What happens if you wash black clothes with white detergent?

Author: Mr. Jaime Mayer I  |  Last update: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Colored clothes should never be washed with a detergent for white since it will make them lose their colors. Functional wear and workout clothes will last longer if you wash them with a detergent that targets bad smells. Sound tricky? It doesn't have to be.

Can you wash black clothes with white detergent?

Dark and white clothing should be washed on a gentle, cool washing cycle. They should be washed separately to avoid the colors running. Both black and white clothing can be washed with regular detergent with added laundry boosters to remove stains.

Is it OK to wash black with white?

What are the consequences of washing white and black clothes together? If you mix white and black clothes, the white clothes will be more affected and can get stained or damaged. Water coming out is a red flag. Bright colours may get darker. Dark colours may get lighter. Clothes may get spoiled.

Does laundry detergent for black clothes work?

The Correct Laundry Detergent

Use a laundry detergent specifically designed for washing dark clothes. These detergents are formulated to maintain color vibrancy and prevent fading. Avoid using too much detergent, as this can leave residues on dark fabrics, making them look dull.

What not to do when washing black clothes?

Wash black garments separately with fresh water. Do not use washing powder as this can leave white streaks on the clothes. The best liquid soaps are Ezee or Genteel. You'll notice that the clothes will dry faster when you use liquid soap. Clothes ...

White Marks On Dark Clothes After Washing Them-EASY Solution

What detergent is best for blacks?

Loni Labs Bio Detergent

This fragrance free laundry detergent is excellent for people who want to get their black clothes clean. With a 75 washer load container, Loni Bio Laundry Detergent is number one on our list of recommended options to clean your clothes quickly.

How do you restore washed out black clothes?

While wearing gloves, simply brew up enough dark coffee to fill a bowl or bucket, place your jeans inside and leave them to soak overnight. In the morning, pop them in the wash on a gentle cycle with no detergent. Finally, all you have to do is allow them to dry and get wearing them!

Which detergent is best for washing black clothes?

Woolite has been a must-buy for years. Delicates and colours are safe and sound with their products. The addition of "Darks Liquid Laundry Detergent" was a God-sent. Blacks stay black.

Can Tide be used on black clothes?

A: Our Tide PODS™ Ultra OXI do contain a color protector, and it may be helpful to know that all of our laundry detergents are suitable for colored fabrics.

What wash is best for black clothes?

To preserve the color and quality of black clothes, wash them inside out with cold water and the best mild detergent. Avoid overloading the machine and air dry the clothes, as this could fade them out.

Should I wash black clothes separately?

However, if you want to ensure you are washing black clothes without fading, always wash darks separately from lights. It's well known that to keep whites bright, we need to wash them separately, but few people realise that dark clothes also need to be washed together to maintain their colour.

Do you wash darks in hot or cold water?

Washing Dark Colors

Cold water is best for preventing fading, so stick to a cold setting on your dark loads. (This is why it's important to separate your clothes into light and dark laundry loads.) While white items do best in hot water, cold water prevents fading in your dark items.

Is it okay to mix black and white clothes in the wash?

It's very important to wash your lights and darks laundry separately, as darker dyes can ruin lighter fabrics. Sort your greys, blacks, navies, reds, dark purples and similar colours into one load, and your pinks, lavenders, light blues, light greens and yellows into another laundry.

Is it okay to wash black with white?

Be sure to wash white clothes separately from anything with colour, such as dark items or brights. Even lightly dyed items and older clothes can leech dye during a wash cycle, which can stain your whites or give them a dull, grey appearance.

Can detergent stain black clothes?

If you have hard water and use powdered detergent, you may notice stains on your dark clothes.

What detergent is best for dark colors?

Perwoll Renew Black - The liquid detergent provides optimal care for all dark textiles - it gives gentle cleanliness and revives dark colors.

Do you need special detergent for black clothes?

Tip 3: Colour detergent for black laundry

To avoid white deposits on your black laundry, it's best to use a liquid colour detergent. Delicate detergent can also be beneficial for delicate items of clothing, such as black blouses, lace lingerie or dark jeans.

What colors can you wash with white?

Your light-colored clothes are perfectly safe to be washed together with your whites. That means light-blue, light-brown, pink, light-green, lavender, yellow, beige, cream, orange, fuchsia and other pastel shades can go into the same pile as your whites, light greys, and garments with white background prints.

What happens if you wash white clothes with black detergent?

White clothes frequently washed with a detergent made for colored clothes will eventually turn grey.

How to keep black clothes black when washing?

To help keep your black clothes and black jeans dark, wash your garments inside out in cold water on a delicate cycle. Be sure to use a low heat setting in the dryer or air dry to help prevent fading. Remember to always check the care tag on your clothing for proper washing and care instructions.

Is tide good for black clothes?

Wash in cold water on the gentlest cycle, because heat can cause fuzz and pilling, which can reduce color clarity. Use Tide Darks & Colors Liquid Detergent and Downy® Fabric Conditioner to protect denim from fading. Dry on low settings if using a machine, and keep clothes out of the sun if hanging outside to dry.

Why is my washing machine making my clothes black?

The Drum Is Dirty

Problem: It could be that the washing machine drum has collected greasy residue from previous loads.

Does vinegar make black clothes black again?

Add vinegar and salt: Consider adding a splash of white vinegar or a teaspoon of salt to your washing machine. These natural additives can help set the dye in your black clothes and maintain their rich colour.

Why are my black clothes dirty after washing?

Excess detergent can leave white marks on black clothes, especially in high-efficiency washers where less water is used. If your clothes are especially soiled, try using the prewash function or soaking them before your wash, rather than using more detergent.

How do you get old stains out of black clothes?

Here are eight to try:
  1. Use Liquid Soap. My go-to stain removal technique is appallingly easy. ...
  2. Try a Stain-removal Spray. Stain-removal sprays and sticks have come a long way in recent years. ...
  3. Rub White Chalk Into the Stain. ...
  4. Add Baking Soda to Your Wash Cycle. ...
  5. Opt for Corn Starch. ...
  6. Bust Out the Acetone. ...
  7. Bleach it.

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