How to Keep Laundry From Fading

Soak new clothes in a mixture of vinegar and water before you wear them to help set the dye in the fabric and prevent them from fading. Add a half-cup of white distilled vinegar to five gallons of water. Soak each article of clothing separately.

Wash your clothes only when necessary. If you wear something but it doesn't get dirty and doesn't smell, hang it back in your closet to wear again before washing it. This reduces the wear and tear of washing, which ages your clothes.

Turn your clothes inside out before washing and wash them in cold water. Hot or warm water fades the color of your clothes much more than cold water does. Turning your clothes inside out will expose the inside to the harshest part of the washing cycle, leaving the outside protected.

Limit the amount of detergent you use to wash your clothes. Try using just enough to get the stains and the smells out. Many detergents contain harsh chemicals that can make your clothes' colors less vibrant.

Separate your colors before throwing your laundry into the washing machine. Keep light colors separate from darker colors because the darker dyes can get on the light-colored clothes, making them look older and dingy.

Dry your clothes on a cool drying cycle or hang them to dry. Heat accelerates the fading of your clothes. If you hang your clothes to dry outside, avoid putting them in direct sunlight. The sun’s rays can fade your clothes significantly. Turning your clothes inside out to dry in the open air also will help prevent fading.