How To Wash Dark Clothes
Without Fading
Dark clothes have one irritating habit: they don't stay dark forever.
After enough trips through the washer and dryer, a favorite navy shirt can look washed out, dark jeans can turn noticeably lighter, and that once-deep charcoal sweater can start looking like it's had a difficult life.
Fortunately, how you wash dark clothes makes a difference.
To keep dark clothes from fading, wash them in cold water, turn them inside out, use the shortest wash cycle, choose a detergent designed for dark or colored fabrics, and avoid excessive dryer heat.
Here's how to wash dark clothes and keep them from fading.
How to Wash Dark Clothes: The Quick Answer
For most washable dark clothing:
1. Read the care label first.
2. Separate dark clothes from whites and light colors.
3. Turn dark clothes inside out.
4. Wash in cold water unless the care label says otherwise.
5. Choose a normal or gentle cycle appropriate for the fabric.
6. Use the correct amount of detergent—more isn't better.
7. Remove clothes promptly when the cycle ends.
8. Air-dry when practical or tumble-dry on a low-heat setting.
Those few changes can help reduce fading, lint, and unnecessary wear.
This guide to choosing the right laundry temperature can help.
1. Separate Dark Clothes from Light Clothes
Start by sorting your laundry. Wash dark-colored clothing separately from whites and pale colors.
Dark dyes—particularly on new garments—may transfer during washing. Separating your laundry also keeps white lint from hitching a ride on your dark clothes.
You can wash similar dark colors together, including:
- Black
- Navy
- Charcoal
- Dark brown
- Burgundy
- Deep green
- Dark purple
But don't sort by color alone.
Consider fabric weight, soil level, and care instructions. Heavy dark jeans tumbling against a delicate blouse may share a color palette, but they don't necessarily belong in the same load.
2. Turn Dark Clothes Inside Out Before Washing
Turn dark jeans, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and other washable dark garments inside out before washing.
Why?
The outside surface of clothing takes the brunt of the friction created when garments rub against one another during washing.
Over time, that wear can make dark fabric appear faded or fuzzy.
Turning clothes inside out doesn't stop all fading, but it helps protect the side everyone actually sees. It can also be particularly useful for clothing with printed designs.
3. What Temperature Should You Wash Dark Clothes In?
For most washable dark clothing, cold water is a good default choice. Hotter water can be harder on some dyes and fabrics. Cold water is generally gentler and can help reduce color loss.
Read the item's care label. The manufacturer's care label instructions should take priority over a one-temperature-fits-everything rule.
And there's no need to break out a thermometer. Use your washer's cold setting unless the garment calls for something different.
4. Choose the Right Wash Cycle for Dark Clothes
A longer, more aggressive washing cycle doesn't necessarily produce cleaner clothes. It does produce more agitation, which is hard on fabrics and the dyes contained within.
For lightly or normally soiled dark clothes, choose the shortest cycle that's appropriate for the fabric and soil level.
Wash delicate clothing according to its care instructions.
The goal is to get clothing clean without subjecting it to more friction than necessary.
That matters because repeated friction contributes to fabric wear, and worn fibers can make dark clothing appear faded.
5. What's the Best Detergent for Dark Clothes?
You don't necessarily need a special detergent for dark clothing. But it can simplify things come wash day if you have it handy in the laundry room.
For dark loads: A detergent formulated for dark fabrics, such as Woolite Darks Defense Liquid Laundry Detergent, can be useful if fading is a particular concern.
It’s designed for dark clothing and works in both regular and HE washing machines.
What matters is using the right amount of laundry detergent.
Follow the detergent manufacturer's directions, taking into account:
- Load size
- Soil level
- Washer type
- Water conditions
Don't assume more detergent means cleaner clothes. Using too much detergent makes it harder to rinse detergent completely from fabric.
Residue is especially noticeable on dark clothing and can leave clothes looking dull or streaky.
For tough stains, use color-safe bleach.
6. Don't Overload the Washing Machine
It's tempting to squeeze three more shirts and one last pair of jeans into the washer.
Resist.
Clothes need enough room for water and detergent to circulate and for the load to rinse properly.
Overloading the washer can result in inadequate washing and rinsing, potentially leaving detergent residue and lint behind.
Dark fabrics are particularly unforgiving about showing both.
7. How to Keep Dark Clothes From Fading
You can't keep clothing looking new forever, but you can reduce unnecessary fading.
Wash dark clothes only when they need it. Every trip through the washing machine creates some wear. Not every dark garment needs laundering after a brief wearing.
Wash dark clothes with visible stains, or after a long day's wear, rather than automatically washing everything after one use.
Turn Dark Clothes Inside Out Before Washing
This helps protect the visible surface from some of the friction of washing, which can result in color loss.
Use Cold Water To Minimize Color Fading
Cold water is gentler on dark dyes.
Too much detergent can leave residue that makes dark clothing look dull.
Use The Appropriate Wash Cycle
More agitation isn't automatically better cleaning.
Minimize Dryer Heat
Washing isn't the only part of laundry day that can strip your dark clothes of their bold color. How you dry dark clothing matters too.
8. How to Dry Dark Clothes Without Fading
High heat and prolonged tumbling can wear out fabric, regardless of color. When possible, air-dry clothes.
Hang clothing or lay garments flat, following their care instructions.
If you're using the dryer:
- Check the care label.
- Choose the lowest effective heat setting.
- Don't overdry the load.
- Remove clothing when it's dry.
There's no advantage to continuing to tumble already-dry clothes.
And if you're air-drying outside, don't leave dark garments sitting in strong direct sunlight unnecessarily. Prolonged sun exposure can fade some dyes.
How To Wash New Dark Clothes the First Time
New dark clothing deserves a little extra attention because some garments may release excess dye during their first few washes.
First, read the care label.
Wash new dark garments with similar colors. If you're concerned about dye transfer, wash the item separately the first time.
Turn the garment inside out and use cold water. There's no need to automatically add a collection of household ingredients to "set" the color.
Following the garment manufacturer's washing instructions is the safest starting point.
How To Wash Dark Jeans
Dark jeans can fade quickly because denim experiences considerable friction during washing and drying.
To help preserve dark denim:
- Turn jeans inside out.
- Zip zippers and fasten buttons.
- Wash with similar dark colors.
- Use cold water when the care label permits.
- Avoid washing more often than necessary.
- Use an appropriate wash cycle.
- Air-dry when practical or use low dryer heat.
And check the pockets. A forgotten tissue in a load of dark clothing can turn into about 40,000 tiny white pieces.
Why Do Dark Clothes Fade After Washing?
Several things can leave dark clothing looking faded or dull.
Dye loss: Some color loss naturally occurs over repeated washing.
Fabric wear: Friction can roughen fibers and change the fabric's appearance.
Excessive heat: Repeated high-temperature washing or drying can be hard on some fabrics and dyes.
Detergent residue: Too much detergent or insufficient rinsing can leave clothing looking cloudy or streaky.
Lint: Light-colored lint is especially obvious against dark fabrics.
Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can fade some colors.
Before assuming the dye itself has faded, look closely. What looks like fading may actually be lint or detergent residue.
Should You Use Vinegar To Keep Dark Clothes From Fading?
Vinegar is frequently recommended online as a universal trick for preserving dark colors.
It's not necessary for routine washing.
Modern clothing contains many different fibers and dyes, and washing-machine manufacturers have their own recommendations about additives.
Start with the basics: follow the garment's care label, use an appropriate detergent, wash at the correct temperature, and don't use more products than you need.
Laundry doesn't need to become a chemistry experiment.
Can You Wash Dark Clothes Together?
Usually, yes. Black, navy, charcoal, dark brown, and other deep colors can generally be washed together when their fabrics and care instructions are compatible.
Be more cautious with new garments that may release excess dye. And remember that color isn't the only reason to separate laundry.
A heavy pair of jeans and a delicate top may both be navy, but that doesn't make them ideal washing-machine companions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Washing Dark Clothes
Should you wash dark clothes in hot or cold water?
Cold water is a good choice for dark clothing because it's gentler on many dyes and fabrics. Always follow the garment's care label if it specifies another temperature.
What setting should you wash dark clothes on?
Choose a cycle appropriate for the fabric and soil level. A normal or gentle cycle suits many everyday dark garments, but the care label should guide you.
Should you turn dark clothes inside out?
Yes. Turning dark clothes inside out reduces friction on the visible surface during washing and helps minimize the worn appearance that develops over time.
What colors can you wash with dark clothes?
Black, navy, charcoal, dark brown, and other deep colors can often be washed together. Also consider fabric type, garment weight, and washing instructions when sorting.
How do you keep dark clothes from fading?
Wash dark clothes only as often as necessary, turn them inside out, use cold water when appropriate, measure detergent correctly, choose an appropriate cycle, and avoid excessive dryer heat.
Why do my dark clothes have white marks after washing?
White streaks or marks may be caused by detergent residue or lint. Avoid overloading the washer, measure detergent correctly, and make sure the load rinses thoroughly.
The Bottom Line
Keeping dark clothes dark doesn't require a complicated laundry routine.
Separate them from light colors, turn them inside out, use cold water when appropriate, measure detergent correctly, and go easy on dryer heat.
Eventually, clothes will show their age. That's what happens when you actually wear them.
But good washing habits can postpone the point when "deep navy" becomes "indeterminate blue-gray."
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