How to Prevent Clothes from Fading
Clothes fading over time is less than ideal but a common occurrence due to various factors such as ignoring care label instructions, exposure to sunlight, repeated washing, harsh detergents, and friction during wear.
If you usually ignore the care label and toss the laundry in the wash with detergent, your clothes probably suffer.
However, with a little planning and preparation, such as adding Vanish, which removes tough stains and odors, enhances the garment's appearance by brightening colors and whites, and prolongs its lifespan without compromising fabric integrity.
But no need to fret; you don’t have to possess magical laundry skills to protect your clothes from fading.
Steps to prevent clothes from fading
By following the simple laundry tips outlined below, you can effectively preserve the vibracy of your clothes.
1. Follow care label instructions
Before washing your clothes, always check their care tag for invaluable washing and drying instructions. Following the right instructions from the beginning helps prevent fading and ensures your clothing lives a long and colorful life.
2. Separate color from whites
Wash colored and white clothes separately to prevent colors from bleeding onto whites, avoid discoloration, and maintain the vibrancy of the fabrics. Separating them also helps preserve the original appearance and quality of the clothes, ensuring they look good and last longer.
3. Using specialized additive
Use specialized stain removal additives, such as Vanish Oxi Action Powder for colored clothes and Vanish Oxi Action Crystal White Powder for whites. Add 1 scoop (60g) to every wash to remove stains, odors, and 99.9% germs while preserving the colors and increasing the clothes' lifespan.
4. Turn inside out
Ideally, this tip is more beneficial for dark-colored garments, especially black ones. By turning your clothes inside out before washing or drying, you’ll protect the fibers on the outside from friction and wearing down that leads to fading.
5. Cold temperature
After separating the colored from the whites and turning them inside out, the next tip is to choose short, delicate, and cooler temperatures for the wash cycle. These settings will minimize the agitation of your clothes and prevent the dyes from bleeding.
6. Dry wisely
Air drying your clothes indoors or out is safer than using an electric dryer in higher heat settings or overdrying. The dryer's tumbling makes the surface of the garment fibers rough, making the color appear faded. Additionally, if you are drying your clothes outdoors, keep them away from the direct sunlight.
FAQs
Does hand-washing clothes prevent fading?
Yes, it can also help your clothes last longer, preventing shrinking and tearing caused by the washer and dryer.
Are there specific fabrics known for their resistance to fading?
Fabrics less prone to fading include synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic.
How does friction during wear contribute to fading?
Friction between the clothes affects the dye, causing the fabric fibers to break, resulting in a faded appearance.