Dark clothes don’t fade simply because dye washes out. Incorrect washing habits damage the fibers themselves, altering how they reflect light — and even if the dye is still there, the color looks washed out. Here are five laundry habits that will keep your darks looking rich and deep for far longer.
Always Turn Dark Clothes
Inside Out Before Washing
Inside a washing machine, your clothes are constantly rubbing against other fabrics and the drum wall. That friction hits the outer surface first — the very side that faces the world.
Turning clothes inside out redirects that friction and detergent contact to the inner layer, significantly reducing dye loss and fiber damage on the outside. For denim and cotton in particular, this single habit can more than double the color lifespan of a garment.
✓ Applies to jeans, tees, knitwear, and more
Use a Detergent Made
Specifically for Dark Colors
Many regular detergents contain optical brighteners — ingredients that absorb UV light and emit a blue-white glow. Great for whites, but a disaster for dark colors: they make blacks look grey and strip depth from every wash.
Dark-specific detergents like Perwoll Black or Woolite Darks are formulated without optical brighteners. Instead, they use color-locking polymers and fiber-coating agents that bind the dye to the fabric and smooth damaged fibers back into place — actively restoring rather than just cleaning.
✓ No optical brighteners — check the label
Wash Cold, and Use
Plenty of Water
Hot water causes fibers to expand, opening up gaps for dye molecules to escape. Always wash dark colors in cold water — 30°C (86°F) or below.
Water volume matters too. Too little water increases friction between garments and raises detergent concentration, both of which stress the fabric. Fill your machine to around 70–80% capacity and avoid overloading — clothes need room to move freely.
✓ Cold wash, 30°C or below
Spin Gently — Less Is More
High-speed spinning twists and stretches fibers under intense centrifugal force. When fiber surfaces become rough and irregular, they scatter light unevenly — making colors appear dull even if the dye is intact.
Set your spin cycle to a low speed, or use your machine’s delicate or gentle program. A little residual moisture won’t hurt — it evaporates easily during drying, and your clothes will thank you for the gentler treatment.
✓ 800 rpm or lower — use the delicate setting
Dry in the Shade —
Never in Direct Sunlight
UV rays from sunlight directly break down dye molecules through oxidation. This is one of the leading causes of fading in dark clothes — and it happens fast. When air-drying outside, always dry inside out in a shaded spot.
The heat from a tumble dryer is also damaging to both dye and fiber. Air drying is always the safest option. After line-drying in the shade, tumble them in the dryer on low heat for about 5 minutes when they are 90% dry. This will help soften any stiffness in the fabric.
If you must use a dryer, select the lowest heat setting available.