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How to Keep Fabrics From Fading

It’s an age-old question: Do I prewash my fabrics, or not?keep fabrics from fading

In addition to getting any shrinkage out of the way before you sew with the fabric, prewashing can keep dark fabric dyes (blacks, reds, and purples) from bleeding onto lighter-colored fabrics.

Fortunately, there are several natural remedies to help fabric colors stay bright when laundered. To keep fabrics from fading in the wash, follow these simple steps for using some common items from around your house!

Don’t let those brilliant hues escape your fabrics, especially if you’ve already invested hours into stitching up completed projects, like a garment or quilt.

Here are a few natural methods to keep fabrics from fading:

Salt

Add a tablespoon of salt to the wash, and your clothing packs a colorful punch when it comes out of the dryer. The reason? The chloride in salt actually helps to seal the color in fabrics, thus keeping it from fading. Try this out on your finished quilts to keep the colors bright. Everything, including handmade garments, should come out of the wash with all of its color intact.

But what if your fabrics have already faded? Some say that salt can actually help restore the brightness of dull and over-laundered material.

Cold water

Washing fabrics in cold water will not only help you cut down on your bills, but it will also help to keep your fabric colors from fading. Pair the cold water cycle with a color brightening detergent to boost your colors. We do not recommend using a brightening soap.

Vinegar

Did you know that white vinegar can help to keep fabric colors from fading? If you add ½ cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle, the liquid will freshen up your laundry and help colors maintain their intensity. Prior to a first washing, you can also soak dark fabrics for 30 minutes in water mixed with ½ cup of vinegar and 2 teaspoons of salt to help set the dyes.

Baking soda

It’s not just for erasing odors from your refrigerator or keeping your teeth white. Baking soda can also be added to your laundry to help fabrics maintain their brightness. Add ½ cup of baking soda during the wash cycle to try it out.

If you still have questions about keeping your fabrics looking bright, contact InnStyle. You can also call 1-800-877-4667, where our knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you.

And be sure to visit our website to learn more about our products, and read our blog for other housecleaning tips. Good luck!

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Posted on February 22, 2016May 21, 2019Author isadminCategories For Innkeepers, TipsTags care tips for innkeepers, keep fabrics from fading

10 thoughts on “How to Keep Fabrics From Fading”

  1. Naheed Zaheer says:
    May 28, 2018 at 6:37 pm

    Hello,
    I just wanted to ask whether or not there was a certain amount of clothes and a certain volume of water to be used for 1/2 cup of white vinegar and salt?😊

    Reply
    1. isadmin says:
      May 29, 2018 at 3:58 pm

      1/2 cup of vinegar goes into a normal load of laundry, during the rinse cycle, into your washing machine.
      Thank you for your question. I hope this helps.

      Reply
  2. fahad swalehe says:
    September 16, 2019 at 7:43 am

    4. is it true that we should apply vinegar and salt in water at the same time when preventing color fading in clothes

    Reply
    1. isadmin says:
      September 23, 2019 at 11:40 am

      Hi Fahad,
      The adding of the vinegar and salt together is for a prewash soak. Add 1/2 a cup of white vinegar and 2 teaspoons of salt to the water for dark fabrics and soak for 30 minutes. I would only soak like colors together, just to be safe. I have never had a problem with the acidity in vinegar harming my body, but if you are sensitive you can certainly wear gloves.
      Thanks for your inquiries.

      Reply
  3. Indika says:
    July 5, 2020 at 9:41 am

    Please aadvise me how use a dye fixing chemecal for linen(two tone dresses)

    Reply
    1. isadmin says:
      July 6, 2020 at 9:48 am

      Hi Indika,
      Honestly dye fixing chemicals are not part of our expertise at InnStyle. We prefer more natural remedies. Maybe try googling it?
      If you are ever interested in color fast towels, give us a call at 1-800-877-4667.

      Reply
  4. mrym says:
    August 16, 2021 at 3:07 pm

    how to brighten already faded cloths due to water????….as water makes our cloth fade

    Reply
    1. isadmin says:
      August 23, 2021 at 10:16 am

      You can try soaking the fabric in saltwater before washing. If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-877-4667.

      Reply
  5. Engr. Gideon says:
    October 21, 2022 at 5:13 am

    I carefully red through your article and I want to that I am impressed.

    Your quick and articulated response to questions is second to none, pls keep your good Job up.

    Reply
  6. Pingback: Best 17 how to fade cotton fabric – lifefindall.com

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