How to keep colours longer

Short answer: Wash inside out at 40 degrees with a detergent for dark clothes, and dry in the shade. Sun and heat are what take the colour, not the washing itself. With a few steady habits, colours stay good for much longer.

Sunlight is the main cause

Ultraviolet light breaks down the dye in the fibres, and it does so through a window too. Clothes dried in direct sun therefore lose colour much faster than clothes dried in the shade or indoors. Edges and surfaces facing the sun turn lighter first. Dry in the shade, including the most popular men's styles.

Heat plays its part

High temperatures in the washer and dryer open the fibres, so dye comes loose more easily. At 40 degrees, normally worn clothes get clean without exposing the colour to more heat than needed. Air drying is gentler than tumble drying, for both colour and fabric. Keep clothes away from radiators while they dry, too.

Inside out protects the surface

When clothes are turned inside out, the friction in the machine hits the inside rather than the outside. The outside, which is what you see, is spared. Turn clothes inside out to dry as well, so any light hits the inside. It makes a clear difference for bamboo sweatpants for women, which are washed often.

Detergent without bleach

Universal powder often contains bleach that slowly takes colour over time. Use a detergent for dark or coloured clothes instead. It cleans just as well but leaves the colour alone. This goes for all men's bamboo clothing and for the coloured clothes in the rest of the wardrobe.

Dose correctly

Too much detergent does not rinse out fully and can leave a dull film on the fabric, making colours look less clear. Follow the dosage on the pack, and dose according to how dirty the clothes are. Normally worn clothes rarely need the highest dose. Run an extra rinse if clothes feel stiff after washing.

Sort by colour

Wash darks, colours and whites separately. New clothes can release a little dye in the first washes, and it can settle in lighter pieces. Wash new dark items with other dark things. That protects light clothes from turning grey and dark clothes from lint from other fabrics.

Gentle wash, low spin

The more clothes rub against the drum and each other, the more the surface wears, and worn fibres look lighter. Choose a gentle programme with a low spin speed, and do not fill the machine completely. That way clothes move freely without heavy rubbing, and the colour stays deep.

Store dark clothes away from light

Colours fade not only when drying, but also when clothes hang in a bright room. Clothes on an open rail by a window can turn lighter at the shoulders over a few months. Store dark clothes in a closed wardrobe or drawer, so they are not exposed to daylight every day.

Frequently asked questions

Do dark colours last less well

They fade more visibly, but the dye sits in the fibre just as well as in light colours. That is why shade, washing inside out and the right detergent matter most for dark clothes.

Do vinegar or salt help

It is an old household tip, but the effect on modern dyes is limited. You get more out of washing inside out, using a detergent for darks and drying in the shade.

How many washes can a colour last

With gentle washing and drying in the shade, most colours last for years. Sunlight, heat and harsh washing are what shorten that time.