If your favorite black clothes have become more gray than elegant after a few washes, don't despair too quickly. There's a simple trick you may not have tried before—and it only requires one ingredient you probably already have in your kitchen: regular table salt.
Salt? Yes! Preservation clothing colors Washing clothes is a constant challenge, especially if you love darker tones or intense colors. Hot water, strong detergents, and over-drying often cause fading, which quickly causes clothes to lose their original freshness. But there is an affordable, natural, and incredibly effective way to keep colors the way you love them—vibrant, intense, and full of life.
How does the salt trick work?
Adding half a cup of salt to your washing machine drum before washing helps fix the colors in your fabric. It's a simple chemical process where sodium chloride (table salt) stabilizes the dyes in your fabric and prevents them from washing out with each wash cycle. The salt acts as a natural fixative, strengthening the bond between the dye and the fibers, reducing fading and extending the life of your clothes.
This trick is especially effective on new pieces of clothing, as it helps to set the color in the first few washes, when the rinsing is most intense. But it also works on older clothes that have already lost some of their depth - with regular use, it can gradually restore some of their original saturation.
What you need to know before you try
If you decide to try this trick, follow these steps for the best effect:
- Add half a cup of salt directly into the washing machine drum before adding clothes. There is no need for a special type of salt – regular table salt will suffice.
- Wash in cold water. Warm or hot water dissolves dyes and accelerates their loss. Cold water is kinder to colors and the environment.
- Turn the clothes inside out. This protects the outer side of the fabric, which is most exposed to wear and fading.
- Use mild detergents. Strong chemical products can damage fibers and accelerate color fading.
- Avoid drying at high temperatures. If possible, air dry your clothes or use a gentle cycle in the dryer.
Salt as an unusual but reliable ally in washing
Although it sounds strange, it is salt One of the oldest tricks for preserving colors – it was used in the textile industry and home dyeing practices. Today, it is being rediscovered as an affordable and natural alternative to many chemical color protectants.
It's the kind of trick that costs you nothing but can make a huge difference in the outcome - whether it's your favorite black dress, jeans, or a colorful T-shirt that's still "too good for home."
