes, you need to use laundry detergent to eliminate odors, dirt, and sweat from black clothes. The key is using the proper amount of detergent—that’s why you’re better off using pre-measured laundry pods.
Laundry Sauce Pods Keep Dark Clothes in their Prime
Dumping a cup full of neon-colored sludge over your black clothes is asking for a disaster. Do your wardrobe a favor and ditch your old detergent for Laundry Sauce. Our premium pods revive your fabrics and infuse your outfits with irresistible fragrances.
Plus, with their no-mess, no-measure convenience, you’ll spend less time stressing over laundry and more time enjoying the fact that your clothes actually look as good as they smell.
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