Andrew
Check washing symbol labels
Not all clothes require the same treatment, so make sure to follow the instructions on the fabric care labels. Some may need hand washing, while others may be dry clean only. Separate these clothes from your usual wash.
Sort clothes according to colour and weight
Wash dark colours together and white or lighter colours in a separate load. If you have a lot of colours to wash, wash them according to colour group. Wash bright clothes, such as purples, reds, oranges and bright yellows together, and bright blues and greens together in a different wash.
You should also consider further separating your laundry weight as well. The idea here is that heavy clothes can put too much friction on lightweight fabrics, which could harm their fibres and lead to fading or colour loss.
Pre-treat stains
If you find any stains, pre-treat them with a small amount of liquid detergent. Pour directly onto the stain and use the pre-treat cap to spread the washing detergent deep into the garment’s fibres.
Turn new coloured clothes inside out
New coloured clothes should be turned inside out to make sure the dye does not transfer, which can help stop clothes from fading.
Keep clothes out of the sun
The ultraviolet rays from the sun are another big offender in terms of contributing to fading. You can still hang your clothes to dry outside, but try to choose a shaded area with lots of room for air to circulate. That way, you will still get the benefits of air drying in the sun while avoiding the bleaching effects of direct sunlight.
Do not overfill your machine
Putting too many clothes in the washing machine can reduce the quality of your wash. A simple test is to place your palm in the top of your drum. If it does not fit, remove clothes until it does.
Use a gentle wash
Coloured and patterned clothes need to be treated with care, so use less agitation to avoid getting faded clothes over time.
Wash in cold water
For best performance, use a liquid detergent optimised for cold washes.
Use fabric protection
A fabric conditioner does not just help your clothes feel their best, it keeps them looking great for longer.
Remove clothes from the machine as soon as cycle finishes
The dyes from coloured clothes can leach into other fabrics if left sitting damp in the drum of your washing machine, so remove them as soon as your wash has finished.
Hang dry
The tumble dryer can speed up the fading process, so avoid it whenever possible. Instead dry your clothes on a line or rack.
Wash with vinegar periodically
Adding a cup of vinegar to your wash loads will not necessarily prevent colours from bleeding, but it can help brighten both whites and colours by eliminating residues that can make fabrics appear less vibrant. Vinegar has the added benefit of reducing odour and softening your clothes, so it wins all around. — Wires.
Online Reporter