Anyone ever try this on their dark colored laundry? They sell it at most US dollar stores. It's supposed to not fade your colors. I just bought some new black pants and shirts for work and I'd like them to stay black. Any suggestions?

[Edited 10/27/11 0:59am]

The biggest thing with keeping black clothing black is to check the fabric content. Anything that contains cotton or linen is going to fade. Period. You cannot change this - all you can do is to try to slow the process. Knits will fade more than wovens.

First, if you really, truly want to keep something black, dry clean it - regardless of fiber content. It's expensive, but the color will stay true.

Look at the care instructions and follow them to the letter. If the label says to wash in cold, wash in cold. If it says to wash in warm, wash in warm. (Different dyes respond best to different temperatures.) Turn your clothing inside out, close all fasteners (zip zippers, snap snaps, button buttons) and wash with like colors and fabrics. If your blacks are knits, wash them only with other knits. If they're woven, wash only with other wovens. Use the gentle cycle only.

Never, ever, ever wash dark colors (especially) with anything rough - ie, never wash clothing with towels. Never wash knits with jeans.

I'm not sure the type of detergent really matters. (I think that 'for dark wash' stuff is a gimmick to get people to buy more than one kind of detergent.) It's more important that you don't use too much detergent. Use the smallest amount you can get away with.

And line dry the clothes, if you can. Both the heat of the dryer and the friction of tumbling will fade clothing faster.

[Edited 10/27/11 7:14am]

Thanks for the advise. Much appreciated.

You're welcome.