All dyed or printed clothes fade eventually. Some of the common reasons for colour fading in clothes are overwashing, sun exposure, a shorter lifespan of fabric dyes, not doing proper fabric care, or simply the influence of time.
The UV rays in sunlight can create a natural bleaching effect on dyed fabrics. This means that all dyed or printed clothing will gradually fade under direct sunlight or UV exposure.
Then comes the color-retention quality of the dye molecules. This includes when and how the colour is added to the fibre, the quality of the dyes used, and the quality of the mordants used to "fix" the dyes to the fibre.
Unfortunately, clothes won’t last forever no matter much we care for them, but by following a few simple tips you can add a lot more wear to your wardrobe.
How to stop clothes from fading in the wash
Turn the clothes inside out
Laundry processes, such as washing, drying, and ironing, can be quite harsh on your clothing, particularly those with prints. By turning your clothes inside out, you can reduce friction on the visible side of the garment from other items spinning in the cycle.
To further minimise colour bleeding during the washing process, make sure to always sort your laundry on the basis of colour before tossing it in the laundry machine.
Use a mild detergent
There is a growing trend of “eco-printing” in the textile industry. While the natural plant dyes are eco-friendlier, unfortunately, they can be removed swiftly if you use heavy-duty washing powders and liquids for laundering these garments.
In the case of “eco-printed fabrics,” you can use soap nuts, which are generally available at health food stores. All you need to do is put the soap nuts into the washing machine after soaking them in boiling water for a few minutes. This will both clean your fabric and keep it from fading.
For all other prints or dyed garments, try to opt for a bio laundry powder—one that doesn’t strip away the vibrancy or freshness of your clothing.
Use cold water for washing
This is the one and only case where even the care label rules are broken. Warm water can release colour and make garments fade quicker. So, if the care label recommends warm washing temperatures, but proceed with caution. Your best bet for preventing colour fading in laundry is to wash using cold water. Here is a quick overview of washing temperature ranges and the fading impact that it has on your clothing.
- Cold water (below 80°F/27°C): Minimal color fading
- Warm water (80°F/27°C to 90°F/32°C): Moderate color fading
- Hot water (90°F/32°C to 100°F/38°C): Noticeable color fading
- Very hot water (above 100°F/38°C): Significant color fading
Don’t use too much detergent
It may come as a surprise, but you don’t need to fill up your machine with detergent every time you do laundry. For instance, I recently learned that putting in a tablespoon of laundry powder is more than enough to effectively clean your everyday clothing. Not only does it save money, but it also avoids creating soap residue buildup in your machine and on your clothing keeping your fabrics and washing machine fresher for longer.
Use BIORESTORE cotton
If you want to see your cottons just as vibrant as the day you bought them, using BIORESTORE Re-Tergent is the best option. This bio laundry powder removes lint and pilling and revives the original texture and colour of cotton fabrics in just one home wash. So, you can easily bring your faded prints back to life by using BIORESTORE Re-Tergent.
Use the “gentle” cycle
Try washing your garments on a “gentle” setting to prevent clothing from fading. The gentle setting is much less aggressive than the regular cycle, making it extra safe for your favourite prints. Plus, your clothes are bound to experience much less wear-and-tear when washed on a gentle cycle. Some washing machines also have the “eco” setting, which is also ideal for preventing colour fading.
Don’t overstuff the washing machine
It's tempting to fill the washing machine to the brim, but there are multiple downsides to this. Doing so is a lot more aggressive on your clothes and makes the washing machine work even harder. Clothing that is crammed into the washing machine also doesn’t come out properly clean since the detergent and water from the rinse aren't distributed evenly in the washer. In the exact same way, clothes take a lot longer to dry in a crowded dryer. Therefore, it is best to leave some space so that the clothing items can move around easily.
Dry Carefully
Air drying, whether done indoors or outdoors, is a safer option than using an electric dryer on a higher heat setting. However, if you can’t airdry your clothes due to a shortage of time or any other reason, be careful not to use too high a heat setting and do not over dry the clothing as this can lead the fabrics becoming brittle and stiff.
If you choose to air dry your clothes on a line outside, make sure the clothes are inside out to prevent colour fading from the sun, or dry your clothes in the shade to prevent UV damage. For best fabric care, once the garments have dried, bring them indoors and store them in your wardrobe away from any getting direct light.
What to do with faded clothing?
There is plenty that you can do with faded clothing. Here are some ways to make the most of your faded fabrics instead of throwing them out.
Tie dying
There are lots of great tutorials and YouTube videos for tie dying and you need minimal equipment to do this. Start with just a few paint bottles and textile dyes which are available at most craft shops. Once you feel comfortable with the process, it’s time to tie and dye with colors and let you imagination run free. Once you’re finished, You’ll have a great looking and unique t-shirt that you have repurposed and saved from the trash pile.
BIORESTORE wash
BIORESTORE Re-Tergent can revive clothes with at least 70% cotton composition in only one home laundry wash. Most of the time, your wardrobe staples can appear dull and worn-out due to lint, pilling, bobbles, etc. By using BIORESTORE, you can revive your fabrics without any extra hassle.
Now that you know several tips to avoid colour fading in clothes, here is a quick recap of what we learned in this blog. We now know the best temperature to wash your clothes on, pick the right washing temperature, and select the ideal laundry care products for your fabrics. By incorporating these fabric care tips and tricks in your laundry regime, you can keep your lovely prints fresh for longer.
