Black has always been one of the go-to colors for clothing. There’s nothing more slimming and satisfying about a nice black blouse or a pair of black pants. Black goes with anything and can be worn on almost any occasion. The downside to black clothes? They fade after each wash. Your once vibrant black shirt now looks gray and dingy.
If you’re tired of faded clothes and want to keep your blacks looking good as new, you’ve come to the right place. Below you’ll find a guide to the 20 best detergents for black clothes. We’ll also discuss the ins and outs of caring for black clothes so that they look great for many wears to come.
- Loni Labs Bio Detergent
- Tide Studio Liquid Laundry Detergent for Darks and Colors
- Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent
- Woolite Darks Liquid Detergent
- All Liquid Laundry Detergent OXI + Odor
- The Laundress New York Darks Classic Liquid Detergent
- Attitude Laundry Detergent
- Seventh Generation Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent
- Persil Pro Clean Detergent Power-Liquid
- Blissy Wash Laundry Detergent
- Oxiclean Dark Protect Laundry Booster
- Molly's Suds Laundry Powder
- Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets
- Tide Color Guard Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Dirty Labs Bio Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Woolite Darks Pacs Laundry Detergent Pods
- Clorox 2 for Colors
- HEX Performance Laundry Detergent
- Grove Co. Laundry Detergent Lavender & Rosemary
Why do black clothes fade?
You aren’t alone if you don’t understand the science behind black clothes. Darker clothes contain tons of dye. When you wash black clothing, laundry detergent not only lifts dirt and debris, it also slowly strips the dye. As the dye washes away, black will eventually turn to a faded charcoal color.
Daily wear also impacts black clothes. Abrasions reveal light spots. Loose fibers and threads mean less light refraction, which naturally makes a dark article of clothing appear lighter in color. The sun also fades dark clothes.
How laundry detergents for dark clothes work
Laundry detergents that are specifically designed to be used on black and other dark colored clothes contain special chemicals that slow the fading process. While they won’t restore your faded black shirt, they trap in the dye to prevent it from washing away. Other detergents work by tightening the fibers.
Top 20 detergents to keep your black clothes looking great
Choosing the right detergent can extend the life and appearance of your black clothes. Here are the 20 best detergents for black clothes that you’ll want to have handy in your laundry room.
1. Loni Labs Bio Detergent
Loni Labs Bio Detergent is an eco-friendly alternative to keeping your clothes clean and vibrant. It's formulated using all natural ingredients and uses powerful enzymes that target tough stains and odors. This hyper-concentrated detergent doesn't contain any artificial fragrances or harsh chemicals, making it a safe option for you, your clothes, and the environment.
Keep your black clothes looking great for many washes to come with Loni Labs Bio Detergent.
2. Tide Studio Liquid Laundry Detergent for Darks and Colors
Make faded clothes a problem of the past and keep your favorite pieces looking newer for longer with Tide Studio Liquid Laundry Detergent for Darks and Colors. This detergent is specially formulated to keep your colors bright and darks bold for many washes to come. It provides a gentle clean for all fabrics but is tough on stains.
It can be used in standard and high-efficiency washers, and even works well in cold temperatures.
3. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Laundry Detergent
Keep your dark clothes looking great with Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Laundry Detergent. This 98% naturally derived detergent may be gentle on the skin, but it works hard against stains, dirt, and odors. It’s concentrated with surfactants and stain fighting enzymes to keep your clothes looking their best.
With essential oils, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Laundry Detergent will have your clothes smelling great, naturally.
4. Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent
Doing laundry has never been easier. Just two pumps of Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent is all you need to keep your clothes looking great and smelling fresh. With its 10x concentration, this detergent is one of the most concentrated on the market today.
Puracy Natural Laundry Detergent is specially formulated for those with allergies and skin sensitivities. Though gentle on the skin, it's tough against stains, build-up and odors while protecting against dulling.
5. Woolite Darks Liquid Detergent
Protect your clothes from fading and pilling with Woolite Darks Liquid Detergent. This detergent is specially formulated to protect synthetic and blend materials from becoming damaged or faded. While it gently lifts stains and odors, it also protects your clothes so that they look never for longer.
Woolite Darks Liquid Detergent doesn't contain any bleach, dyes, optical brighteners, phosphates, or other chemicals that cause fading. It's also safe for regular and HE washing machines.
6. All Liquid Laundry Detergent OXI + Odor
Keep your clothes fresh and vibrant with All Liquid Laundry Detergent OXI + Odor. This 5-in-1 detergent fights tough odors and every stain you can think of. It's a great option to brighten and freshen your favorite jeans or blouse, especially the black and dark colored items. It's formulated to be used in all water temperatures and washing machine types.
7. The Laundress New York Darks Classic Liquid Detergent
Keep your darks vibrant and looking good as new with The Laundress New York Darks Classic Liquid Detergent. This detergent is specially designed for darks and colors and combines stain fighting agents along with a color guard to protect your clothes with each wash. The classic scent is fresh and subtle.
8. Attitude Laundry Detergent
Keep your clothes smelling fresh and get rid of the toughest stains with Attitude Laundry Detergent. This plant-derived detergent uses ingredients like green tea extract, along with an advanced deodorizing formula, to clean and protect your clothes. It doesn't contain any irritating enzymes, making it a great option for those with sensitive skin.
Attitude Laundry Detergent is available in many amazing scents, including wildflowers, citrus zest, lavender, summer berries, and pink grapefruit.
9. Seventh Generation Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent
Tackle laundry without any of the fuss with Seventh Generation Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent. Just flip the bottle over, squeeze, and you're done! No more measuring or spilled detergent. This nature-derived detergent contains an advanced enzyme formula that works against the toughest stains and odors.
Choose from great fragrances like rose, mango & mandarin, or free & clear for sensitive skin.
10. Persil Pro Clean Detergent Power-Liquid
Life's messy moments are no match for Persil Pro Clean Detergent Power-Liquid. This dark clothing-friendly detergent delivers a deep clean along with a freshness that lasts long after each wash. It's optimized to be used in all washing machine types at all water temperatures.
Persil Pro Clean Detergent Power-Liquid removes invisible dirt and visible stains while getting rid of odors to keep your clothes looking and smelling great.
11. Blissy Wash Laundry Detergent
Specially formulated to keep your clothes, especially delicates, looking and smelling their best, Blissy Wash Laundry Detergent is a must-try product. This detergent is hypoallergenic and is made with a unique plant-derived formula that is tough on stains but gentle and non-irritating on the skin. The natural lavender oil scent will have your clothes smelling like a field of spring flowers.
Blissy Wash Laundry Detergent works well in regular and HE washers.
12. Oxiclean Dark Protect Laundry Booster
Oxiclean Dark Protect Laundry Booster is specially developed for black and dark fabrics. This detergent not only removes stains, it prevents fading and piling. With this detergent, your dark colored clothes will have a deep, rich tone, even after many washes.
Oxiclean Dark Protect Laundry Booster contains anti-fade technology as well as stain fighters and enzymes to keep fabrics soft and smooth. It even works in cold water!
13. Molly's Suds Laundry Powder
One tablespoon of Molly's Suds Laundry Powder is all you need for clean, fresh clothes. This detergent powder contains four stain fighting ingredients that are safe for your family and the environment. Each scoop gently deodorizes and deep cleans your clothes, washing away dirt, grim, stains, and odors.
14. Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets
Say goodbye to measuring detergent and say hello to Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets. These sheets are made without dye, bleach, parabens, or phosphate, making them a great option for sensitive skin. Eco sheets dissolve in cold or hot water within seconds, delivering cleaning power to keep your clothes clean and fresh.
Because of the highly concentrated formula, these sheets can remove the toughest stains.
15. Tide Color Guard Liquid Laundry Detergent
Say goodbye to faded clothes when you switch to Tide Color Guard Liquid Laundry Detergent. This detergent delivers a brilliant clean that protects colors, keeping your fabrics looking bright and new. With six times the cleaning power in half the time, this HE compatible detergent targets tough stains and odors while keeping your clothes fade-free.
16. Dirty Labs Bio Liquid Laundry Detergent
There's nothing worse than faded darks that don't smell fresh. Tackle each load with clean science with Dirty Labs Bio Liquid Laundry Detergent. This detergent is formulated with an advanced enzyme cleaning technology that targets stains without the use of toxic, harmful ingredients.
Dirty Labs Bio Liquid Laundry Detergent doesn't contain any dyes, parabens, or sulfates. After each wash, your clothes will smell like a delicious combination of magnolia, bergamot, and cedar.
17. Woolite Darks Pacs Laundry Detergent Pods
Keep your darks dark while tackling tough stains and nasty odors with Woolite Darks Pacs Laundry Detergent Pods. These convenient laundry packs work in cold water and are formulated with keratin to prevent fading, shrinking, and stretching. This detergent is safe for regular and HE washing machines.
Just drop in a pack, start your washing machine, and you're done!
18. Clorox 2 for Colors
Deliver a total clean to your dirtiest clothes while keeping them vibrant with Clorox 2 for Colors. This detergent can be used in all washing machines and works to clean tough stains while removing odor. The bleach-free formula brightens colors, especially black clothes, while keeping your items smelling great.
Choose from scents like original or clean linen to keep your clothes odor-free and fresh, long after they've been washed.
19. HEX Performance Laundry Detergent
Keep your black activewear looking good as new with HEX Performance Laundry Detergent. This detergent protects your clothes from the bacteria that causes sweat stains and bad odors. With each wash, you strengthen synthetic fabrics in your clothes, which extends the lifespan and performance of your favorite pieces.
HEX Performance Laundry Detergent comes in many pleasing scents, including crisp linen, citrus woods, lavender fields, and fresh & clean.
20. Grove Co. Laundry Detergent Lavender & Rosemary
Make tough stains and faded clothes a problem of the past with Grove Co. Laundry Detergent Lavender & Rosemary. This 96% bio based detergent doesn't contain any dyes, fragrances, or optical brighteners. Instead, it contains a powerful stain-fighting formula that tackles dirt and grime at the source.
Grove Co. Laundry Detergent Lavender & Rosemary is available in fresh, natural scents, including lavender & rosemary, citrus & woods, and free & clear for sensitive skin.
Final thoughts
There’s nothing worse than putting on your favorite black shirt or jeans, only to find that they’re faded and drab looking. By switching to one of the best detergents for black clothes, you can protect your dark colored pieces for longer, which means more wear and less hassle.
Aside from using the right detergent, you can also protect your darks by washing your clothes inside out, using cold water, and using a low heat setting to protect the dye.
