Or better yet, not at all.

To prevent dark colors from fading, keep like colors together.

Washing and drying clothing is rough on the outside of your clothing.

tips to prevent color from fading illustration

The Spruce

Turning garments inside out reduces pilling, which dulls the look of the fabric.

It’s even more important to turn clothing inside out when you hang clothes outside to dry.

Check for instructions, which might say to wash only in cold water, or with like colors.

sorting lights and darks

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Don’t forget to check for drying instructions as well.

The label may indicate that the clothing needs to be dried on low, or drip-dried.

It makes the machine work harder, and it is tougher on your clothes.

turning clothes inside out to wash

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Similarly, clothing takes a lot longer to dry when a dryer is stuffed.

Let the items move freely by leaving a bit of room.

Don’t Overdry

It’s easy to let clothing overdry.

care label on a garment

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

While this is bad for all laundry, it is particularly bad for bright and dark colors.

Overdrying will cause your colors to fade.

Set a timer and don’t forget about your clothes.

don’t over stuff the washer

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Clothes should be slightly damp when they are pulled from the dryer.

Just remember to turn colored items inside out to prevent fading from the sun.

There are several detergents on the market that are formulated to prevent fading and color loss.

washing with cold water

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

If you find any stains, be sure to pretreat it beforehand.

If you’re unsure how to get rid of certain stains, try The Spot Check tool below.

loading the dryer

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

adding vinegar to the laundry

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

color safe detergent for laundry

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida