How To Whiten Whites and Restore Faded Black Clothes

Need to know how to remove yellow stains on white clothes? Are your black jeans looking a little faded? Find the solutions in our handy guide.

Updated August 11, 2023

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Written by Eunice Samson

Images of white shirt, read on to learn how to remove perspiration odours from clothes

Laundry

Black and white clothes are notoriously difficult to look after. White clothes seem to attract dirt like a magnet, and go yellow if not looked after properly, whilst black clothes are known for fading. So it pays to know a few things, from how to restore faded black clothes to how to whiten white clothes that have yellowed. Here’s what you need to know.

Prevent having to learn how to restore faded clothes by investing in a quality detergent, such as Surf, which will be gentle to your clothes whilst still cleaning them properly.

How to Wash Clothes Carefully

There are a number of ways you can prevent having to learn how to restore faded clothes altogether. Here are a few tricks:

Choose a detergent like Surf which is kind to clothing and is less harsh on the colors, yet still tough on marks.
Wash clothes inside out so you’re less likely to have to learn how to remove faded colors from clothes.
Make sure to separate colors, whites, and denim to prevent color from running.
Skip tumble drying clothes as much as possible.

How to Whiten Whites

If you’re to learn how to whiten white clothes that have yellowed, or how to whiten whites, check out these helpful tricks:

Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with ¼ cup of water, scrub onto the mark, leave it for around an hour and wash as normal if you’re looking for a method for how to remove yellow stains on white clothes.
When it comes to how to bleach white clothes, there are two options. You can either pop your clothes in a bucket of cold water and add a few tablespoons of bleach if you want to whiten clothing. If you need to know how to remove yellow stains on white clothes, you can use straight bleach, dabbing a little onto the mark before rinsing thoroughly.
When bleaching clothes, always test on a small, hidden area of the garment first, and read the label carefully.

How to Restore Faded Black Clothes

For black clothes, fading can be a big problem. Learn how to restore faded clothes using dye with these tips:

Buy a packet of black dye and mix follow the instructions on the label, using a bucket big enough to fit your clothing.
Wet your clothing first so that it’s damp, before submerging it in the bucket of dye.
Make sure all the clothing is submerged, leaving it for as long as the instructions say.
Rinse with hot water until it turns clear, and then switch to cold water.

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Dyeing is a simple way to learn how to remove faded colors from clothes, and it works a treat, too!

Next time your whites are looking a little yellow, check back on these tips for how to bleach white clothes, and if your blacks are starting to fade, remember that dyeing them is a great way to solve the problem. It’s much better to fix your clothes than chuck them out! Just always be careful when bleaching clothes and using chemical dyes.

A quick fix for how to restore faded black clothes is to re-dye the items.
Use bicarbonate of soda or bleach to remove yellow stains from white clothes.
Remember that prevention is the best way to stop your clothes from fading or getting stained.

Do you want to learn which household cleaning tasks cause the most stress? Then read our Heated Household data analysis.

Frequently asked questions on clothing care for faded clothes

Is it possible to dye black jeans with coffee?

Yes! Surprisingly enough, it is actually possible to dye black jeans with coffee. You will need to use a strong, dark brew – the darker the brew, the darker the dye! While wearing gloves, simply brew up enough dark coffee to fill a bowl or bucket, place your jeans inside and leave them to soak overnight. In the morning, pop them in the wash on a gentle cycle with no detergent. Finally, all you have to do is allow them to dry and get wearing them!

How do you fix a faded spot on clothes?

If you're curious about how to fix a faded spot on clothes, simply add ½ cup of table salt to the empty washing machine drum before you add your clothes. Once this is done, all you need to do is complete a regular wash cycle. Alternatively, using white vinegar in place of the salt should do the same job.

How do you prevent black pants from fading in the first place?

We have four great tips to share for how to prevent black pants from fading. First, always turn your pants inside out prior to washing them. Second, ensure you only wash them with other dark clothing. Third, always use a cold wash. Finally, a gentle wash – or even better a hand wash – is best.

How do you fix faded black shoes?

Wondering how to fix faded black shoes? It’s easier than you think. Using a fine brush or some cotton wool, apply shoe dye to the affected area. Work carefully and methodically to ensure you avoid getting the dye on any other fabrics – or other parts of your shoe. If you need to, a second coat can be applied once the first coat has dried. Lightly brush your shoes once they are fully dry to remove any loose residue.

How do you bring back color in faded clothes?

Our salt in the wash trick could help you restore the color to your clothing as well as faded spots – it’s definitely worth giving it a go. If all else fails, you may need to simply dye your clothing to give it a new lease in life.

Originally published October 12, 2018