How do I keep black jeans black??

Florasaurus

I have a couple of pairs of black skinny jeans, but about 6 months after I get them all the dye runs out of them and they go a dull grey colour. This doesn't happen in any other clothes - tops/jumpers etc, only jeans

So... Does anyone have any tips on how to keep black jeans black?

Tenyearstogo

Florasaurus wrote: »

I have a couple of pairs of black skinny jeans, but about 6 months after I get them all the dye runs out of them and they go a dull grey colour. This doesn't happen in any other clothes - tops/jumpers etc, only jeans

So... Does anyone have any tips on how to keep black jeans black?

I'd love to know the answer if there is one. I just dye mine once they start to fade. It's less than £5 for a pack of dye and I just throw it in the machine.

beedeedee

I do the same as Tenyearstogo. They dye really well and will look as new.

Florasaurus

Thanks guys, I hadn't really considered dying them... I'll look into it

chrisbythesea

They don't fade as much or as quickly if you wash them inside out.

booter

Ditto washing them inside out - and when you line dry them as the sun "bleaches" jeans. AFAIK, most detergents have bleaching ingredients too, so maybe try one of the specialised "colour" detergents. Or maybe even laundry gloop!

But I have to say, I just dye mine too when they're looking a bit grey - Home Bargains sell Dylon black dye and off the top of my head I think it's £2.99.

Ben84

chrisbythesea wrote: »

They don't fade as much or as quickly if you wash them inside out.

Yes, washing inside out makes a big difference to how long my jeans keep their colour. It helps most clothes look better longer I find.

I also prefer ecological washing powder and liquid, partly because my clothes seem to last longer. Conventional products tend to leach the colour out faster, I suspect they contain more or stronger bleaching agents.

summerspring

I am casting my mind back to when I was a teenager and I wore nothing but black: black jeans, black t-shirts, black almost everything!

I think it helps if you wash all the black clothes together and use a gentle washing liquid. Also, as people have said, wash the clothes inside-out.

Apparently soaking the jeans in a salt and water solution prior to washing helps to maintain the black colour, too, though I've never tried this for myself

Butterfly_Brain

I always wash dark colours inside out this stops the sun from bleaching the colour out

sweetme

I've never tried it but apparently a spoon full of instant coffee in your wash brings back the blackness.

Florasaurus

Thanks everyone!! Some really good advice in here, definitely better than buying a new pair of jeans every year