The 4 Best Detergents for Dark Clothes of 2024

By
Jeneva Aaron
Jeneva is the founder and CEO of thehousewire.com where she provides honest and objective reviews on home and cleaning products. She is a cleaning enthusiast. She got inspired to build her own cleaning blog when she realized how cleaning can make an impact on our lives and how a cleaner home can affect a person's mood.
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Updated June 28, 2023

Avoid fading with the best detergent for black clothes.

The 4 Best Detergents for Dark Clothes of 2024
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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.

Our Top Picks

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Best Portable Carpet Cleaners of 2024
Woolite Darks Defense Liquid Laundry Detergent, 66 Loads, 100 Fl Oz, HE & Regular Washers, Packaging May VaryBest Overall

Woolite Darks

Woolite Darks Defense Liquid Laundry Detergent, 66 Loads, 100 Fl Oz, HE & Regular Washers, Packaging May Vary

  • Long-Lasting Protection

  • Won’t Stretch

  • Suits Any Fabric

OxiClean Dark Protect Liquid Laundry Booster, Laundry Stain Remover for Clothes, 50 Fl OzBest Value

OxiClean Dark Liquid

OxiClean Dark Protect Liquid Laundry Booster, Laundry Stain Remover for Clothes, 50 Fl Oz

  • No Soaking

  • Stain Remover

  • Lasting Results

No products found.Best Eco-Friendly

The Laundress New York

No products found.

  • Allergen-Free

  • Versatile

  • Compact Bottle

No products found.

No products found.Best Concentrated

Perwoll Renew Black 3D

No products found.

  • Gentle Formula

  • Softener

  • Fresh Scent

No products found.

1. Best Overall : Woolite Darks with EverCare Liquid Laundry Detergent

Woolite Darks with EverCare Liquid Laundry Detergent

For anyone that wants to protect their clothes from fading, this Woolite Darks liquid laundry detergent is the way to go.

A step up from the previous formula, this new Woolite detergent adds the protecting power of EverCare. So it effectively protects your fabrics from damage in the wash while keeping the colors bright.

For safe cleaning, the effective formula has no brightener, phosphates, or bleach. This means it gently cleans stains without fading, pilling, or dulling the fabric.

You can also use it on delicate clothes, microfiber towels, and cloth fabrics. And it won’t lead to any signs of wear.

The active ingredients in this formula capture the loose dye particles. This prevents color transfer and fading during washing.

It’s also safe to use in both regular and high-efficiency washing machines.

Plus, it offers 66 loads of washing from just one bottle. You get a lot of value with this pick.

What We Like

Long-Lasting Protection

Not only does this detergent protect your clothes during washes, but it also defends them against future washing. The formula protects against fading, pilling, and stretching for up to 20 washes!

Won’t Stretch

Another great thing about this detergent is that it won’t cause stretching. So it protects more than just the color of your black clothes.

Suits Any Fabric

This detergent for high-efficiency machines is suitable for a wide range of fabrics. These include cotton, wool, silk, nylon, rayon, and also suede.

What We Don’t Like

Strong Scent

Many reviewers note that the scent is powerful. While a few people love it, some find it too intense to be enjoyable.

Technical Specs

Form Liquid laundry detergent
Weight 3.18kg
Scent Moonlight Breeze
Material Type Free N/A

2. Best Value Detergent for Dark Clothes - OxiClean Dark Protect Liquid Laundry

OxiClean Dark Protect Liquid Laundry

Saving your black clothes doesn’t have to break the bank. This OxiClean Dark Protect liquid laundry detergent offers excellent value for money.

It acts as a booster for colored detergent to protect your darker clothes during every wash. All you have to do is add a scoop to your laundry load before adding your clothes.

Not only is it affordable, but it lasts for up to 40 washes. So you won’t have to buy a new bottle any time soon.

It features anti-fade technology to keep your clothes looking vibrant and feeling brand new. And it has a triple enzyme formula to prevent pilling and stretching during the wash.

So it helps the fabric of your clothes to stay smooth, making them last longer.

But keep in mind that you can only use this laundry detergent in cold water washes. If you prefer to use warm water or hot water washes, this might not be the pick for you.

What We Like

No Soaking

This cold water detergent is fast-acting, so it doesn’t require soaking to get rid of tough marks before washing. You can throw it straight into the wash and enjoy clean clothes and bright colors.

Stain Remover

You can also use this detergent to pre-treat old or stubborn stains. Simply pour it directly onto the stain and rub gently to see them disappear.

This saves you from buying a different product to get rid of old tough stains on your clothes!

Lasting Results

Its formulated to boost the cleaning power of your laundry detergent for long-lasting results after every wash. So it extends the life of your fabrics, as well as provides lasting color protection against fading.

What We Don’t Like

Leaks

Many reviewers complain about the bottle. It often leaks even with the lid on, especially after it arrives.

This can create a lot of mess to clean up if it leaks all over your laundry room!

Technical Specs

Form Liquid detergent
Weight N/A
Scent None
Material Type Free N/A

3. Best Eco-Friendly Detergent for Dark Clothes - The Laundress - Darks Detergent

The Laundress - Darks Detergent

Want a detergent that’s good for the environment? This Laundress Dark Clothes detergent is it.

It has a non-toxic, eco-friendly formula. So it doesn’t have any strong ingredients or traces of harsh chemicals.

It safely revitalizes the color of your dark clothes that are starting to fade. This makes it a perfect choice for old clothing and faded pieces.

This Laundress detergent is also safe to use on delicate fabrics that require “dry cleaning.” For example, you can use it on silks, cashmere fibers, and satin garments.

So it can save you the hassle of caring for clothes that you can’t wash with regular liquid detergents.

What We Like

Allergen-Free

This formula is allergen-free. So it doesn’t have harsh chemicals like petroleum or dye phosphate.

If you have sensitive skin, this is the pick for you.

Versatile

It’s safe to use this laundry detergent on many types of fabric. For example, you can use it on cotton, synthetics, and linen.

This makes it perfect if you have a range of different fabrics in your wardrobe!

Compact Bottle

Less is always more when it comes to eco-friendly cleaning. And this 32 oz bottle might look small, but don’t think it won’t last!

You can enjoy up to 32 washes out of every bottle. So less packaging ends up in the waste!

What We Don’t Like

Sour Scent

Many reviewers agree that the Classic Fragrance has a scour scent that can linger on your clothes. So it might not be the best laundry detergent if you want clothes that smell sweet and fresh after washing.

Technical Specs

Form Liquid detergent
Weight 1.05 lbs
Scent Floral
Material Type Free N/A

4. Best Concentrated Detergent for Dark Clothes : Perwoll Renew Black 3D

Perwoll Renew Black 3D

Perwoll Renew Black 3D detergent has a renew and repair formula to revive your black clothes. It’s formulated to restore and protect the deep rich color of your clothing.

This detergent smoothes the rough fibers of your dark clothes to bring out their shine.
And thanks to the concentrated formula, you can enjoy up to 20 loads of washing with just one bottle.

According to reviews, as little as one teaspoon of this detergent is enough for a wash.
So it goes further than most other detergents on the market.

What We Like

Gentle Formula

This product has a gentle formula that doesn’t contain any additives. So it won’t damage your fabrics.

Fresh Scent

Many reviewers love this detergent for its fresh and pleasant fragrance. According to these reviews, the clean scent is also long-lasting.

You can enjoy clothes that smell fresh long after you wash them!

Softener

You don’t need to use a softener with this detergent. It does it all for you!

It leaves your clothes feeling smooth and soft after every wash.

What We Don’t Like

German Label

Although the name is English, this detergent has a german label. So you might have trouble understanding the directions!

Technical Specs

Form Liquid detergent
Weight 3.43 lbs
Scent Original
Material Type Free N/A

What To Look For In a Detergent for Dark Clothes

There are a lot of laundry detergents that promise to protect the color of your dark clothing. So make sure you keep these details in mind to find the right detergent for the job.

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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.

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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.
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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.

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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.

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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.

Detergent for Dark Clothes Comparison Chart

ProductFormWeightScentMaterial Type Free
Woolite Darksdetergent3.18kgMoonlight BreezeN/A
OxiClean Dark LiquidLiquid detergentN/ANoneN/A
The Laundress New York Liquid detergent1.05 lbsFloralN/A
Perwoll Renew Black 3DLiquid detergent3.43 lbsOriginalN/A
Jump to the Full Detergent for Dark Clothes Reviews

FAQ

Here are the answers to common questions about washing dark clothes.

How Do You Wash Dark Clothes Without Them Fading?

To keep your dark colors and clothes from fading, wash them inside out in cold water. And put them on a delicate cycle.

Make sure you check the care tag on your clothes for the correct washing and care instructions. This will help with preventing fading and keep your black clothes looking vivid and new.

Always use a low heat setting when you’re drying your clothes. Or, air-dry them to prevent color fading.

You should also wash colored clothes separately from black clothes. This helps to prevent dye transfers and colors from absorbing onto lighter clothes.

Turning your clothes inside out also helps to prevent deterioration. This way, the inside of your clothing takes most of the brunt during the washing cycle.

You should always add detergent to your washing machine before adding your clothes. And avoid using too much detergent.

How Do You Restore Faded Dark Clothes?

You can restore faded clothes by simply re-dying them.

Fading happens when the pigment on your clothes breaks down. So the only way to restore the color of faded clothes is to add more dye.

Also, removing the fluff from your clothing can help to restore its faded appearance.

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