Vinegar to keep dyes from fading?

[zanelee]

Has anyone heard of this? It seems like I heard this before, but don't remember what to to.
I want to try and keep my cotton fabrics from fading (prints) so fast, and I just can't remember if this is true. Anyone?

[loon13]

I usually always use vinegar in my Downy ball instead of fabric softener. So I get its benefits in each wash.

The information I could find (see link below) about using vinegar in regards to keeping dyes from fading is that the some detergents + hard water = residue on the clothes. The vinegar can help remove the residue.

Here's a good page about fading laundry: Solving Laundry Problems
Also: Ask Yahoo re: fading colors

There are a couple of reasons colors can fade: too harsh a detergent, unstable dyes, too hot water.

One tip is to turn clothes inside out, so there is less abrasion on the outside of the clothes, the part that we see.

HTH....

[loon13]

I just remembered. When I use food coloring to color eggs at Easter, you're always supposed to add vinegar to the water and food coloring. So maybe the vinegar does help "set" the color?