How to Keep Black Fabric From Fading
Black fabric stands out and makes a statement when it is new but after a few washings it often fades to a dingy shade of black that is not quite black and not quite gray. This approach to preserving the color does not apply to wool or to fabric dyed with all types of dye, but setting the color when the fabric is new helps to keep black fabric looking right. Careful laundering in cold water also helps keep the color from fading. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Wash basin
- Washing soda or borax
- Hot water
- Rubber gloves
- Cold water
- Gentle laundry detergent
- Washing machine
Instructions
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Pour 1/2 cup of washing soda crystals into the wash basin with 2 cups hot water. Put the rubber gloves on your hands and mix the water to dissolve the crystals and then add a gallon of cold water. This step is not recommended if the fabric is wool or if it is dyed with Rit dye.
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Submerge the black fabric in the washing soda solution and let it soak for 1 hour.
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3
Wring the excess water out of the black fabric or let it hang until it stops dripping.
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Set the dryer on its lowest heat setting and dry the fabric completely. This will help to set the color. Caring for the black fabric after the color has been set requires cold water washing with gentle detergents.
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Set the washing machine to its cold water setting and pour a cap full of gentle detergent that is designed for fine washables into the cold water.
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Put the black item in the water and let it wash in the washing machine's gentle wash cycle.
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Dry the black item in the dryer on the setting recommended by the manufacturer.
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Tips & Warnings
Using washing soda to set fabric dye is not recommended if the fabric is wool or if the dye in the fabric is Rit dye.
