In this article, we review the top-rated laundry detergents for black clothes. We compared leading brands like Tide, Gain, and Arm & Hammer to find formulas that deliver the most fade protection and graying defense wash after wash. Whether you prefer powders, liquids or pods, we’ve got you covered.
Read on for our picks of the top detergents for keeping black tees, jeans, and more looking rich and lustrous. We’ll also provide laundry tips for washing delicate black fabrics without running colors or damaging fibers.
OxiClean Dark Protect Laundry Booster, Laundry Stain Remover
OxiClean Dark Protect Laundry Booster is a specialized laundry additive designed to maintain the depth and richness of dark fabric colors, helping your dark clothes look newer for longer. This product features an anti-fade technology integrated into its formula, which extends the life of your dark and black clothes. It is chlorine-free and dissolves in cold water, effectively preventing fading and pilling while removing tough stains from your favorite dark clothing.
For optimal results, this laundry booster should be used in the wash cycle with your regular laundry detergent on a cold water setting. There’s no need for presoaking with this potent stain remover. Regularly using OxiClean Dark Protect on all your dark color laundry loads will help keep your dark clothes dark and wash after wash.
The product comes in a 3 lb container. It is part of the wider OxiClean family, which includes various products to cater to all your stain removal needs, such as stain removers, pretreaters, laundry sanitizers, and more. Add the OxiClean Dark Protect powder directly to the drum before adding laundry. It is safe for use in both standard and HE machines. Fill the scoop to line 2 for regular loads and use more for larger loads.
It’s important to note that this product should not be used on wool, wool blends, silk, silk blends, leather, or fabrics labeled dry clean only. Always test on an inconspicuous area first.
The product is manufactured by Church & Dwight and was first available on February 5, 2019. It ranks #52 in Laundry Stain Removers and #7,727 in Health and household on Amazon. The ingredients include Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Carbonate Peroxide, C12-15 Alcohols Ethoxylated, Acrylic Acid Homopolymer, Protease Enzyme, Cellulase Enzyme, Amylase Enzyme, Hydrated Silica, Colorants, and Fragrances.
Grangers Clothing Repel/Wash-in Waterproofe
Grangers Clothing Repel is a wash-in waterproofer designed to restore the water-repellent finish of outdoor and technical clothing. Over time, regular wear, dirt, and even washing can degrade a garment’s ability to repel water, leaving the wearer wet and uncomfortable. Frequent washing with a special detergent like Grangers Performance Wash can help maintain the water-repellent finish, but eventually, all fabrics will require a fresh treatment.
Grangers Clothing Repel is based on an environmentally responsible, fluorocarbon-free technology that restores the water-repellent finish to your garments, ensuring you stay dry and comfortable outdoors. It is safe in domestic washing machines and does not require heat activation for maximum protection. The product suits all outdoor and technical fabrics, including Gore-Tex and eVent garments.
The product comes in a 10-ounce bottle with dimensions of 8.07 x 1.97 x 8.07 inches. The manufacturer does not discontinue it and carries the model number GRF74. The unscented product adds no optical brighteners, making it great for hunters. It is also PFC-free and bluesign-certified.
However, it’s important to note that wash-in water repellents like Grangers Clothing Repel may not be as durable as the original factory-applied DWR (durable water repellent) finish. Therefore, waterproof garments may need to be retreated once or twice a year, depending on the amount of rain exposure.
Users have reported improved water-repelling performance after using Grangers Clothing Repel, especially when used with Grangers Performance Wash. However, it’s recommended to ensure all detergent residue is thoroughly rinsed out before applying the product, as the cleaning power of laundry soap can destroy waterproof finishes and impair the effectiveness of wash-in water repellants.
The product was first available on September 30, 2011, and is manufactured by Grangers. It ranks #118,583 in Sports and outdoors and #1,116 in Camping Personal Care Products on Amazon.
Woolite Clean & Care and Darks Pacs, Laundry Detergent Pacs, 30 Count, for Standard and HE Washers
Woolite Clean & Care and Darks Pacs are laundry detergent pacs designed to provide optimal care for your clothes. These pants are perfect for any clothing that holds special value, including your go-to blouse. One of the key features of these pants is their ability to care for clothes with a drop of keratin in every wash, ensuring that your garments maintain their quality and longevity.
The Woolite Clean & Care and Darks Pacs are designed not to cause your clothes to fade, stretch, or shrink, preserving their original state even after multiple washes. This makes them an ideal choice for those who want to maintain the color and shape of their clothes over time.
These detergent pacs are designed for regular and high-efficiency (HE) washing machines, making them versatile and suitable for various households. They are also easy to use; add a pac to your washer and run the machine.
The product was made available by Reckitt Benckiser on July 18, 2019. It ranks #289,045 in Health & Household and #249 in Laundry Detergent Pacs & Tablets on Amazon. However, it’s currently out of stock, and there’s no information about when or if it will be back in stock.
Please note that while every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the product information, manufacturers may occasionally alter their ingredient lists. Therefore, it’s recommended to always read labels, warnings, and directions before using the product. If you suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your healthcare provider immediately. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the statements regarding this product and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
Tide Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap
Tide Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap is a hypoallergenic laundry detergent designed to be gentle on the skin while providing a deep clean. It is free of dyes and perfumes, making it safe for families and particularly suitable for those with sensitive skin. The product is also environmentally friendly, meeting the strict safety criteria of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice label. This means that every ingredient in the detergent has been carefully evaluated for its impact on human health and the environment.
The detergent also removes residue from dirt, food, and stains, outperforming leading competitors’ free detergents. It is also noted for its ability to protect clothes from stretching, fading, and fuzzing and can even help reduce wrinkles and control static. Some users have reported that it bleaches, making white items look brighter and newer.
The product comes in a 92-fl Oz container, which provides approximately 64 loads of laundry. It is also HE-compatible and can be used in high-efficiency washing machines. The product is certified by GreenCircle for its energy savings during use compared to similar products in the market.
Despite its many benefits, the product packaging has raised some user concerns. The large, unrecyclable plastic container is considered wasteful, although some users suggest reusing the container and purchasing soap refills instead. There are also questions about the availability of eco-box packaging, which seems to be only available on Amazon.
As with any product, it is recommended to read labels, warnings, and directions before using or consuming a product. If you suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
SinkSuds Travel Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap
SinkSuds Travel Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap is a versatile and convenient solution for all your laundry needs, especially while traveling. This detergent is suitable for all types of fabrics, including delicate items and baby clothing, ensuring that they do not shrink, stretch, or fade. It’s also an odor eliminator, leaving your clothes smelling fresh.
The product comes in premeasured packets, making it easy to use. One packet can wash 2-3 garments in a sink, while 3-4 packets are sufficient for a resort-sized stacking washer. The detergent can be used in various settings, such as sinks, bathtubs, collapsible basins, or washing machines.
SinkSuds is a travel essential, fitting perfectly into your backpack, gym bag, duffel, purse, or diaper bag. It meets the 3-1-1 TSA guidelines for carry-ons, making it ideal for vacations, business trips, cruises, backpacking adventures, or extended hotel stays.
The product is phosphate-free and biodegradable, aligning with environmental sustainability. It is unscented and does not contain any harmful materials. The package includes 16 packets containing 0.25 fluid ounces of the detergent.
Despite its compact size, SinkSuds does not compromise on performance. Mix the packet in water, wash your garments, and hang them to dry. The product is currently out of stock, but efforts are being made to restock it immediately.
Please note that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of product information, manufacturers may occasionally alter their ingredient lists. Therefore, it’s recommended to always read labels, warnings, and directions before using the product.
OxiClean Dark Protect Liquid Laundry Booster, Laundry Stain Remover for Clothes
OxiClean Dark Protect Liquid Laundry Booster is a specialized laundry additive designed to maintain the depth and smoothness of dark fabric colors, helping your dark clothes look newer for longer. The product features an anti-fade technology that extends the life of your dark and black clothes. It is chlorine-free and cold water soluble, preventing fading and pilling while effectively removing tough stains from your favorite dark clothing.
This liquid laundry booster helps dark colors stay deep and rich when used with detergent. It is formulated with an enzyme that keeps fabrics smooth, ensuring your clothes retain their new look for an extended period. It should be used in the wash cycle with your laundry detergent in a cold water setting for optimal results. There’s no need to presoak with this effective clothing stain remover.
The product is safe on colorfast fabrics and should not be used only on wool, wool blends, silk, silk blends, leather, or dry-clean fabrics. It should be added directly to the drum before adding laundry in standard and HE machines.
Manufactured by Church & Dwight, the OxiClean Dark Protect Liquid Laundry Booster is part of the wider OxiClean family, including stain removers, pretreaters, laundry sanitizers, and more. The product comes in a 50-fluid-ounce bottle and is concentrated for maximum effectiveness. It is priced at $7.36, offering significant savings compared to its list price of $12.99.
Despite its many benefits, some users have reported that the product did not meet their expectations. Therefore, testing the product in an inconspicuous area is recommended first.
Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy 10X Duty Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap
Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy 10X Duty Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap is a powerful cleaning solution designed to remove both visible and invisible dirt from your clothes. It works at a microscopic level, ensuring that even the hidden dirt you didn’t know was there is effectively cleaned. This detergent contains 10 concentrated cleaning actives, making it the #1 Stain and Odor Fighter among liquid laundry detergents.
The product comes in Tide’s beloved Original scent, infusing your laundry with floral and fruity notes. The detergent is available in a 92 Fl Oz pack, which can handle up to 59 loads of laundry. It is also compatible with high-efficiency (HE) washing machines.
The product dimensions are 7.52 x 5.39 x 11.18 inches, and it weighs 6.44 pounds. The item model number is 151, and it was first made available on November 16, 2020. The manufacturer is AmazonUs/PRFY7, and the country of origin is the USA.
The product is priced at $12.97, which equates to approximately $0.22 per load. It is sold by Amazon.com and qualifies for free shipping on orders over $35.00 or with Amazon Prime. The product is also returnable.
This detergent has been certified by GreenCircle for energy savings during use, meeting a 10% energy savings threshold to qualify as Climate Pledge Friendly. However, it is important to note that the product is an eye irritant and harmful if swallowed. It contains biodegradable surfactants (anionic and nonionic) and enzymes. In case of accidental ingestion or contact with eyes, immediate medical attention is advised.