Buying new clothes is always a blast for me. However, one thing I hate more than anything is just how quickly the colors start to fade. All it takes is a few washes and that new red shirt of mine will start turning pink. Sadly, the same happens with any fabric, be it silk, wool, linen, or denim.
Of course, fading is inevitable with age, but there are ways to prevent that favorite pair of trousers from looking like it had just been worn through the desert. In this review, I’ll share a list of fantastic laundry detergents that will help stop fading and keep the colors of your clothes bright and fresh for longer.
For Bright-Colored and White Outfits
In order to wash white and brightly colored items, you will need a solid product that won’t damage the fabric. Usually (though not always), white products tend not to be as strong as dark-colored ones. However, that doesn’t mean that the right detergent won’t be able to give them back their shine.
Let’s start with Tide Plus Ultra OXI Power. Tide has long been a name associated with good quality, and this detergent proves it. The new highly-concentrated formula removes more stains than before. But more importantly, you will use a smaller amount of powder than other house name detergents to do so.
- Brightens whites without bleach
- 2X whitening power* in one easy step
- No pretreating, bleach, stain removers, or additives...
- Safe on colors
Next, we have the All Mighty Pacs with a whitening core that can protect and restore the faded colors of any light or white shirt. In fact, all you need is a single packet and you’re good to go. Interestingly, it will dissolve in any water temperature, so you don’t have to worry about that lack of hot water during the wash.
My final product for bright clothes is actually not a powder detergent, but rather a laundry bar soap. Zote comes in sets of four large bars of soap, perfect for people who would like to save money on cleaning products. It’s an eco-friendly option that will bring new life to your bright outfits, plus it’s inexpensive and long-lasting. Moreover, it removes even some of the nastiest stains.
For Black and Dark Clothes
As someone who owns a lot of dark suits and trousers, I have to say that “faded” doesn’t go well with “black.” In fact, I wouldn’t even leave the house in a pair of faded black pants. So, the minute I heard that there were detergents out there that could help me with this problem, I started doing my research. In the end, it resulted in three amazing products that I can’t recommend enough.
The first of the three is Oxiclean Dark Protect. Using the patented Anti-Fade technology, Dark Protect will breathe new life into dark fabrics. More importantly, it keeps the fabric looking and feeling smooth. No stain will remain unremoved; the only thing that will linger is the amazing scent emanating from the laundry after the wash.
- Includes: One 50 fl oz bottle OxiClean Dark Protect...
- For Dark Clothes: Chlorine-free laundry stain remover...
- Anti-Fade Technology: OxiClean detergent booster is...
- Laundry Boost Stain Remover: OxiClean stain removers...
Now, when you take a look at my next product, Puracy Natural Liquid, you don’t get the impression that it’s a detergent for dark clothes. Of course, looks can trick you, as Puracy is not only a spectacular solution for your black attire, but it works just on all other colors as well. In fact, it’s even amazing enough to cover some sensitive fabrics like silk.
Finally, Woolite Darks liquid laundry detergent is the third product I found to be the best for dark-colored items. Thanks to its formula, this detergent works well with clothing made out of different fabrics. It will not only strengthen them and brighten up any signs of fading, but it’ll also leave your clothes soft and pleasant to the touch. The product works well for all temperatures and wash cycles, and unlike other commercial options out there, it won’t leave any residue on your clothes.
For Colored Clothes
The products I’m about to list have worked well with both bright and dark clothing. However, I still felt like they deserved to get the spotlight when it comes to covering colored items that fall somewhere in the middle.
It’s hard to argue that The Laundress Darks Detergent isn’t a classic. From the packaging to the simple design, it feels like a product from a bygone era. Usually, I don’t talk about how a detergent looks, but it’s always nice to have that little bonus when shopping for the right stuff.
But how does the Laundress Dark Detergent preserve vivid colors? To put it simply, it pulls it off without a hitch. I’ve used this detergent for at least a year and it hasn’t failed me so far. Not only does its formula help “revive” old, faded clothes, but it’s also environmentally safe with all-natural ingredients. Moreover, you can use this product with a different detergent in order to get an even better result.
The second and final product in this category is, once again, a Tide; more specifically, it’s the Brights and Whites Rescue Laundry Pacs. Judging from the name, you can tell which clothes this product is best suited for. But it goes far beyond cleaning stains off of white shirts and light underwear. In fact, it’s just as good, if not better, at reviving fading hues of regular-colored clothing.
For Delicates
Machine-washing delicate items is a bit different to handling regular clothes. If I want them to shine and stay strong after a wash, I need the proper detergent that won’t wear them out after a few tumbles in the machine. Luckily, there is a product out there that’s great at both keeping the delicates in one piece and making them look good as new — the Rockin’ Green natural powder.
Rockin’ Green is a HE (high-efficiency) washing machine powder that used to be known as Motley Clean. We can use this detergent at any water temperature, from cool to boiling hot, and it will be just as effective. In addition, it contains a healthy, biodegradable formula that makes it perfect for washing underwear, lingerie, and the like. You don’t have to fear any rashes or allergies when using Rockin’ Green.
- Tough Stain & Odor Eliminator - Say goodbye to tough...
- Plant-Powered Ingredients - Dermatologist-tested and...
- Suitable For All Washing Machines - This 45-oz laundry...
- Cleaner Clothes, Cleaner Planet - Live a cleaner...
Of course, Rockin’ Green isn’t alone when it comes to dealing with faded delicate clothes. A few people have suggested that I try Ovacion, a product I had honestly never heard of before. After a few washes, I could definitely see why it appeared on several top 10 lists of best detergents.
Ovacion is, admittedly, better at dealing with dark laundry than anything else. While it will definitely get the stains out of white and colored underwear, you will most likely use it for black and dark items the most. Thanks to its solvent-free, biodegradable formula, Ovacion will leave the delicates feeling smooth, fresh, and bright. The pleasant scent is but the icing on the cake.
More Ways to Prevent Clothes From Fading
The detergents I have listed all do a great job keeping the colors of my clothes vibrant. However, sometimes we don’t need to change detergents just to get that sheen back. There are quite a few methods out there that will not only prevent fading, but will also make our clothes last longer and feel better to the touch.
For instance, sorting laundry by color, turning clothes inside out before washing, using DIY solutions, and minimizing dryer use can all significantly help preserve the colors and overall quality of your garments.
If you’re interested in more tips on this, be sure to check out our article for additional insights.
In Conclusion
Doing laundry has never been easier. With so many wonderful products out there, I can rest assured that I don’t have to worry about faded clothing any time soon. However, it never hurts to try an old-fashioned method like the ones listed above. Alternatively, you can combine the two and give your fading clothes back the illustrious colors they used to have.
