YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Saving black from fading? And, do you wash things before first wear? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/saving-black-from-fading-and-do-you-wash-things-before-first-wear Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 06:19:05 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php ironkurtin on "Saving black from fading? And, do you wash things before first wear?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/saving-black-from-fading-and-do-you-wash-things-before-first-wear#post-741197 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 18:24:37 +0000 ironkurtin 741197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Black items are tricky. Look for detergent marketed for blacks if you wash them; they have different names in different countries. Definitely never bleach! Turn them inside out, wash cold, and hang to dry.</p> <p>I always wash before wearing, but I don't think everyone must. </p> cinnamon fern on "Saving black from fading? And, do you wash things before first wear?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/saving-black-from-fading-and-do-you-wash-things-before-first-wear#post-741195 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 18:20:14 +0000 cinnamon fern 741195@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How about Dryel? It's a lot cheaper than dry-cleaning, and easier too, unless you live somewhere drycleaners deliver.</p> <p>I do not wash before wearing, although I do wash fruit and veg before eating. </p> Makrame on "Saving black from fading? And, do you wash things before first wear?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/saving-black-from-fading-and-do-you-wash-things-before-first-wear#post-741193 Sat, 06 Oct 2012 18:17:52 +0000 Makrame 741193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have two fairly new pairs of black pants. One is modern skinny jeans from Loft and the other is GAP real skinny (came in the mail today, I really like them). I have avoided black pants for the most part because they often end up fading quickly but I really like the idea of wearing slim-fitting black pants with flowy blouses. I am debating whether to suck it up and start dry-cleaning them. Cleaning is $6.50 a pop; the pants are about $35-40 each so by dry-cleaning every couple of weeks I will probably double the purchase price within first 4 months but maybe I will extend their life indefinitely? I am also considering using Woolite for Darks or a similar detergent and washing them inside out in cold water.</p> <p>Also, I am used to always washing new clothes before wearing but that certainly does not work for dry clean only. Where do you stand on the "wash before first wear" issue? </p>