Why black fades and how to stop it

Short answer: Black fades because the dye is slowly washed out and because heat, rubbing and strong detergents wear on the fibres. You can slow it down by washing cold, turning the clothes inside out, using a mild detergent and air drying.

Why black turns grey

Black colour is a layer of dye that sits on and in the fibres. Each time you wash, a little of it comes loose, and after many washes black turns greyish or brownish. It happens to almost all black clothes, and it goes faster the hotter, harder and more often you wash.

Wash cold or lukewarm

Temperature is the most important lever. Hot water opens the fibres and lets dye escape, so choose the lowest temperature the label allows, and a gentle programme if you can. If the clothes are not very dirty, cold water often goes a long way, and you protect the colour at the same time.

Turn the clothes inside out

Rubbing is the second big cause of faded colour, because it wears the surface. If you turn the clothes inside out, the drum and other clothes meet the inside of the fabric rather than the outside. That goes for black bamboo underwear for women too, where the colour can otherwise turn dull quickly.

Choose a mild detergent

Strong detergents and bleach remove colour along with the dirt. Use a mild detergent without bleach and dose by the pack, no more. A detergent made for dark clothes is designed to protect colour, and it is a small step that makes a clear difference over time.

Wash black with black

Sort so that black is washed with black and dark. Light pieces washed with black can pick up colour from the water and turn grey, and black can lose colour to other clothes. If you are unsure about a new piece, wash it alone the first time.

Air dry and avoid the tumble dryer

The tumble dryer combines heat and rubbing, and that is exactly what makes colour fade. Hang the clothes up instead, preferably out of direct sun, which can also bleach colour. Air drying is gentle on both colour and fabric, and it does not take much longer.

Black knickers and tops

Look at black bamboo knickers and bamboo tops for women separately, because they are worn and washed often. Use a laundry bag and do not wash more than necessary. When you rotate several pieces, each one fades more slowly.

Can black get its colour back

Faded black will not be as new again, but you can slow it down and sometimes freshen it a little with a fabric dye if the label allows it. Follow the instructions on the pack. It is far easier to prevent fading than to restore the colour afterwards.

In short, black that lasts

Black fades from heat, rubbing and strong detergents, and you can slow it down. Wash cold, turn the clothes inside out, use a mild detergent for darks, sort and air dry. That way your black stays good-looking for longer.

Frequently asked questions

Why does black clothing turn grey?

Because a little dye comes loose with every wash, and heat, rubbing and strong detergent speed it up. Wash cold and gently.

Does turning the clothes inside out help?

Yes, because it reduces rubbing on the outside of the fabric, so the colour wears more slowly. Use a laundry bag for small pieces too.

Can I tumble dry black clothes?

You can if the label allows it, but heat and rubbing make the colour fade faster. Air drying is gentler on both colour and fabric.

You can find the full range at Copenhagen Bamboo.