I’m a busy mum, this 2p hack stops dark clothes fading in the wash & you have it in the cupboard already
A BUSY mum has revealed a clever and cheap hack for bringing life back to faded clothes.
There are so many hacks out there for getting whites sparkling.
Getting blacks to pop again is simple
Everyone has tea or coffee in their cupboard
But just as annoying as stains on light clothes is dark garments losing their colour.
Whether it’s old faithful black jeans, dull school trousers and skirts or worn-out dark tops, fading is a common frustration in many households.
But Plumbworld, bathroom and kitchen has found one mum with the solution – and the chances are it’s already be sitting in your kitchen.
Sarah Thompson, 39, a mum-of-two, has revealed how adding a splash of black tea or coffee during the washing machine’s rinse cycle can help revive dark clothing naturally — all for around £1.25 per month and less than 2p per wash.
Sarah says the tip came from her grandmother and has saved countless items of clothing over the years.
She explained: “My kids wear black school trousers and sweatshirts every day.
“After a few washes, they always looked worn out and faded.
“But adding cooled black tea in the rinse has really helped keep the colour fresh without using harsh dyes.”
She brews a strong cup of black tea or coffee, lets it cool and then pours it into the washing machine’s final rinse compartment or directly into the drum.
Sarah added: “It costs barely anything — I just use a cheap teabag or whatever instant coffee we already have.”
Black tea and coffee contain natural tannins — plant-based compounds that have been used as dyes for centuries. When used during the rinse cycle, they lightly tint dark fabrics and enhance the depth of black or navy hues.
A Plumbworld expert explains: “Unlike synthetic dyes, tannins from tea and coffee cling gently to fabric fibres, helping to restore richness without staining lighter areas of clothing.”
The pros say this makes the natural stainers particularly useful for black jeans, dark t-shirts, socks and school uniforms, which often fade with repeated washing.
And a box of 80 basic teabags costs around £1.25 which means it’s just 1.5p per wash.
How to use the tea trick at home
BREW one strong cup of black tea or coffee (1 teabag or 1 tsp of instant coffee).
Let it cool completely to avoid damaging the fabric.
Pour it into the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine, or directly into the final rinse water if washing by hand.
Wash darks separately – and don’t use this method on light clothing.
Repeat every two to three washes to maintain colour.
While this hack is safe and effective for many households, there are a few important things to consider, according to the experts.
It works best on natural fibres like cotton or denim — not synthetic fabrics such as polyester, which are less likely to absorb the tannins.
It’s not a permanent dye — the colour enhancement is temporary and subtle, but regular use helps maintain appearance.
And always ensure the tea or coffee is completely cooled before use to prevent fabric damage.
Plumbworld pros say: “This is a great trick for cotton-based darks — but use it carefully and only on garments you want to darken or refresh.”
She added: “Dark fabrics can fade fast when exposed to heat, friction, and strong detergent. Small steps like this help preserve your clothes longer and cut down on replacements.”
EXTRA TIPS
PLUMBWORLD washing gurus have more tips to help your clothes last longer:
Wash dark clothes inside out to protect outer fibres from friction.
Use cold water where possible to prevent colour breakdown.
Avoid overloading the drum — clothes need space to move freely.
Use gentle detergents for darks — some powders contain brighteners that can dull dark tones.
Air-dry in the shade — direct sunlight fades black garments quickly.
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