Ever bought a pair of new black T-shirts? You wear it and then wash it like any other piece of clothing. After multiple washes, the color appears to have lost its depth and now looks gray. Perhaps you notice that your favorite pair of jeans does not look as blue as it once did. That gorgeous colored kurta you had does not look the same anymore. These are some examples of clothes losing their color after multiple washes.

Clothes fading after washing is one of the most common laundry issues that people face. Clothes will eventually lose their color after years of wear and wash. There are some steps that you can take to ensure your clothes don’t lose color after each wash.

You can prevent your clothes from fading after washing by following the tips mentioned in this article. Here are some tips to help you keep your clothes from losing their color after washing.

Why Do Clothes Lose Color After Multiple Washes?

All colors that you see on your clothes are created using dyes. Some fabrics allow the dye to stay longer while others do not.

Each time you wash your clothes, the dye gets affected by water and washing detergent. After multiple washes, the color may begin to look dull and lifeless.

Here are some reasons why clothes fade after washing.

• Using Hot Water: Using hot water can cause certain dyes to fade from your clothes.
• Using Harsh Detergents: Not all detergents are suitable for your clothes. Using the wrong detergent can cause your clothes to fade.
• Washing Clothes Frequently: The more you wash your clothes, the faster they will fade.
• Direct Sunlight: Leaving your clothes in the sun for a long period of time can cause the dye to fade.
• Agitation: If you set your washing machine on a high spin setting, it can cause your clothes to fade.
• Bleach: Bleach can permanently alter the color of your clothes.

As you can see, there are many factors that can cause your clothes to lose color. Although there is no way to stop your clothes from fading completely, you can take steps to prolong their life span.

Tips to Keep Clothes From Losing Color After Washing

There are many ways that you can prevent your clothes from losing color. By using the right laundry methods, you can ensure that your clothes stay colorful for longer.

Read the Label

The first step to preventing your clothes from fading is to read the care label. Every garment that you own will have a label that tells you how to wash it.

The label on your clothes will tell you what temperature you can wash your clothes in and if you can use bleach. It will also tell you if your clothes can be tumble dried or line dried.

Here are some examples of what the label on your clothes may say.

• Wash Separately
• Cold Water
• Wash Inside Out
• Do Not Bleach
• Dry in Shade
• Dry Clean Only

As you can see, some clothes require more care than others. If your clothes are black, you may think that they can be washed just like your white shirts. But this may not be the case. Always check the label before washing your clothes.

Wash Like Colors Together

Another way to prevent your clothes from fading is to wash them with similar colors. If you wash dark-colored clothes with light-colored clothes, the dye may transfer and cause your light clothes to fade.

Here are some ways that you can separate your laundry.

• Whites
• Light Colored
• Dark Colored
• Bright Colors

If you have just bought a new pair of jeans or kurta, it may be best to wash them separately the first few times. Especially if the label states that it should be washed separately. This will help your light-colored clothes from getting stained.

Wash Your Colored Clothes in Cold Water

While hot water is great for getting stains out, it may not be best for your colored clothes. As mentioned above, hot water can cause your dyes to fade. If you want to keep your clothes from losing color after washing, you should wash them in cold water.

Washing your clothes in cold water will help:

• Keep your colors brighter
• Help with delicate fabrics
• Save energy
• Prevent your clothes from shrinking

Of course, cold water will not stop your clothes from fading completely. But it can help slow down the process. Make sure to check your clothes label to see if cold water is okay to use.

Wash Your Clothes Inside Out

Have you ever noticed that the outside of your jeans or T-shirt looks more faded than the inside? This could be because of the washing process and normal wear and tear.

By turning your clothes inside out, you can prevent some color loss from occurring on the outside of your clothes. This can help keep your black T-shirts and jeans looking newer for longer.

Turn your clothes inside out before placing them in the washing machine. This may not stop all color loss, but it can help.

Use a Gentle Wash Setting

Your washing machine will have many different settings. Some are designed for heavy-duty clothes while others are for delicate clothes.

Using the wrong setting on your washing machine can cause your clothes to fade. Try to use a shorter or gentler wash cycle to help your clothes last longer.

Here are some examples of wash settings.

Washing Machine Setting	Suitable Clothing
Normal Wash	Everyday clothing suitable for a normal wash
Delicate	Light and delicate clothing
Quick Wash	Lightly soiled clothing suitable for a quick wash
Heavy Duty	Towels or clothing that are very dirty
Wool	Wool garments that can be machine washed

Try not to overdo it and put your clothes on a heavy wash cycle. Just because you want your clothes to be cleaner doesn’t mean you should use the highest setting. Also, keep in mind that just because your washing machine has a delicate setting does not mean your clothes can be machine washed.

Use the Proper Laundry Detergent

The type of detergent you use can play a role in your clothes losing color. Some detergents will contain bleach, which can cause your clothes to lose color.

When washing colored clothes, use a detergent that is designed for colors. Follow the instructions on the bottle to ensure you are not using too much.

• Use a color-safe detergent.
• Don’t use bleach.
• Use the proper amount of detergent.
• Read instructions before using any stain remover.
• Use detergents that are designed for the fabric you are washing.

Using more detergent will not make your clothes cleaner. It can actually leave a residue on your clothes that makes them look dull. If your clothes look faded after washing, it may be from detergent or lint buildup.

Don’t Overload Your Washing Machine

Overloading your washing machine can also cause your clothes to fade. By overloading your washing machine, you are not allowing your clothes to rinse properly. They may also tangle together and rub against each other.

Make sure to not overload your washing machine. Wash heavy clothes like jeans separately from other clothes.

Don’t Wash Your Clothes Too Often

Every time you wash your clothes, the dye will start to fade. Of course, if your clothes are dirty, you should wash them. But there are some pieces of clothing that don’t need to be washed after every wear.

Maybe you wore your jacket over a clean outfit and don’t need to wash it right away. But something like underwear would need to be washed after every use. Always assess your clothes before throwing them in the laundry basket.

How to Dry Your Clothes Without Losing Color

Just like washing your clothes can cause them to fade, so can drying your clothes. If you leave your clothes in the sun, they will start to lose their color.

Here are some ways to dry your clothes that will help them not fade.

• Dry your clothes in the shade.
• Do not dry your clothes on high heat.
• Dry your clothes inside out.
• Take your clothes out of the washer right away.

If you are drying your clothes in the dryer, make sure to use the proper temperature and settings that are recommended on your clothes label.

How to Keep Different Colored Clothes From Fading

Different types of fabric will react differently when washed. Here are some ways to keep your clothes from losing color based on the type of fabric.

Fabric	Color Care
Cotton	Wash in cool water and with like colors
Denim	Wash inside out and don’t wash too often
Linen	Wash on a gentle setting if approved on the label. Don’t over-dry
Silk	Use proper methods to wash silk
Wool	Wash with proper wool care instructions
Polyester	Don’t use too much heat or aggressive methods
Rayon/Viscose	Follow the label. May require dry cleaning

Cotton

Many of our day-to-day clothes are made of cotton, whether it’s T-shirts, shirts, kurtas or dresses. Cotton clothes can fade over time if washed incorrectly.

To prevent cotton from losing color, wash in cool water and turn your dark clothes inside out. Also, try to avoid leaving them in the sun for long periods of time.

Jeans/Denim

As jeans get older, they tend to fade. Some jeans are designed to fade and others are not. To keep your jeans dark, wash them less often and inside out.

Silk and Wool

Some clothes require special care, such as silk sarees and wool sweaters. If you machine wash these types of clothes, they may lose their color or shape. Always check the care instructions before washing your clothes. Check out our article on Types of Fabric to learn more about washing, drying and caring for different fabrics.

Does Vinegar and Salt Keep Clothes From Fading?

Many people believe that adding vinegar or salt to your laundry will keep your clothes from fading. While this may work for some, it is not guaranteed.

Depending on the type of fabric and dye your clothes have will determine if they will fade or not. Adding salt and vinegar to your washing machine will not guarantee that your clothes will not fade.

Make sure to follow the instructions on your clothes label to help keep your clothes from losing color. Don’t experiment with household chemicals on your clothes.

Can You Fix Clothes That Have Lost Color?

Once your clothes have lost their color, there is not much you can do to fix it. Unless you want to re-dye your clothes, there is nothing you can do.

If your clothes just look dull, it may be from detergent or lint. Try washing your clothes with the proper amount of detergent and see if that helps.

You can always try dyeing your clothes, but this may not work on all types of fabric. It can also alter the color of your clothes. It’s always best to prevent your clothes from losing color in the first place.

Should I Dry Clean My Clothes?

Most clothes that you can machine wash are fine to wash at home. There are some pieces of clothing that you may want to dry clean. If you have a silk sari or other piece of clothing that may lose color in the washing machine, it’s best to dry clean them.

Dry cleaning your clothes will ensure that they don’t lose color or shape. mr. blue provides dry cleaning services for all your clothing needs.

There are many reasons why you should dry clean your clothes. Depending on the type of fabric and color, it may be best to have them professionally cleaned.

If you have any questions about whether you should wash or dry clean your clothes, check out our article on Dry Cleaning Vs Washing.

Final Words

Now that you know how to keep your clothes from fading, you can implement these tips into your laundry routine. By washing your clothes in cold water and separating them by color, you can help your clothes last longer.

Just remember to always check the label on your clothes before washing. This will ensure that your clothes look great for many washes to come.

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