Employing the recommendations and choosing proper cycling conditions for DHAQ enables us to achieve a fade rate as low as 0.02%/day. This fade rate is 18 times lower than the lowest rate reported previously of 0.38%/day, and over 200 times lower than the value under standard cycling conditions of 4.5%/day. We interpret the results with a picture in which the first decomposition product, 2,6dihydroxyanthrone, is stable but after electro-oxidative dimerization, the anthrone dimer decomposes. We identify conditions for which there is little time after dimerization until the dimer is rapidly re-oxidized electrochemically to form 2,6-dihydroxyanthraquinone. The findings and their mechanistic interpretation are expected to extend the lifetime and enhance the effectiveness of in-situ electrochemical regeneration for other electroactive species with finite lifetimes. Here we list recommendations for controlling the fade rate of anthraquinone-based flow cells with a finite lifetime.