How to wash black clothes and dark colors without fading
Black clothes are a timeless classic – they match almost any outfit and therefore get worn a lot. It’s no surprise that you may have to wash black clothes often! Knowing how to wash black clothes while protecting from fading is essential if you want to keep your garments looking crisp and fresh. Here’s how to do a black wash for clothes.
How to wash black clothes and dark fabrics, step by step
First and most importantly, you should decide whether your clothes really need a wash, or if they can just be hung out to air a bit. Sweaty or soiled clothes should certainly be washed, but if you wash your clothes every time you wear them, they may get more worn out! Think about whether your clothes really need a wash, and the proceed to the next steps if you think they do.
- Sort your clothes – Make sure that you’re just washing dark colored clothing, and that no light or white garments are hidden in the mix. This will prevent your lighter colored clothes going gray or getting stained, .
- Use the right detergent – Less is more when it comes to washing black clothes, and that goes for the amount of detergent you use too. Of course, you’ll need enough to get rid of any dirt and grime, but using too much isnt good either . If you use a high quality detergent, such as Persil® ProClean® Original Scent Liquid Detergent, the fact you’re using less won’t make a difference to how clean your garments get.
- Wash dark clothes in cold water – Do you wash black clothes in cold water? Yes! Cooler temperatures help keep garments vibrant for longer, so as long as you’re using a good quality detergent, you can wash black clothes at cooler temperatures. Better for your clothes, and the environment!
Top tip from our pros: If you’ve got stains on your black clothes, you may still be able to skip the hot water in your black wash for clothes and instead pre-treat the stain thoroughly with the right stain removal product such as Persil® ProClean® Stain Fighter. If you’re not sure what the best way to remove your stain is, check out the helpful Persil® Stain Advisor site.
Top Tip: Water temperature when washing black clothes
You may be wondering in what water you wash dark clothes. If you wash your clothes in hot water, you relax the fibers more effectively, and can get out stains and stubborn dirt. However, this also causes more wear and tear on the clothing, causing the color to fade. If you’re wondering whether to wash dark clothes in hot or cold water, the best thing to do is to go for a slightly colder temperature than the maximum given on the care label. Washing dark clothes in cold water helps them keep their color and minimizes damage to your garment.