How to Make Black Clothes Black Again, With or Without Dye

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Laundry specialist Rani Gorgis explains how to revitalize your favorite black clothes with dye

Co-authored by Rani Gorgis and Dan Hickey

Last Updated: December 31, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Using a Dye Bath
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• Using Coffee
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• Preventing Fading
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• Video
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• Q&A

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Almost all black clothing eventually begins to fade after repeated washing and drying, leaving you with a closet full of dull, gray shirts and pants. Instead of going out and buying new clothes, you can easily dye them at home or wash them with coffee to restore them. Keep scrolling to learn how (plus the best ways to prevent black clothes from fading) with tips from professional laundry specialists and costume designers.

How to Fix Faded Black Clothes

Laundry specialist Rani Gorgis suggests using black fabric dye to make your black clothes look like new again. To dye your clothes:

1. Fill a heat-safe plastic bucket or stainless steel sink with very hot water.
2. For liquid dye, pour directly into the water. For powdered dye, mix first before pouring.
3. Submerge the garment fully for up to 1 hour.
4. Remove and rinse the garment with warm water first, then cold water.
5. Wash the item with mild detergent on a warm, gentle cycle.
6. Hang the item to air-dry away from sunlight.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Restoring Black Clothing with Dye

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1. 
   1
   Determine if your fabric will receive dye. Fabric dye works best on natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, and silk. Synthetics such as rayon and nylon are also good candidates. There are a couple of fabrics that won’t accept dye well, though—100% polyester and spandex. Avoid attempting to dye those.

   • It’s recommended that you don’t attempt to dye the fabric of any garment labeled “dry clean only.”
   • The different fabrics absorb dye differently from one another, with results that vary in appearance. If you are concerned about a particular garment, test a swatch first.
   • Laundry specialist Kamel Almani says that “the best option is to re-dye the fabric if the color is faded.”

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Rani Gorgis is a laundry and cleaning specialist with extensive experience in dry cleaning, wash-n-fold, shirt laundry, and servicing smoke-damaged clothes.

   Kamel Almani is a laundry and cleaning specialist and co-owner of WashyWash, a toxin-free and eco-friendly laundry and dry clean service based in Amman, Jordan.

   Ayad Mirjan is a dry cleaner and laundry specialist with a focus on easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions for professionals, families, and businesses.

   Natalie Hanrion is a costume designer and owner of Archaic Costumes and Designs, LLC.
2. 
   2
   Fill a plastic bucket or stainless steel sink with very hot water. As Gorgis puts it, the hotter the water, the deeper the color result. 140°F (60°C) is the maximum temperature you can use and will result in the deepest black color. Make sure you use enough hot water to completely submerge your garment.

   • If you want the deepest black and your tap water doesn’t get hot enough, use a stove, tea kettle, or microwave to heat the water.
   • Do not use bathtubs made of porcelain or fiberglass for any part of the dyeing process because they will stain.
   • To prevent messes, cover your workspace with plastic or newspaper before you begin. Have sponges and paper towels within reach in case of spillage.
   • Wear gloves throughout the dyeing process to avoid staining your hands.
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3. 
   3
   Pre-dissolve powder dye in a separate container in very hot water. Be sure to dissolve it thoroughly and use a chopstick or any other handy tool you don’t mind staining to stir the mixture until well mixed. If you’re using liquid dye, all you need to do is shake it well before adding it to the bucket. According to Gorgis, either will work: “I would suggest using liquid or dry black dye.”

   • Check the dye packaging to make sure you are using enough dye for the amount of clothing you’re dying. The amount needed varies from product to product, so consult the packaging or insert for exact measurements.
   • Alternatively, if you have a front-loading washing machine, you can use a fabric dye pod directly in the wash! Follow your product’s instructions; in general, you’ll:
     • Pre-wash your garment and leave it damp in the washing machine drum.
     • Remove the lid of the pod and place it inside the machine.
     • Run a warm cycle without detergent, then a second cycle with detergent.
     • Air-dry your garment. (You’ll also probably want to run an empty cycle to clean away any remaining dye, too.)
4. 
   4
   Pour the mixture into your dye bath (the bucket or sink). Make sure that the mixture blends well into the hot water. Gorgis says to “Add the dye to that container and stir to make sure it mixes well.” There needs to be enough water in the bucket so that your garment can move around freely and be stirred while in the dye bath. This is so that your garment will get evenly dyed.

   • Add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of laundry detergent to the dye bath to promote dye absorption. Stir the laundry detergent into the dye bath until it is well dissolved.
   • When dyeing cotton, rayon, ramie, or linen, add 1 cup (280 g) of table salt to the dye bath. This will intensify the color.
   • When dyeing nylon, silk, or wool, add 1 cup (240 mL) of white vinegar to the dye bath to intensify the color.
5. 
   5
   Submerge your garment in the dye bath for an hour. “Place the item in the container and let it submerge so it can absorb as much dye as possible. Let the item soak for about an hour,” Gorgis says. (The longer your garment is left in the dye bath, the darker the result will be.) “Try and keep the water temperature as hot as you possibly can so that the dye is consistently absorbed into the clothing.” Agitate and stir the garment while it’s submerged in the bath.

   • Have a stove top, microwave, or tea kettle nearby to heat water up to use to refresh the dye bath.
   • Another option is to use a large stainless steel pot for the dye bath and go through the process with the pot being heated on the stove to keep a consistent temperature.
   • Pro tip: Costume designer Natalie Hanrion adds that “It’s important to make sure your fabric’s wet before you put it in the dye bath. That’ll help it dye evenly.”
6. 
   6
   Remove the clothing from the dye bath, rinse it, then wash it. Start with a warm water rinse (warm water removes the dye on the surface of the garment more efficiently). After the warm rinse, rinse in cold water. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear.

   • When you remove the items from the dye bath, they will be wet and appear darker than the final result will be.
   • Then, turn your items inside out and place them in the washing machine. Almani recommends washing them alone in warm water with a mild detergent on a gentle cycle.
7. 
   7
   Hang-dry the clothing. You can dry your items in a dryer if you’re short on time, but hang-drying clothing preserves its dark colors. Once dry, your clothing is ready to wear!

   • For the first 3 times you wash your newly dyed clothing after wearing, wash the items alone in cold water using the gentle cycle and mild, non-bleach detergent.
   • After that, you can wash the dyed items with other items of the same color that haven’t been dyed, but make sure it’s always in cold water and using a mild detergent.
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Section 2 of 3:

Restoring Black Clothing with Coffee

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1. 
   1
   Put your garments in the washing machine. If you are darkening multiple items, make sure they are all similar in color. Start a gentle wash cycle using cold or cool water.

   • This method is most effective when used on cotton fabrics, like faded black t-shirts. The effects aren't as ideal on other types of fabrics.
   • If you want to restore clothing to a very rich black color, coffee is less effective than black fabric dye. Coffee will have more natural-looking results and may not be a strong long-term solution.
2. 
   2
   Brew up a pot of very strong black coffee. The stronger you make the coffee, the darker the final outcome will be, so keep that in mind when brewing. You will need 2 cups (475 mL) of coffee for this, so use a full-sized coffee maker if you have one (not a single-serve or smaller coffee maker).

   • You can also use 2 cups (475 mL) of black tea instead of the coffee for similar results, if that's your preference.
   • It doesn't matter how you get the two cups of coffee, as long as they are fresh and dark. If you're an instant coffee drinker, it's perfectly fine to make your coffee with that. Being brewed by a coffee maker isn't a requirement.
3. 
   3
   Add 2 cups (475 mL) of coffee to the washer when the rinse cycle begins. Close the lid of your washing machine and let the machine and coffee do their work. Allow the rest of the cycle to finish up just as it normally would.

   • You do not need to add detergent or other additives to the washing machine—just the coffee will do!
   • If you've used commercial fabric dyes on your clothing before, you'll notice that this method smells much better during the process and after.
   • The coffee method is also non-toxic, and you don't have to worry about coffee staining the basin of your washing machine.
4. 
   4
   Hang your clothing to dry. Machine drying dark garments can lead to fading, so get in the habit of always hanging up your black clothes after washing them to preserve their color. Once dry, the garment is ready to wear.

   • Keep in mind that another normal wash (without coffee) will most likely fade your clothes again. You may need to repeat this treatment whenever you want to wear your black clothes.
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Section 3 of 3:

Preventing Black Clothes from Fading

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1. 
   1
   Wash your dark clothing only when necessary. Each wash cycle contributes to additional fading, so the less you wash them, the better. As Gorgis explains, “The more you wash black clothes, the more they will fade. Try to be gentle with black clothes by not washing them often and using a gentle detergent” when you do. This is especially true of denim, which fades the most easily.

   • To get away with washing your dark clothes infrequently, take them off and let them air out after wearing them instead of washing. Put the item on a hanger and hang it somewhere by itself for a day before putting it back in the closet.
   • After wearing the item and air drying it 2 or 3 times, go ahead and wash it.
2. 
   2
   Sort your clothes by color and weight before washing them. Always wash your dark colors together; otherwise, the colors may bleed and stain any lighter colored items being washed. As dry cleaner and laundry specialist Ayad Mirjan puts it, “Wash with like colors; never mix lights with darks.” Also, sort your clothing by fabric type and weight.

   • If you wash delicate items with garments made of heavier fabric, the delicates can get damaged and the heavier fabrics probably won’t get as clean as they should.
   

   Replace dyeing trips with at-home solutions. "I appreciated the actionable dyeing tips to easily restore faded favorites at home. The prevention section gave helpful clarity, too — hanging clothes to dry instead of machine drying makes a noticeable difference." - Julie R.

   Find budget-friendly solutions for fading black clothes. "As a cleric on a tight budget, I appreciated learning easy fixes to restore the rich black color of my expensive religious garments without having to buy replacements. The coffee method is especially ingenious — I'm excited to try it out and save money while meeting parishioner expectations." - Joan G.

   Prevent color loss with simple laundry adjustments. "I used to wash clothes on normal settings, but after reading this, washing them inside out, using less detergent, and switching to gentle cycle helped prevent black clothes from fading. My laundry room got a bit brighter!" - Marry B.

   Understand the laundry mistakes causing fading. "This article clearly explains little-known reasons for color loss — like water temperature and dryer damage — that we were unintentionally doing wrong for years. Going to overhaul our laundry habits to preserve our dark clothing." - Jason M.

   We want to hear from you! Advice from our readers makes our articles better. If you have a story you’d like to share, tell us here.
3. 
   3
   Hand-wash delicate items and fragile fabrics. The agitation caused by your washing machine during a cycle is far too harsh for your delicates. Hand-wash these items in cold water to preserve their color and prevent them from being damaged.

   • If you really want to avoid hand washing your laundry, the next best thing is to get a small mesh bag for your delicates. Put them in the mesh bag prior to putting them in the washing machine. This will cut down on damage to your delicates.
   • If you have any garments that you are unsure how to launder, dry-clean them.
4. 
   4
   Turn your black clothes inside out before washing them. Almani explains that “black jeans should always be washed inside out and at lower temperatures to avoid fading.” This protects your black clothing (including non-jeans garments) by guarding it against the agitation caused by your washing machine. The wash cycle distresses the fibers of black clothing, which causes them to break down and then fade.
5. 
   5
   Wash your clothes in cold water using the gentle cycle. According to Mirjan, “Heat is the enemy of black clothes. Wash your black clothes in cold water only. Warm or hot water contributes to garment fading.” These cycles are much rougher on your clothing, and the gentle cycle will protect and preserve garments.

   • If your washing machine also has a soil setting, always use the light-soil setting (unless your clothes are really dirty). The light-soil setting is far gentler on dark color than the other settings.
6. 
   6
   Use a detergent made specifically for black or brightly colored clothing. Never use regular laundry detergent with bleach or bleach alternatives. Several companies make detergents that are specifically for use with dark colored clothing, so use that if you can find it.

   • Use the minimum amount of detergent necessary to get your garments clean. Excess detergent can lead to fading.
   • A common favorite detergent for black clothes is Woolite Dark Defense.
7. 7
   Add ¼ cup (60 mL) of distilled white vinegar to your laundry to preserve the color. A splash of vinegar can prevent your black clothes (and bright colors, too!) from fading in the wash. Just add ¼ cup (60 mL) to the fabric softener compartment or straight into the machine during the final rinse cycle (pause the machine, pour in the vinegar, then let the machine rinse and spin).

   • Do this about once every other week to prevent wearing down delicate garments.
   • Vinegar is also great for removing odors, removing buildup from hard water, and gently cleaning the inside of your washer.
8. 
   8
   Hang your clothes to dry. “​​Skip the dryer, as it also causes clothes to fade. Always line-dry your black clothes and make sure to keep them away from the sun,” Mirjan warns. Pull the items from the machine, shake them out, and immediately hang the items individually on a rack so that they can dry.

   • Once completely dry, they are ready to be stored in your closet with the rest of your wardrobe.
   • “If you are in a rush and must use a dryer, keep the dryer humid by wetting a face towel and throwing it in the dryer with your clothes,” Mirjan adds. “If your clothes are dry cleaning safe, always select the dry cleaning option to preserve the garment color and the integrity of the fabric fibers.”
9. 9
   Soak new black clothes in saltwater before their first wash to lock in the dye. The chlorine in salt stabilizes the dyes in your clothing, preventing color bleeding and keeping your clothing vibrant for longer. Dissolve about 2.5 oz (75 g) of salt in 1 gallon (4 liters) of water, then fully submerge your black clothing for around 3 hours. Gently wring out each item and wash as usual, adding 2.5 oz (75 g) of salt to the fabric softener compartment.

   • If you do this regularly, remember to periodically clean your washing machine to prevent salt buildup.
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• Question

  Will black dye change the color of white stripes on black clothing?

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor
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  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

  Staff Answer

  Yes, this can happen either during washing or deliberate dyeing of the garment. First, if the black dye runs from the black clothing during washing, it will change the white stripes to a dull gray or even a black color. Second, if you are using the black dye method suggested in the steps above, then the white stripes will definitely be dyed black, so you shouldn’t use any dyeing method on clothes with other colors than black on them or you’ll dye those areas too.

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• Question

  How do you keep black clothes from fading in vinegar?

  

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  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

  Staff Answer

  Vinegar usually helps to prevent fading rather than cause it and it can brighten blacks by removing soap residue that has built up on the clothing over several washes. Overuse of vinegar might be too harsh on some fabrics though, so just don’t use it too often on your black clothes, and that should ensure it doesn’t contribute to any fading or weakening of the fibers.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
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• Question

  How can I fade my black clothes?

  

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  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

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  To fade your black clothes, do the opposite to the things you’d need to do to prevent them from fading! For example, to help them fade, try washing the black clothes in hot water, and use a strong detergent. Also, dry them on high in the dryer and leave them the right side out when washing. Repeat these things until the clothes have faded enough for your needs.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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