READ CLOTHING LABELS
Before washing your clothes, always check your garment’s care tag for proper washing and drying instructions.
SEPARATE LIGHTS FROM DARK
Dark items, no matter what you do, tend to bleed color a little when you wash them. Sorting your dark-colored clothing before washing helps prevent dye transfers and color absorption with lighter colors.
DON’T GO FOR HEAVY WASH SETTING
If your clothes are not overly dirty, don’t choose the heavy wash setting just to make sure they get “extra clean.” All you’re doing is exposing your laundry to further wear and tear, making your clothes fade much faster.
SKIP THE DRYER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
Avoid the dryer if you want to prevent your clothing from fading. The agitation of tumble drying makes the surface of clothing fibres rough, making the colour appear faded.
TURN YOUR WASHING INSIDE OUT
Turning your clothing inside out before washing is a neat trick you can use to avoid fading. Doing so protects the outer fibres from wearing down during the wash cycle while the inner fibres take the brunt of the damage.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT LAUNDRY DETERGENT
A liquid detergent tailored for dark clothing is the best method to prevent fading. However, if you only have regular detergent on hand, use a small amount in the washing cycle.
WASH IN COLD WATER
One of the top laundry tips is to wash colored clothes in cold water. Modern detergents are designed to work just as effectively in cold water as they do in warm or hot.
