Q&A for How to Keep Black Clothes from Fading

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Why does my black clothes fade?

Ayad Mirjan
Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist
Ayad Mirjan is a Dry Cleaner and Laundry Specialist and the Founder of OrangeBag®, a toxin-free, sustainable, Los Angeles-based laundry and dry cleaning delivery service. Ayad has over four years of experience in the industry and he specializes in providing easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to professionals, families, and businesses. Ayad received his Bachelor's degree from The University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Henley Business School. He is also a board member of the Entrepreneur's Organization Accelerator (EOA).

Ayad Mirjan

Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist

Expert Answer

Heat causes black clothing to fade, whether it's from warm/hot water or a tumble dryer.

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Are all the products (coffee/tea, pepper, baking soda, vinegar, salt) added to the same wash cycle?

Community Answer

Yes. As long as it successfully washes, you'll be OK. If you are still worried about washing it, maybe get a piece of faded black cloth and try that first!

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How do I get my white clothes bright again?

Community Answer

First, read labels. Do not add bleach to white clothes that say not to. Add baking soda and vinegar to the wash cycle. The soda and vinegar mixture is a natural stripping agent and will brighten whites by dissolving stains.

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How do I stop a block top from accumulating lint?

Community Answer

Clean the filters on your dryer frequently, or hang it up to dry.

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If I put vinegar and baking soda in a wash cycle, will it cause overflow?

Midnight

Top Answerer

Yes, the chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda can create excessive foaming, which may lead to overflow. To prevent this, add them separately—vinegar during the rinse cycle and baking soda directly into the drum. Use small amounts, such as 1/2 cup to 1 cup of vinegar and 1/4 cup of baking soda for a standard load, or dissolve the baking soda in water first.

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When I refresh black clothes with dye, do I need to buy a commercial fixative, or are there more economical alternatives I can use?

Beatrix Devine

Community Answer

You can try using a salt and vinegar solution, which is a natural and economical alternative to help set dyes and prevent bleeding. To prepare this solution, combine 1/2 cup of salt with 1 cup of vinegar in one gallon of water. After dyeing your garment and before washing it, submerge it in this solution and let it soak for about 30 minutes before rinsing with cold water. Alternatively, you can use vinegar alone, which can help fix certain dyes, particularly on fabrics like wool or nylon, especially for clothes that haven't been washed yet; to use, simply add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle after dyeing.

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