Sorting clothes feels like an added burden to an already time consuming laundry routine, nonetheless, it has to be done. By simply taking a few extra minutes, you can spare yourself from some major laundry headaches down the line – color bleeding, shrinkage, or worse, fabric damage.
In this blog post, we guide you through the essentials of when to wash laundry items separately and how to do it correctly. You’ll never know the difference proper sorting can make until you see your clothes come out looking and feeling as good as new.
Possible Risks of Not Separating Laundry
It might be tempting to toss all your laundry into one big load and call it a day, but that shortcut can lead to some serious consequences. That new red shirt you just bought could bleed onto your white linens or your delicate silk blouse might get snagged in a load of heavy jeans.
Below are the risks worth paying attention to if you want to keep your clothing items impeccably clean and damage free:
Risk #1: Color Bleeding
Dark and brightly colored items, especially new clothes, can transfer dye onto lighter fabrics, leaving you with stained and discolored garments. This is particularly problematic with reds, blues, and blacks, which are notorious for bleeding. Once a lighter item is stained, it is nearly impossible to restore it to its original color.
Risk #2: Fabric Damage
Washing clothes all together can lead to unnecessary wear and tear (since different fabrics require different care). For example, washing rough fabrics like denim or towels with delicate items like lace or silk can cause snags, tears, and even holes. Fabrics with embellishments or buttons are especially at risk, as the agitation in a mixed load can cause them to catch on other items and get damaged.
Risk #3: Loss of Shape and Fit
Heavy items like jeans and towels can stretch out lighter fabrics during the wash, leading to misshapen clothing. Knits and delicate fabrics are particularly vulnerable to this kind of distortion. Over time, repeated exposure to rougher, heavier items can cause your clothes to lose their original shape and fit, making them look worn out long before their time.
Risk #4: Inadequate Cleaning
Not all fabrics require the same amount of water, detergent, or washing time to get clean. And so, mixing different types of laundry in one load can result in some items not being thoroughly cleaned. For instance, heavily soiled towels might need more detergent and a longer wash cycle, while a delicate blouse could be damaged by the same treatment.
Risk #5: Shrinkage and Stretching
Different fabrics react to heat and water differently. Washing a delicate fabric such as wool or silk with a heavy fabric like denim can cause the delicate item to shrink or stretch out of shape. This is especially true when items are washed in hot water or dried at high temperatures, leading to clothes that no longer fit properly.
Risk #6: Lint Transfer
Towels, bedding, and other heavy fabrics tend to shed lint, which can cling to other items in the wash. Dark clothing is particularly prone to picking up lint, which can leave them looking dull and dirty even after they’ve been cleaned. This is another reason separating your laundry is crucial, especially when washing items like towels, blankets, or anything made from fleece.
What Clothing Items Need to be Separated in the Wash and Why
01 – Whites vs. Colors
White clothing should always be washed separately from colored items. This is because colors, especially dark and bright colors, can bleed in the wash, leading to dingy, discolored whites.
What to do instead: To keep your whites looking crisp and bright, always wash them separately in hot water with a detergent designed to prevent graying.
02 – Delicates and Lingerie
Delicate items such as lingerie, silk blouses, and lace garments require special care. These fabrics are easily damaged by rougher, heavier items like jeans or towels.
What to do instead: To protect your delicates, wash them separately on a gentle cycle, preferably in a mesh laundry bag. This extra step prevents snags, tears, and stretching, keeping your delicate items in pristine condition.
03 – Heavy Fabrics vs. Light Fabrics
Heavy fabrics, such as denim and towels, should be washed separately from lighter fabrics like T-shirts or dress shirts. The rough texture and weight of heavier items can cause abrasion, which may wear down or damage lighter fabrics over time.
What to do instead: When washing heavy fabrics, use a regular or heavy duty cycle with cold or warm water. For added protection, turn jeans inside out before washing to help preserve their color and reduce wear on the fabric. For lighter fabrics, opt for a separate, gentler wash cycle with cold or warm water. To further protect these items, consider using hypoallergenic detergent and a fabric softener to reduce friction during the wash.
04 – New Clothes
Newly purchased clothing often contains excess dye that hasn’t been washed out yet. This dye can bleed onto other garments during the first few washes, especially if the clothing is brightly colored or dark.
What to do instead: Always wash new clothes separately for the first few cycles. Afterward, they can usually be mixed in with similar colors.
05 – Items with Special Care Labels
Some clothing comes with specific care instructions that require separate washing. For example, items labeled as “hand wash only” or “dry clean only” should not be thrown in with your regular laundry in the washing machine. Ignoring these labels can lead to serious damage, including shrinking, color loss, or fabric deterioration.
What to do instead: Follow the care label instructions precisely—hand washing or dry cleaning these items could be more appropriate. If you’re unsure, it’s best to take them to a professional cleaner to ensure they are properly cared for.
A Simple Guide to Properly Sorting Your Laundry
With a few simple steps, you can protect your clothes from damage, keep your colors vibrant, and make your laundry routine more efficient. Let’s break it down so you can start sorting like a pro.
Separate by Color
The first step in sorting laundry is to divide your clothes by color. Group your items into whites, lights, and darks. Whites should include anything that’s all white or mostly white, lights consist of pastels and light shades, and darks are your black, navy, and deep colored items. This prevents color bleeding and keeps your whites from getting dingy.
Sort by Fabric Type
Next, sort your laundry by fabric type. Heavier fabrics such as denim, towels, and sweatshirts should be washed separately from lighter fabrics like T-shirts, blouses, and dress shirts. Washing together heavy and light fabrics can lead to fabric damage, stretching, or inadequate cleaning. Keep together similar fabrics to ensure each load is cleaned properly.
Check for Special Care Labels
Before you toss anything into the washing machine, check the care labels on your clothes. Items labeled as “hand wash only” or “dry clean only” should be set aside and handled according to the instructions on the label. For garments that require delicate care, consider using a gentle cycle or placing them in a mesh laundry bag.
Pretreat Stains
If you spot any stains, now’s the time to treat them. Pretreating stains before washing helps prevent the stain from setting in and becoming permanent. Use a stain remover or a bit of detergent directly on the stain, and let it sit for a few minutes before washing. This extra step ensures your clothes come out of the wash looking their best.
Sort by Soil Level
Another smart way to sort your laundry is by soil level. Heavily soiled items, such as gym clothes or muddy jeans, should be washed separately from lightly soiled clothes, like office wear. This allows you to adjust the wash cycle and detergent amount based on how dirty the clothes are, ensuring a more effective clean.
Consider Washing Temperature
Finally, sort your laundry based on the recommended washing temperature. Delicate fabrics and dark colors often require cold water, while whites and heavily soiled items may need warm or hot water. Following the correct temperature settings helps preserve fabric quality and color vibrancy.
No Time to Sort Your Laundry? Let Red Hanger Cleaners Handle It For You!
If sorting through piles of laundry isn’t how you want to spend your time, Red Hanger Cleaners is here to help. Our professional wash and fold laundry service in Salt Lake City, Utah, takes care of everything for you – from sorting to washing to drying, and even folding!
Simply drop off your laundry and we’ll take it from there. Or better yet, take advantage of our convenient FREE pickup and delivery service. Our customers love how easy it is to schedule a pickup through their Red Hanger Cleaners account or by sending us an email. So no more wasted time sorting – just fresh, clean laundry delivered right to your door anywhere you are in Salt Lake County and the neighboring counties.