07/08/2020

How to Restore Faded Clothing

I take such good care of my clothes, so it bothers me when I put on a pair of black pants only to notice that they look faded. When this happens, I typically run through all the usual culprits like redeposition and proper care, but truthfully, black garments, even if you do everything right, can be difficult to care for, especially when it comes to black docker-type pants.

One option to bring a faded garment back to life is to dye it.

Steps For How to Properly Dye Your Clothing

1. Synthetic fibers will not take dye as well as natural fibers, so check the care label. If the fabric composition is predominately natural, like cotton, silk, linen, or wool, it will likely accept the dye. If it is a blend of natural and synthetic fibers, it may not take the dye, and if it is completely synthetic, like spandex, acrylic, or polyester, it won’t take the dye at all.
2. Take the garment with you when selecting the dye color because you are going to want it to match it in order to achieve the result you are looking for.
3. Be certain the garment is clean before starting the process. Any areas with spots or stains will likely not absorb the dye.
4. Dye is permanent, so use gloves, wear old clothes, and cover the area with plastic or newspaper in case the dye splashes.
5. Fill a wash basin with water ranging from 120-140° Fahrenheit; it will take 3 gallons of water for every pound of clothing.
6. Dissolve the dye and salt in a small amount of water, and then stir the mixture into the basin of water making certain everything is dissolved. Be sure to follow the directions on the package so that you use the proper amounts of both dye and salt.
7. To avoid touching the mixture, use long-handled tongs or a spoon. Add the clothing to the basin, making certain it is completely submerged, and allow it to soak for 30-60 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. The more you stir, the more even the color distribution will be.
8. Once the recommended time has passed or you believe the color is perfect (remember color looks darker when garments are wet), remove the garment and rinse thoroughly with cold water until the water runs mostly clear. (To avoid having the dye stain your basin, be sure to clean it immediately.)
9. Wash the item in the washing machine on cold, by itself. Allow the garment to dry completely to make sure you are happy with the results. If you are, be sure to wash it on its own a few times to ensure no dye is transferred to other garments. If you’re unhappy with the results, you can always repeat the dyeing process.

Here’s an extra tip: turn garments inside-out when you wash them; it may help prevent color loss. If you have questions about dyeing clothing, please feel free to stop at any of our locations to speak to the manager.