To prevent colors from fading in the wash, what should you test first?

When trying to prevent colors from fading during the washing process, testing for colorfastness is essential. Colorfastness refers to the ability of a fabric to retain its original color without bleeding or fading when exposed to washing, light, or other stressors. By assessing colorfastness first, you can determine whether the fabric can withstand washing without losing its hue. It informs whether a garment can be washed with other items or requires special handling, such as being washed separately or under gentler conditions.

Fabric durability relates to how well a material can withstand wear and tear over time, but it doesn't directly address color stability during washing. Washing temperature is important for cleaning effectiveness and fabric care but does not account for how the colors will react during the process. Size compatibility deals with ensuring that items fit together well in the wash but is unrelated to the preservation of color. Thus, focusing on colorfastness allows for better decision-making in laundry care to maintain the integrity of the colors in the fabric.