When clothing fades...

Who has not had a black shirt or brown pants that has faded with every wash? And this in spite of taking care of the temperature (no more than 30 º) and using detergent for colored linen (without bleach).  Maria Virginia Garcia, author of Tips for your home, explains how to revive the colors of clothes in a simple manner. In another moment we will discuss the commercial dyes for clothing.

When black clothing loses color and becomes grayish, wash with mild detergent and then rinse several times in water in which spinach has been cooked. For red clothing, soak in salted water for an hour or two. Blue colored clothing can be soaked in water with vinegar. And if it's brown, green or gray soak it in water with alum and salt.

Why does the water in which spinach is cooked have the ability to revive dark colors on fabrics? Spinach has a good proportion of oxalic acid. This acid is used in the textile industry for dyeing and printing fabric: helps set the colors, especially dark colors.

Many laundry detergents are alkaline , or have at least a certain degree of alkalinity for efficacy purposes (they neutralize acidic dirt, making it easier to remove). But while these alkaline agents do a good job eliminating grease, it is also true that they eliminate black pigments and other organic elements. Therefore dark clothing fades rather quickly with each wash. The oxalic acid in spinach neutralizes the excess alkalinity of detergents, preventing discoloration and enabling garments to retain their original color.

Alum is the product used as deodorant, but in powder form. It is easily available as it is sold in healthy food stores and at herbalists.

(Traslated by A.M., Kenya)