Black dye is tricky. It looks amazing fresh but can turn into sad gray or weird brown after a few washes. I got tired of guessing which brand was better, so I ran a proper side-by-side test. Same fabric, same black color, same washing routine. No fluff, just results.
The test
I took two 100% cotton white thrift tees, same brand and weight. Pre-washed them, then dyed each one black following the exact instructions on the package.
Rit: Hot water stovetop method with salt and soda ash
Jacquard: Cold water Procion method with soda ash fixative
Both came out looking almost identical right after dyeing — deep, rich black.
After 10 Washes (The Truth)
I washed both shirts together in cold water with normal detergent, every 3-4 days, and dried them normally.
Rit Black:
Started fading noticeably around wash 4-5
By wash 10 it had turned into a softer charcoal gray-black
Slight brownish undertone in some lighting
Still wearable, but definitely not the same deep black
Jacquard Procion Black:
Barely changed after 10 washes
Still rich, true black with almost no fading
No weird color shift
Fabric still feels soft
Why Jacquard Won (My Take)
Jacquard Procion is a fiber-reactive dye. It actually bonds with the cotton fibers chemically, which is why it holds color way better. Rit is an all-purpose dye that just kind of sits on the fabric more loosely, especially on natural fibers like cotton.
That said, Rit is:
Easier and faster (no waiting 24 hours for curing)
Cheaper and easier to find in stores
Better on mixed fabrics (poly blends)
Jacquard needs:
More precise measuring
Longer curing time (I left mine 24 hours in a plastic bag)
Slightly more planning
I don’t know if this makes sense but for black specifically, the extra effort with Jacquard is worth it if you want the color to last.
When I Still Use Rit
Quick projects or kids’ clothes
Polyester blends
When I just want “good enough” black
For anything I actually care about (especially vintage cotton pieces I spent time altering), I reach for Jacquard now.
Bottom Line Recommendation
1. If fading matters to you → Jacquard Procion Black wins clearly.
2. If convenience and cost matter more → Rit is still solid and way better than nothing.
This is my result!