What do you wash dark clothes in to keep them from fading? My son’s job requires him to wear black jeans, but they can’t look worn out. It’s too expensive to keep buying new pairs. I want to give him some tips to help him with the laundry.
Alisa Betts, Richmond, IN
I can imagine the problem your son is having with his clothes. Black tends to fade quickly. But I have a few tips for you to help him to wash dark jeans and keep them from fading as quickly.
The first step is to read the label on the clothing. Chances are it recommends washing the jeans with cold water. But his choice of detergent will also make an impact on how long his clothes retain their colorfastness.
For future reference, you can review all the information I’m about to give you on this page about how to was dark clothes.
First, it’s better to work with liquid detergent water because powdered soap doesn’t dissolve as easily. Second, he can use a mild product like Woolite. Third, tell him to wash the jeans inside out.
When it’s time to dry the dark clothes, use the dryer on a low setting. If he needs to hang the pants to drip dry, don’t place them out in the sunshine. And finally, if he decides to try using a dry cleaner, the jeans may fade all the same from the chemicals and high heat.
There is one other trick to try. Some people have had success using vinegar in the wash. Mixing in half cup of vinegar to the final rinse will soften the jeans and get rid of any soap residue that might make them look faded or dull.
In conclusion, I hope these ideas help your son to save money and get better results with the laundry.