7 Most Asked Laundry Questions and Answers: How can I prevent fading of my dark clothes?
It is normal that people are curious or concerned about certain things pertaining to their clothes and cleaning it. So we get a lot of these curiosity and concerns in the form of questions from our customers at Satoriale Drycleaners. Some of these questions recur quite often but 7 of them stood out. Let us take a look together at the 7 most asked laundry questions and their answers in this series of articles.
Que 3: How can I prevent fading of my dark clothes?
Prevention is the key to keeping dark clothes dark. If you haven’t been diligent in preventing fading, there is only one way to return your clothes to their original color – dye them. Adding coffee to the rinse water to keep black clothes black won’t work!
However, adding a cup of white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle will help remove detergent residue which dulls fabric. It will also relax the fibers of the clothes so lint doesn’t adhere as badly. So what are some ways you can prevent fading of dark clothes or at least slow the fading process down considerably?
Spot Treat Between Washes
Unless your clothing is really dirty or you’re very active in them, you can go four to five times without washing them. If you have any minor stains or spills, spot-treat them using a stain remover, gently blotting the affected area and letting air dry.
Wash In Cold Water
Whenever you do run a dark cycle, always use cold water. Warm water can hasten dye loss, so use a short, cool cycle to help preserve the fabric’s dye and fibers.
Turn Them Inside Out
Turning your dark clothing inside out minimizes the friction from rubbing against other clothing, which can break their fibers. Don’t forget to also close zippers and fasten any hooks.
Wash Only With Like Clothing
Keep your lights with your lights and your darks with your darks. Heavy items can ruin delicate clothing, and washing items of the same weight ensure they get properly cleaned with the appropriate cycle.
Use A Specialized Detergent
Use a specialized detergent for cold-water loads that can help neutralize the chlorine found in tap water, which can fade color. Use a small amount of detergent, as too much soap can leave a streaky residue on dark clothing.
Hang To Dry
The heat of the dryer can cause dark clothes to fade, so lay flat or hang dry whenever washing a dark load. If you do need to use a dryer, make sure you choose a short cycle time and the lowest temperature possible to avoid over-drying.