Why black fades faster than grey

Short answer: Black needs the most dye, so it has the most to lose. A little fading shows clearly in black, while it disappears in a grey shade.

More colour means more to lose

A black fabric is saturated with colour, because it takes a lot of dye to reach a deep, dark tone. Every wash draws a little out, and the more colour there is in the fabric, the more there is to lose. A light or mid grey contains far less dye and therefore has less to lose, see bestsellers for women.

Contrast makes the loss visible

A grey jumper that loses five percent of its colour still looks grey. A black jumper with the same loss looks greyish black. The eye sees the difference between deep black and almost black very clearly, while small changes in a grey tone go unnoticed. So it is not necessarily the fabric that is worse, see bestsellers from Copenhagen Bamboo.

Where black clothes turn grey first

Fading shows first where there is most rubbing. That is usually at seams, cuffs, knees and where a bag hangs over the shoulder. Here the outer part of the fibre wears, and the lighter core shows through. That is why a black jumper can look new on the back and worn at the sleeves after the same number of washes.

Detergent residue makes black dull

Detergent that is not fully rinsed out leaves a thin film on the surface. On white clothes you do not see it, but on black it gives a greyish, dull sheen. Use a little less detergent for dark clothes, and choose one made for colours. Run an extra rinse if black clothes look dusty after washing.

Wash black with black

Light garments shed lint that settles visibly on black fabric. At the same time, black can release a little dye that does no harm to other black items. So wash dark clothes separately, and do not fill the machine completely. The clothes rub less against each other, and the surface stays smoother and darker for longer.

Sun and heat bleach

Direct sunlight breaks down dye, and black clothes that hang in the sun for hours quickly turn brownish or greyish. High heat in the tumble dryer works the same way. Dry black clothes indoors or in the shade, and take them down as soon as they are dry. It is a small habit that makes a clear difference over time.

How to keep black black for longest

Wash inside out, at forty degrees and dry out of the sun. When the garment is turned, the inside rubs against the drum while the outside is protected. Forty degrees is enough for everyday clothes, and a lower temperature draws out less colour. This also applies to black socks, which are washed often and lose colour faster, see socks for women.

Grey is the calm choice

If you want clothes that look the same for a long time, grey and other mid tones are a good choice. They do not show lint, detergent residue or slight fading as much as black. Black has its advantages, as it is easy to combine and looks neat. You just have to expect to take a little more care in the wash.

Frequently asked questions

Why do black clothes turn greyish

Because every wash draws out a little dye, and in black even a small loss shows clearly as a greyish tone. Detergent residue can add to the dull sheen.

Does grey hold its colour better

Yes, it appears to. Grey contains less dye, and a small loss is much harder to see, even after many washes.

How do you keep black black

Wash inside out at forty degrees, dry in the shade, and wash black together with other black. Also use no more detergent than needed.