Love Bold Colors and Prints? Follow These Laundry Tips to Prevent Fading Over Time

Florals, polka dots, animal prints, or abstract designs — if these are your kind of statement pieces, you already know how they can flip an ordinary day into something bright and memorable. However, those eye-catching patterns and saturated hues can lose their vibrancy if you're not careful with how you wash them. 

So if you want those colors to pop every time you wear them, and not just the first time, stick to some key laundry habits. Here's what you need to start doing today.

1) Start with Cold Water, Always

If you’re still using hot or warm water for your brights, stop. Cold water is gentler on fabric dyes and keeps the color locked into the fibers. It also works just as well for cleaning, especially with today’s detergents. Cold water prevents bleeding and keeps bold tones from fading too fast.

What to do:

• Always choose the “cold” cycle on your washing machine
• Use a “delicate” or “gentle” setting for clothes with prints
• Skip hot water unless it’s for whites or tough stains
• Great for sweaters, wedding dresses, and environmentally friendly fabrics

2) Turn Clothes Inside Out Before Washing

Every time you wash your clothes, the outer fabric takes a hit, rubbing against other garments, buttons, and the inside of the machine. Turning your clothes inside out protects that outer layer from wear. It’s a small move that protects designs, graphics, and rich colors from direct friction. So if your blouse or dress has prints or beading, this step is non-negotiable.

Do this before washing:

• Flip inside out shirts, pants, gowns, or anything colorful
• Zip zippers and button up fasteners to reduce friction
• Works best for dark jeans, printed cotton, and anything with buttons or suede accents

3) Choose the Right Detergent for Colors

Standard detergents aren’t designed for bold clothing. They’re made to lift stains but not to preserve dye. You need a formula that’s made to protect colors, especially on sensitive garments like leather-trimmed dresses or wedding attire. Always go for something that says "color protection" on the label.

Always:

• Look for detergents labeled “for darks,” “color-safe,” or “bright colors”
• Avoid bleach, fabric brighteners, and cheap all-purpose brands
• Use eco-conscious options if you want an environmentally friendly wash
• Perfect for individuals looking for better price-to-quality cleaning

4) Wash Bold Items in Smaller Loads

Cramming too much into your washing machine creates excess friction. When your clothes don’t have space to move freely, they rub harder against each other, and that quickly causes fading. Smaller loads also rinse out detergent better, which helps protect your shirts, sweaters, and gowns.

Do this:

• Load the washer only halfway when washing bold clothes
• Don’t mix heavy fabrics like denim with delicate blouses or gowns
• Keep printed and embroidered items separate from rough fabrics
• Good for individuals who value care over speed

5) Skip the Dryer and Air Dry Instead

Heat is the biggest color-killer. Even one tumble dry session can shrink fibers and dull bright fabrics. Air drying helps keep your prints crisp and vibrant. If you’re worried about space or wrinkles, hang them in a room with airflow or near a fan.

To preserve colors:

• Hang or lay flat to dry, especially bold wedding dresses, suede, or blouses
• Avoid direct sunlight — UV rays fade fabrics quickly
• For sweaters or anything delicate, use a flat drying rack indoors
• Use the “air fluff” setting on your dryer if you absolutely must use it

6) Wash Bold Clothes Less Often

Washing too frequently wears down clothes, even if you wash gently. Unless a garment is stained or sweaty, there’s no need to wash it after every wear. Especially for expensive items like printed gowns, delicate sweaters, or formalwear, less is more. Preserve your investment by washing smarter.

Here’s how:

• Rewear items 2–3 times between washes when possible
• Spot-clean with a damp cloth or stain stick instead
• Steam or air out garments after each wear
• Take sensitive pieces to the nearest cleaners instead

7) Use a Mesh Bag for Delicates and Printed Fabrics

Printed dresses, lace blouses, and garments with buttons or embroidery need extra care. A mesh bag prevents friction damage and protects the surface from other rough fabrics. It's one of the easiest ways to extend the life of fragile items without changing your entire laundry setup.

Use mesh bags when:

• Washing wedding dresses, embellished blouses, or anything with suede details
• Cleaning bras, lingerie, or silk scarves
• Laundering shirts with sequins, delicate prints, or loose buttons
• Perfect for individuals looking to stretch the time between dry cleaning visits

8) Read Those Care Labels 

Care labels are fabric instructions recommended by experts. Most color damage happens because people guess instead of reading. That little tag tells you whether something should be dry cleaned, air dried, or washed on a specific setting. Don’t assume. Read it.

Pay attention to:

• Wash temperature, especially for silk, wool, or mixed fabrics
• When it says “Dry Clean Only” (and don’t ignore it)
• If the item includes leather, buttons, or specialty trims
• When in doubt, take it to the closest dry cleaner

Keep the Fun in Your Prints — Let Pier Cleaners Handle the Wash!

Keep expressing yourself with those bold colors and playful prints, without worrying about them fading away. At Pier Cleaners, we help you hold on to that vibrant energy with professional laundry care that’s gentle, effective, and designed to preserve every pop of color and eye-catching detail. This is perfect for individuals and as a trusted laundry service for families with children.

We use hypoallergenic, fragrance-free detergents, so your clothes come out clean without any harsh chemicals or lingering scents that can irritate your skin or wear down fabric vibrancy over time. Your garments are tumble dried, then promptly removed from our temperature-sensing dryers to prevent shrinkage, overdrying, or unnecessary heat damage.

Have questions or need help choosing the right service for your specific garment care needs? Call us any time at 401-661-1694 or send us an email at piercleaners@piercleanersri.com. We're always ready to help you care for what you love!