Use a color-protecting detergent

Switch to a detergent formulated for colored fabrics, such as Woolite Darks, Tide Plus Colorguard, or Persil Color. Use it for every colored load in place of standard detergent.

Why It Works

Color-safe detergents omit optical brighteners and chlorine bleach that accelerate fading. Many contain color-transfer inhibitors — polymers that trap loose dye in the wash water so it cannot redeposit on other garments. They also tend to have a more neutral pH than whitening formulas.

Tips

• Most beneficial for dark and vivid colors that show fading earliest
• Liquid detergents dissolve more completely in cold water than powders
• Avoid any detergent labeled "with bleach" or "brightening" on colored loads