To group your laundry effectively, the primary method is sorting by color to protect your clothes and keep them looking their best.
Based on common practice and advice, including insights from sources like Sokolowski mentioned in the reference, you should sort your clothes into at least three main categories: Whites, Lights, and Darks.
Essential Categories for Sorting Laundry
Proper sorting prevents colors from bleeding onto lighter fabrics and helps maintain the brightness of whites. Here are the key groups:
- Whites: Sort all white items together. This group is crucial for keeping your whites looking bright and preventing discoloration from colored fabrics.
- Lights: This group includes light-colored clothes such as pastels and light grays. Sorting these together helps protect them from darker dyes and allows for washing cycles suitable for lighter fabrics.
- Darks: Always sort dark-colored clothes together. This includes colors like black, navy, and dark reds. Washing darks separately minimizes the risk of dyes bleeding onto lighter garments.
Quick Reference: Laundry Sorting
Here's a simple breakdown of how to categorize your clothes before washing:
| Category | What to Include | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Whites | White clothing and linens | Maintains brightness |
| Lights | Pastels, light grays, pale colors | Prevents darker dyes from bleeding |
| Darks | Black, navy, dark reds, rich colors | Protects lighter clothes from dye transfer |
By following these simple sorting steps based on color, you can help ensure your clothes come out of the wash looking clean, vibrant, and in good condition.
