The 4 Best Detergents for Dark Clothes of 2024

Black clothes are a wardrobe staple for most of us. They have many advantages, go with everything, and never go out of style.

But, there’s nothing worse than seeing dark clothes or black jeans fade after a wash! To avoid this, you need the right products that protect their color and keep them vivid.

Here, we’ll explore the best laundry detergents for dark clothes on the market. With this guide, you can find a laundry detergent to keep your dark-colored clothes looking vibrant.

What To Look For In a Detergent for Dark Clothes

Types

First, choose the right type of laundry detergent for your needs. You can find liquid detergent, powdered, or single-dose detergents for dark clothes.

And each form does the job well. But, each type has different benefits.

Powder

Powder forms are the most common type of laundry detergent. They also tend to be the most affordable option.

Washing powders are a good laundry detergent for everyday stains. So they’re a good all-purpose choice.

Plus, they come in a wide range of sizes.

However, washing powder can often cause build-up in your washing machines detergent drawer. Because of this, you have to check and clean it often when you use washing powder.

It can also leave residue on your black clothes.

Liquids/Gels

Liquid form and gel detergents are becoming a popular choice for washing clothes. They’re often cleaner than powder forms and can work well on any color of clothing.

Plus, they don’t contain bleach or cause build-up in your washing machines.

Liquids and gels also provide a gentler wash. So they’re perfect for cleaning delicate clothes.

Because of this, a liquid laundry detergent is often better to use on black clothes to prevent fading. But, they do have some drawbacks.

They can be more expensive than other forms. And they aren’t always the best laundry detergents for removing stains.

Capsules/Tablets

Liquid Capsules and tablets are fairly new to the washing world. They’re made to provide the most optimal amount of detergent for each wash.

Capsules and tablets work well on colors and whites. But, they can be pricier than other types of laundry detergents.

Plus, they also don’t work as well at low temperatures or during a cold water cycle.

On the other hand, you’ll never have to worry about using too much detergent. And this can prevent a lot of waste when you’re washing your clothes.

Composition

Next, it’s essential to consider what’s in your laundry detergent when you’re cleaning dark-colored clothes. 

There are many different active cleaning agents to look out for.

• Surfactants let a lot of water penetrate cloth more easily. This is because they lower the surface tension of water. This helps to remove oil and grease from your clothes. Some front-load detergents also contain silicon compounds to reduce the level of foam.
• Enzymes break down proteins to target stains. But they can cause irritation if you have sensitive skin.
• Other clothes detergents may have builders that soften hard water and raise the alkalinity. They help surfactants work better and hold on to dirt during the wash cycle. This ensures dirt gets flushed away, so it doesn’t re-deposit on your clothes.
• Fillers stop your washing powder from clumping, so it’s easier to pour.
• Lastly, some detergents have fragrances to make your clothes smell pleasant after washing. But fragrance choice can be subjective, depending on your personal taste.

Scent

If you wear perfume or use a scented body wash, the scent of your detergent may not be a deal-breaker.

But, it might be something you want to consider if you’re worried about tough odors or strong body odor. Or if you have pets in your house.

Washing scents can stick to your clothing for as long as 2 to 3 weeks. But, keep in mind that there’s something in your detergent that’s making the scent stick.

So this is something to consider when you’re choosing a laundry detergent.

Usage

Then, think about which form will be best for your cleaning. You can choose from liquid or powder.

You should also think about the different usage for your washing detergent.

Some products are made specifically for dark and black clothes. While others are safe to keep any color or type of clothes clean.

So if you want to use your detergent on white clothes as well as dark, opt for a multi-purpose one. For example, this Woolite with EverCare detergent is multi-purpose.

But keep in mind that a single-purpose detergent designed for dark colors is likely to do the best for black clothes.

Green Certifications

Some laundry detergents have green certifications. These certifications let you know if they’re safe for your health or the environment.

Safer Choice

If you want to make sure you’re buying a product with safe ingredients, look for the Safer Choice label.

Safer Choice is an EPA program that aims to reduce pollution through testing safe ingredients ⁽¹⁾. So products with this label contain only safe ingredients for washing ⁽²⁾.

However, it’s important to note that EPA doesn’t allow the Safer Choice label on any liquid detergent packets. Because they have a soluble film, they’re a potential hazard to young children and others.

USDA Organic Seal

Some detergents claim to be “green,” “eco,” or have “natural” ingredients. But, there’s no standard or verification needed to use these terms.

So it can be hard to tell if it’s true. For this reason, you should look for the USDA Organic Seal.

The USDA seal applies to “100% organic”, “organic,” or “made with organic” products with at least 95% organic ingredients ⁽³⁾.

And it indicates that the product was made with methods approved and verified by the Department of Agriculture.