To pre-sort laundry efficiently, you can separate items into categories as you collect them, often facilitated by a multi-compartment hamper.
Pre-sorting laundry involves separating clothes based on factors like color, fabric type, and soil level before washing. A practical method, as suggested by sources, is to use a handy sorting hamper, with compartments that allow you to separate items before wash day rolls around. This keeps your laundry organized from the moment it's placed in the hamper, reducing the sorting task on wash day.
For the most effective pre-sorting, especially for color longevity and best results, it's recommended to separate items into specific piles. Even if you start with a basic separation, you should ultimately aim to divide your laundry into the following main categories just before washing:
Recommended Sorting Categories
According to laundry best practices, you should separate clothes into these core groups:
- White or light clothes: Items that are primarily white or light pastel colors.
- Dark clothes: Items in dark colors like black, navy, dark grey, and deep purples or blues.
- Colors: Brightly colored items or mixed patterns with vibrant colors.
By sorting into these distinct piles, you help prevent color bleeding, protect delicate fabrics, and ensure optimal cleaning cycles for each type of load.
Using a sorting hamper with pre-defined sections for these categories directly simplifies the process, allowing you to place clothes into the correct compartment immediately after wearing them. This method effectively pre-sorts your laundry, making wash day quicker and easier.
