If you are a lover of black clothes, you’d have several of them in your closet for sure. Don’t you just hate it when people do not see that there are different shades of black– what’s worse is that some of your black shirts are not as black as they used to be. It is safe to assume that the way you do your laundry has something to do with this.

How to Handle Your Black Clothes

Other people may think that a black shirt is a black shirt, but you’d know how different new black is from faded black. Sure, it’s still black, but it’s not quite as dark as you’d want it to be.

Regardless of the color, fabrics will eventually fade. Sadly, it could be more noticeable on darker clothes. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your black clothes darker than black for a longer time.

Basically, it is ideal if you can turn the item inside out and use cold water when washing it. If using a washing machine, you should go for a gentle cycle with liquid detergent. You should also avoid tumble drying.

Sounds simple enough right? But there’s more! Find out how to properly care for and wash your black clothes here:

Wash less, care more.

Washing less does not necessarily mean wearing your black shirt about ten times before washing it. It is more about how you are washing your clothes. As mentioned previously, a gentle cycle is ideal. You want to agitate your black clothing items as little as possible. Turning them inside out also helps protect their color.

As convenient as it is to use a washing machine for the task, you should try to hand wash them as much as possible. Even the gentle cycle setting cannot match the gentleness of handwashing. Keep in mind that agitation and water can lift the dye from the fabric of your garment especially ones with natural fibers.

Different fibers interact with water in different ways. The type of fiber determines how clothes are dyed and how color-fast the dyes are. 

For instance, natural fibers are very absorbent– highly soluble dyes are used for this type of material. Although the color pay off is great at first, this combination means that the dye will come out of the fabric once you wash them.

The story is a little different when it comes to synthetic fibers.

Synthetic fibers have a distinct relationship with water, and as a result, they don’t fade as much. Because they are less absorptive than natural fibers, synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and nylon, tend to be more durable.

Since frequent washing of black apparel may cause the color to fade, clean them with “a little bit of non-comedogenic soap on a toothbrush with water”.

It’s also a good idea to treat problem areas like those where deodorant may have left marks with a stain stick before washing them. Alternatively, you could try using a fabric refreshing spray that you lightly mist before leaving to air.

Avoid the sun and dampness when you wash your black clothes.

When drying black clothing, keep them away from the sun. “UV radiation is the most powerful fading agent for textiles. Don’t leave your belongings outside on a line in direct sunshine if you want them to stay dark.”

Tailoring and coats are vulnerable to mold, so “it is critical to store your garments in an airy place that is free of dampness and moths.” Using lavender as a natural moth repellent.

Use a clothing brush to retouch your black textured clothes.

Use a clothing brush to bring textured knit fabrics back to life. To prevent marks from forming in the first place, wear a makeup scarf when changing clothes for special events like silk evening gowns. If markings do appear when you wash your black clothes, rubbing the cloth against itself might help remove them.

Fixing the fading color.

If you’re really handy and inventive, you can over-dying faded black clothes at home with a dye. Natural materials such as cotton, linen, or silk take dye more effectively than synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon. Wear gloves and a face mask and utilize a plastic container to avoid turning your bathtub.

The most crucial step is to dampen the garment before dyeing it and to stir it often while it’s in the pot. If you don’t keep the water running while dying a garment, you’ll end up with a streaky cloth. Always remember this when you wash your black clothes to ensure that their color is preserved.