It can be really frustrating to buy colorful clothing only to see it fade as soon as you wash it. Luckily, there are a few different ways you can restore the vibrant color to your garments. Sometimes, detergent can build up on laundry, making it look dull. In that case, washing your clothes with salt or vinegar may help your clothing look like new again.
If the fading is from normal washing and wear, dyeing the garment back to the original color can give it new life. You may also be able to restore your clothes with some common household supplies, like baking soda, coffee, or hydrogen peroxide.
Using Salt
Step 1: Place Your Faded Clothes in the Washing Machine
Add your regular detergent and the faded clothes to the washing machine. If your clothes seem to have faded after just a few washes, detergent buildup may be the culprit. Adding salt to your regular wash can help break up that buildup, making your clothes look like new again.
Step 2: Add Salt to the Wash Cycle
Pour about 1/2 cup (150g) of salt directly into the drum of the washing machine. In addition to restoring colors, salt can help prevent new clothes from fading in the first place. Regular table salt or ultra-fine pickling salts work well for this, but avoid coarse-ground sea salt, as it may not dissolve fully in the washing machine.
Step 3: Dry Your Clothing
After your clothes are finished washing, take them out and check the color. If you're satisfied with it, you can either air dry them or place them in your dryer. If they still look faded, try washing them in vinegar instead.
Using Vinegar
Step 1: Add Vinegar to the Washing Machine
Add 1/2 cup (120 mL) of white vinegar to your washing machine. For a top-loading machine, pour the vinegar directly into the drum. For a front-loading washer, add it to the fabric softener dispenser. Vinegar will help break up any detergent or minerals left behind by hard water, making your clothes look brighter.
Step 2: Wash Clothes in Cool Water
Place your faded clothes into your washing machine, add laundry detergent, and turn on the machine. Soaking your clothes in vinegar, then washing them, is often all it takes to get them looking brighter. Choose the cycle that’s appropriate for the clothes you’re brightening.
Step 3: Dry Your Clothes
The vinegar will wash out of your clothing during the rinse cycle, so your laundry shouldn’t smell like vinegar when it comes out of the wash. You can either hang the clothes to dry or place them in the dryer. If your clothes still look faded, the dye might have washed out, so you may need to dye the clothes instead.
Dyeing Clothes
Step 1: Check if the Garment is Dyeable
Some fabrics accept dye better than others. Before you try to restore your clothing by dyeing it, check the tag inside the item to see what it's made of. Garments made from at least 60% natural fibers like cotton, silk, linen, ramie, wool, or those made from rayon or nylon, usually dye well.
Step 2: Choose the Right Dye
Select a dye as close to the original color as possible. Visit a big box store or a craft or fabric store with your garment to find the best match. If you want to change the color, you may need to use a color stripper first.
Step 3: Prepare the Workspace and Garment
Cover your workspace with newspaper, tarp, or trash bags to protect it from dye splashes. Wear old clothes and thick gloves to avoid staining your skin and clothes.
Step 4: Fill a Container with Hot Water
Fill a large pot, bucket, or tub with hot water (120-140°F). If you want hotter water, you can heat it on the stove to just below boiling.
Step 5: Dissolve the Dye and Salt
Follow the instructions on the dye package to determine the amount needed. Generally, use about 1/2 bottle of dye for every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of fabric. Add 1/2 cup (150 g) of salt to help the dye set better. Stir the dye and salt into a small cup of warm water until dissolved, then add to the larger container of water. Stir everything together.
Step 6: Soak the Clothes
Place the clothing into the dye bath and ensure they’re completely saturated. Stir the clothing around at least every 5-10 minutes to help the dye soak evenly into the fabric.
Step 7: Rinse Thoroughly
Once the recommended time has passed or when the garment looks dark enough, lift the clothing out of the dye bath. Rinse the item under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear.
Step 8: Wash the Garment Separately
Turn the garment inside out and put it in the washing machine. Wash it on a small, cold cycle. This helps to rinse out any remaining dye.
Step 9: Dry the Garment
You can hang dry your item or use a dryer, depending on the fabric and your preference. Examine the clothing to ensure the dye went on evenly.
Trying Other Household Items
Baking Soda
Add 1/2 cup (90 g) of baking soda to the drum of your washer along with your clothes and regular detergent. Baking soda is especially effective on white fabric and helps deodorize clothing.
Coffee or Tea for Black Clothes
Brew 2 cups (470 mL) of strong black tea or coffee. Place clothes in the washing machine and wash as normal. When the rinse cycle starts, pour in the coffee or tea. Let the cycle finish, then hang your clothing to dry.
Black Pepper
Add 2-3 tsp (8-12 g) of ground black pepper to your wash. This helps dispel buildup, and the pepper flakes will wash away in the rinse cycle.
Hydrogen Peroxide for Whites
Add 1 cup (240 mL) of hydrogen peroxide to your laundry detergent. This can brighten whites without the harmful effects of bleach.
Conclusion
Restoring the color of your faded clothes can be easy and cost-effective using common household items like salt, vinegar, and baking soda, or through dyeing. By following these steps, you can bring new life to your wardrobe, saving money and extending the lifespan of your favorite garments. Experiment with these methods to find the best solution for your clothing. For more detailed steps and tips, download our comprehensive PDF guide.
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