As a former New Yorker and the mom of two sticky little kids, I own lots of black clothing. It’s amazing at hiding stains, and it makes me feel chic without trying too hard. But there’s one problem I can’t seem to shake: I’m constantly replacing my black clothes due to premature fading. What else can I do? A faded little black dress doesn’t exactly scream glamour—instead of chic, I just look dingy.
Well, it turns out that there’s one big mistake I’ve been making when it comes to black clothing, and there’s a good chance you’re doing it too. I spoke with Steve Collins, a third-generation dry cleaner at Sig Samuels Dry Cleaners in Atlanta, to learn the ins and outs of black fabric care. Interested? Read on to find out how to keep your black shirts, pants and dresses fade-free and fresh.
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What is the No. 1 mistake people make with black clothes?
The big laundry misstep is washing black clothes in water that’s too hot. “Hot water is your enemy,” Collins says. “Heat and deep, rich colors—especially blacks—do not mix.”
While it might seem like heat would help eliminate stains and odors, Collins says it’s not the way to go if you want to protect the longevity and vibrancy of the fibers.
Why do these high temperatures pose such a problem?
Collins says high temperatures pull the dye out of the fabric. Additionally, as clothes rub against one another in the drum, they create friction that weakens the fibers. “The clothes just take a beating,” he says. Repeated washing will eventually break down the color and fade the item.
Not only that, but hard water can leave a residue, and detergents often have chemicals meant to brighten and lighten. If you’re mixing loads, this can contribute to a faded look.
What temperature should you use for black items?
Cold water is the way to go, according to Collins. In fact, he says even non-black clothing should be washed on a cold cycle. “I try to wash everything in cold,” he says.
His only exceptions? Sheets and other bedding, because of how often they get used and how much dirt and oil buildup accumulates, and when he needs to activate stain removers like oxygen bleaches, which tend to do better in warmer water.
Should you wash like colors together?
Yes, the old laundry adage is true, and it’s one Collins follows religiously: You should always wash like colors together. “Color-coordinate your washes,” he says. It can help reduce dye transfer, and it’s a good way to organize your laundry.
“I break up clothes into different categories,” Collins says. He puts all darks like black together, saturated colors like purple and red together, and then separates out lighter colors. He’ll also run a load with just khakis and tans, one with whites, and one with lighter colors. He also tries to separate each color by fabric type so that he’s not mixing polyester athletic wear with cotton shirts; this can help reduce friction.
Another pro tip: Detergent is a big part of the equation for black clothes. Collins often uses Woolite, a delicate detergent. “It’s great for delicates and things with deep, rich colors,” he says.
Should black clothes stay out of the dryer?
Not necessarily, but what applies to the washing machine also applies to the dryer: Avoid heat. “Drying at high temperatures can set in stains and contribute to loss of color,” he says. Hanging clothes to dry is one option, although he acknowledges that this often produces stiff wrinkles that can be hard to iron out.
His favorite way to dry black items is to use the lowest setting on the dryer. It can help items retain their color and prevent creases, as well as prevent garment shrinkage.
What will keep your black items perfectly black?
Now that you know the mistake you might have been making, it’s easy to correct with a streamlined routine. To keep black items perfectly black, follow these simple steps:
- Choose a low-moisture, mild detergent, and use a small amount. Too much detergent can leave a residue.
- Wash the item in cold water with other black items on a delicate cycle, separating by fabric type if possible.
- Dry on the lowest setting your machine offers, or hang-dry if you are concerned about possible shrinkage.
And when in doubt, refer to the garment’s label. “I am a stickler for a label,” Collins says. “They are put in there to tell people at home, as well as professionals, how a garment should be handled.”
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Source:
- Steve Collins, co-owner of Atlanta-based Sig Samuels Dry Cleaners; interviewed, May 2026
The post This Is the No. 1 Mistake You’re Making with Your Black Clothing appeared first on Reader's Digest.
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