How to Wash Dark Colors

Dark-colored clothing can be made of any kind of fabric imaginable, from simple, cotton to silk. Solids and patterns, in rich synthetics or everyday work fabrics, might share only a color shade. All of these items must be washed as their fabric and construction dictates to ensure the longest life of the clothing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Categorize Dark Colors by Fabric and Color

1. Use the care tags in clothing to sort dark colors. Put those that need cold-water washing in one pile and those that need warm-water washing in another.

2. Make another pile for any items that are to be washed separately and/or by hand, according to their labels.

3. Put dark-colored towels or sheets in another pile.

4. Decide what to do about reds. After several washings, some red clothes no longer bleed and are safe to wash with mixed colors. As some red fabric always bleeds, a safe bet is washing all reds together on the lowest setting.

Wash and Dry Dark Colors Separately

5. Perform a cold-water wash for sheer synthetics, washable silks or other delicates. Adjust the water level for the amount of clothing, and then add soap and clothes. Use the gentle or delicate setting if desired.

6. Run a warm-water wash for heavier synthetics and all cottons.

7. Wash dark towels and sheets in hot water to kill germs and mildew.

8. Hand wash any very delicate clothing. Simply add a small amount of soap to water in a bucket. Soak the garments briefly and agitate them with your hands. Rinse them well, but do not wring delicate fabrics.

9. Dry clothes washed in cold on medium and those washed in warm or hot on high. Check individual labels, and remove dry clothes promptly to prevent wrinkling.

10. Air-dry hand-washed items. Either place them on a hanger or spread them flat on a screen or other surface that has good circulation.

Tips & Warnings

• Cold water is gentlest on clothes. Warm water is good for removing sweat, dirt and stains. Use hot water to kill germs on towels and bedding.
• If you can't find the care tag on a shirt, check the side seam rather than the neck.
• Avoid bleeds. Washing whites with dark colors dulls the white. The colors from the other fabric bleed into the whites while they are in the wash water.
• Stay away from hot when you're washing jeans. The quickest way to shrink your blue jeans is to wash them in hot water.