What do you think is the best detergent for washing black/dark clothes so they don't fade?

I wash anything I love in cold water with Woolite (Woolite even makes a detergent for darks, which is good). But even just regular Woolite seems to work well on darks.

I second Woolite for darks!

I’ve been using the woolite for darks, but still have a lot of fading, more than ever before. One thing that is different is I use fabric softner now instead of dryer sheets, do you think the fabric softner is doing anything negative?

It could be. Do you wash in cold water and on gentle cycles?

You can also try washing your blacks with a little bit of vinegar in the rinse cycle. My mom used to do this all the time, mainly on our towels. Not only does it help to keep things fresh smelling (amazingly enough), but it helps set dyes, too. I remember when I would dye clothing, I always rinsed them with a little bit of vinegar diluted in water. And don’t pour a gallon of vinegar in your load, either. Maybe only about a cup for a regular sized load.

I don’t know if this is hooey or not, but a long time ago, I was told to turn all my darks inside out and only wash in cold water. I use Woolite, not always the ones for dark clothes, but always Woolite.

Yes, I have used my regular detergents, as well. I’ve never had a big problem, either way. As long as it’s always on cold and inside out.

Always cold water and gentle and many time I do inside out, but not religiously. I bought a high energy washer when I first moved here, and my blacks fade like crazy. I worked in retail for 20 years believe it or not, and used to give this type of advice. I never used softner before buying these, so I suspected that, and the water might be different? I just thought if someone had somenew idea I would try it.

@les I had not heard the vinegar, so would I put that where the softner goes if I want it in the rinse cycle?

Yeah, in fact you can use it instead of softener. That’s what we used to do with our towels. It made them soft without reducing their water sucking abilities.

Just pour it in when and where you pour the softener, and see how that works.

@Les thanks

Something about a comment with a picture of a dog. Creeps me out, like as if the dog is talking…

Sorry, had a Son of Sam moment.

Try washing the clothes inside out, this sometimes helps. Also if you line dry outside keep the clothes inside out as the sun can fade your clothes sooo quickly (found this out in NZ)

Two words you’re not going to like: dry cleaning. It’s the only thing I’ve found that really works.

woolite for dark clothes. black container with pink top. phenomenal.

@ChazMaz The explanation point doesn’t help either.
Sorry I can’t contribute. I can only use Cheer Free, the only thing that doesn’t break me out. :(

i’ve tried the pricey tide and woolite for darks, always turn inside out and cold water..but 4 hours after showering and i always smell like i just got out of a swimming pool, i had my answer…duh! it’s the chlorine the city puts in my water!

@nunya_biz Hmmm…good point. Maybe this city puts more chlorine in the water. My blacks fade faster here than any other place I have ever lived.