We all know how much of a hassle laundry is—sorting, washing, drying—it's a never-ending loop. But did you know that sorting your laundry correctly can make the whole process more streamlined and even extend the life of your clothes? With a few simple steps, you’ll be able to tackle laundry day like a pro, making it easier, faster, and enjoyable!
Let’s dive into how to separate laundry effectively and get the best results every time.
Step 1. Read the Labels
Even before you think about color or material, you must read the labels on your garments. These are your first line of defense against ruining your garments. They give you direct instructions on how to wash, dry, and care for each garment, from the sensitive material that must be washed cold to the workhorse towel that can handle hot water.
Look for wash directions, temperature range, and hand-wash versus machine-wash. It may seem an insignificant step to think about, but taking the time to check labels can save unwanted damage and help you keep your clothes in better condition.
Step 2. Sort Fabrics with Blends in Mind
Understanding how to sort fabrics by material is the beginning of achieving the optimal laundry outcome. Cotton, for instance, and linen are strong materials that can withstand any kind of wash cycle, while silk or wool needs to be handled more carefully. Blended material fabrics need special attention because they don't behave just like 100% natural fabrics.
When washing your clothes, attempt to wash natural fibers such as cotton, wool, or linen separately from synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon. Blended fibers—such as cotton-polyester blends—should be washed with similar synthetic fibers to prevent damage or shrinkage. This way, all your clothes are washed in the appropriate conditions, preventing wear and tear on sensitive materials.
Step 3. Make Different Piles for Organization
Once you’ve checked the labels and understood the fabric types, it’s time to put them in piles. Organizing your laundry into different piles is the most effective way to prevent colors from bleeding and to maintain the integrity of the fabrics. A general rule of thumb is to make three piles:
- Light-colored clothes: Whites, pastels, and other light colors go here. This helps keep whites looking crisp and prevents fading.
- Dark-colored clothes: Black, navy, red, and other dark hues have to be sorted out. This is done to avoid transferring color to light-colored clothes.
- Specialty fabric and delicates: Silk, wool, and lace clothes need to be separated, ready to go into a gentler washing cycle.
The secret is not to overfill your washer, so divide your clothes by how much you’re washing at one time. Once the piles have been divided up, it washes more effectively, and you do not have to worry about everything clashing together in the washer.
Step 4. Color Code Your Laundry
This is similar to sorting your fabrics but adds a layer of protection for your laundry, which is crucial in avoiding dye transfer, which happens when clothes of different colors are washed together.
- Whites: These are typically the most prone to discoloration, so keeping them separate from the rest helps them stay bright and fresh.
- Bright colors: Brightly colored items such as red, orange, and yellow can easily bleed onto other fabrics.
- Black colors: Although they don’t run as easily, dark clothes can still lose their brightness if washed with lighter-colored clothing. Washing them separately keeps them fresh and vibrant.
As a precautionary measure, if you are washing new or previously uncleaned clothing, you may want to do a cold wash for them on their first time. This minimizes the possibility of color transfer to other clothes.
Step 5. Pretreat Stained Items
Before you just dump everything in the wash, spend a few minutes pretreating any stained clothing. This process can make a world of difference in how well stains are removed when you wash them. Go through each pile and check for stains, whether it’s a spill of coffee, a grass stain, or some makeup.
Apply a little bit of stain remover or laundry detergent directly to the stained area and let it sit for a few minutes. This will give the product time to work at breaking down the stain, which gives you a better chance of removing it when you wash.
For delicate clothes, make sure to use a milder stain remover, and don’t use anything that is too harsh and would ruin the clothes. You may even use an on-the-go stain-removal pen or apply it to small stains for which a full wash is not needed.
Step 6. Bag Delicates for Extra Care
Delicate, weak materials, such as lace, silk, and wool, need extra washing protection from snags, stretch, or other kinds of damage. Mesh laundry bags are an instant, simple solution. The bags support delicate items away from the rougher items in the wash, which avoids friction and keeps your delicates looking great.
Place your delicates in the bag and seal it before adding them to the wash. You will particularly need to do this if you have an agitator machine, since the extra friction would most likely ruin delicate fabrics.
Step 7. Choose the Correct Drying Method
After your laundry is washed, it’s time to consider how to dry your clothes. While some garments can go straight into the dryer, others need a gentler touch to avoid shrinking or fabric damage.
- Air drying: Delicates, wool, and other fabrics that can shrink or lose shape should be air-dried. Lay them flat or hang them in a cool, dry area to preserve their shape and texture.
- Dryer settings: For dryer-safe clothes, be sure to set it right. Delicates are best done in low heat, and towels and jeans in high heat. Clothes get stiff when they are over-dried, so it’s preferable to check on them periodically.
Keep in mind that label directions and materials are always supposed to control your drying options. The proper method of drying is key to preserving the look of your garments.
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