New clothes may have been handled in shops or treated before storage, so washing suitable garments before wear can be useful. Ariel recommends removing unwanted tags, reading the washing symbols and keeping new dark items separate because their dyes may transfer more readily.

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Illustrative image.

Test a dark garment for colour release if needed, then load compatible colours without overcrowding the machine. Dose detergent according to its instructions and select the labelled programme. Unload promptly after the cycle rather than leaving damp new garments pressed together in the drum.