Laundry Detergent Question - Special "Darks" Detergent Worth the $$?

[lizzywednesday]

Well, I have my new "gig dress" and I'm going to wash it this weekend, but checking the label it recommends "detergent for colors" and I was wondering:

(1) What the heck is different about "darks" detergents?

AND

(2) Do they make any that's unscented? (I'm allergic to dye & fragrance.)

Please help! I don't want my concert black to fade to gray.

[TwinFoxes]

I don't know what's different, and I don't think I've seen one that's unscented (although the woolite one has a very light scent, I hate scented detergents in general but that one doesn't bother me). But the woolite dark detergent really does seem to keep my clothes from fading.

[lizzywednesday]

OK, I took a peek at the ingredients and don't see much difference between my unscented up & up and the dark-formulated detergent besides the addition of dyes & fragrance.

I really can't have ANY synthetic fragrance in detergent or I have asthma attacks, no matter how light it might be to someone else. They just make me ill.

[mikala]

For an important piece of clothing I'd just use cold water and a tiny amount of your regular detergent on delicate, then air dry or whatever the label indicates. I would try to avoid mixing it with rougher textured clothing to minimize snags or pilling.

[edurnemk]

You can use just vinegar, it will "set" the color, clean, deodorize, etc. It also works as a softener. I have a friend who only uses vinegar and cold water for her dark colored clothes and they look like new.

[123LuckyMom]

You can use just vinegar, it will "set" the color, clean, deodorize, etc. It also works as a softener. I have a friend who only uses vinegar and cold water for her dark colored clothes and they look like new.

That's great! I never thought to do that. I use vinegar in the wash often, but I've never used it instead of detergent. Thanks for that tip.

[bigpassport]

You can use just vinegar, it will "set" the color, clean, deodorize, etc. It also works as a softener. I have a friend who only uses vinegar and cold water for her dark colored clothes and they look like new.

How do you use vinegar in the washing machine? How much? When do I put it in? I have a front load washer.

[TwinFoxes]

How do you use vinegar in the washing machine? How much? When do I put it in? I have a front load washer.

Not pp, but I just fill up the fabric softener dispenser. If I'm trying to set colors, like new jeans, I fill it up for a wash, and dump it in the water.

[edurnemk]

How do you use vinegar in the washing machine? How much? When do I put it in? I have a front load washer.

To use in place of fabric softener (rinse cycle) just pour about 1/4 a cup in the softener compartment, add some water if needed to get to the minimum line.

To use instead of detergent I just wing it and pour about a cup in the detergent compartment.

[lizzywednesday]

For an important piece of clothing I'd just use cold water and a tiny amount of your regular detergent on delicate, then air dry or whatever the label indicates. I would try to avoid mixing it with rougher textured clothing to minimize snags or pilling.

I tossed it a fine-mesh bag and washed it with a load of darks. I think it'll be fine.

I never tumble-dry any of my good clothing - too much of a risk. It's been sitting on a drying rack since it came out of the washer.

I do NOT want it to fade or pill - this is the dress I'm wearing at Carnegie Hall next week!!


You can use just vinegar, it will "set" the color, clean, deodorize, etc. It also works as a softener. I have a friend who only uses vinegar and cold water for her dark colored clothes and they look like new.

I added a bit of vinegar to the rinse cycle.