You separate clothes to wash primarily by color to prevent dye transfer and also by fabric type and soil level to ensure proper cleaning and prevent damage.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Color Separation
This is the most crucial aspect of laundry sorting. Grouping clothes by color prevents dyes from bleeding onto lighter garments, preserving their original hues.
- Lights: This includes whites, pastels, and light greys.
- Darks: This includes black, navy, dark greys, reds, dark purples, and deep blues.
- Mediums: This category is a bit more flexible and includes items that are neither distinctly light nor dark. Think light blues, greens, purples, and pinks.
New Clothes: Wash new, brightly colored items (especially reds, blues, and purples) separately for the first few washes. These are most likely to bleed dye.
Fabric Type and Delicates
Different fabrics require different wash cycles and temperatures. Separating by fabric type protects delicate items and ensures proper cleaning for more durable ones.
- Delicates: Lingerie, silk, lace, and items with embellishments should be washed separately on a delicate cycle. Consider using a mesh laundry bag for added protection.
- Heavy Fabrics: Jeans, towels, and bedding can be washed together as they require a more robust wash cycle.
- Knits: Sweaters, t-shirts, and other knit garments can often be washed together but should be turned inside out to minimize pilling.
Soil Level
Heavily soiled items require a more intense wash cycle than lightly soiled ones.
- Heavily Soiled: Clothes stained with mud, grease, or other heavy grime should be washed separately. Consider pre-treating stains before washing.
- Lightly Soiled: Clothes worn for a short time with minimal dirt can be washed on a gentler cycle.
Other Considerations
- Lint Producers: Wash towels and fleece items separately from clothes that attract lint (like corduroy and dark-colored items).
- Items with Zippers or Hooks: Close zippers and hooks to prevent them from snagging other clothes.
- Read the Labels: Always check the care labels on your clothing for specific washing instructions.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your clothes are properly cleaned and protected from damage during the washing process.
