For those on the Dark Side...

What do yo use to wash dark/black clothes? I tried Woolite dark colours formula but that left very unattractive bits of whiteish something in little blobs on the clothes (comes off once brushed). At least nowadays you can get cloths wash products that don't try to bleach everything to bits but still I'm far from content with the fading I get over time. Has anyone found a winner product that really does the job whilst keeping the colours intact (yes I use the dark colours mode at 40°C of the machine).

Do you use powder or liquid? I always use liquid and only liquid.

Did you use the apartment communal washing machine? Perhaps there is a residue left behind in the machine, or even a tissue was washed by the previous user... ? I always make sure the soap dispenser is clean before I start.

Maybe you could wash your bed sheets with liquid detergent, and so clean the machine first, and then wash your dark clothes with liquid black detergent.

I only use liquid, there's no way powder would do the job. I did sheets first to clean out the system (yes it's the communal one) but still... So for you what liquid products seem best?

I really like Ariel.

I use Perwoll Colors liquid and things seem to come out fine. Perwoll also has a liquid for black or dark colors but I've never tried it. I also use color catchers. Those are great! Another trick you can try is to put diluted vinegar in the rinse compartment instead of fabric softener.

I use liquid too and, as 3Wishes said, put vinegar instead of softener.

For darks, I only do 30°. I think this is where you might find the biggest difference.

I use coral sensitive, or coral black and a tiny bit of held fabric softener. Mostly 30 degrees, shortest cycle i can manage.

Oh, and for some reason, turning darks inside-out helps too.

Inside out, low temp 30C, short cycle and HyperU own brand liquid for dark colours. In the UK I buy Dylon washing machine dye (used with salt) and put clothes I like to remain really black through one cycle once a year.

I buy it in the UK every time I go- as it is cheaper and available all over, Tesco, Wilkinson, etc, etc. Google Dylon Machine dye (much easier than the hand stuff for the sink!!!)- but you must add salt.

Cheap own-brand washing powder from Marktkauf, 30 or 40 degrees, everything mixed together, bit of cheap fabric conditioner from same shop as powder.

Buy new clothes once faded.

Persil liquid for everything but whites. Then I use Arial and Enka.

Also, I only put the darks in the dryer for 3 minutes on 'fluff' then let line dry. Complete machine drying seems to fade them as well.

I don't know the answer but I can ask my better half ...

From the title I thought you might refer to those of us living in the German-speaking Kantons (with respect to the latest popular initiative results).

And, judging by your avatar, you like grey anyway

Virtually all of my dark clothes go straight to the line. Most of the light ones too. Dryers are good for sheets and towels.

Is it an illusion or do condensation dryers get hotter than hot air dryers?

No, it refers to those of the various gothic / metal / industrial / alternative tribes that mostly wear black or dark clothes...

I learned to turn my clothes inside out ages ago since I buy a lot of tshirts with geek stuff printed on them. I just bought Coral and will see what it's like, got a wash going right now.

What exactly is the point of using diluted vinegar instead of fabric softner? That was a surprising tip...

Vinegar helps fixing the colours and is great to get rid of the Kalk (English?) in the washing machine.

PS Don't worry, your clothes won't smell of vinegar

Mh colours don't tend to run, at least for my clothing. Kalk/Calcaire is Calcium Carbonate ( CaCO3 ) and yes it's a problem but not so much in the Lausanne area.

Coral seems to have done the trick, although there might have been some tissue residue or something in the previous washes...

Thanks everyone for the answers!