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Feeling a bit meh facing that mountain of laundry? We’ve all been there! One minute you’re proudly wearing your favourite white shirt, the next it’s sporting an unintended pink tint thanks to a rogue red sock. Sound familiar? Don’t worry – we’ve got your back. Learning how to sort your clothes before doing your laundry isn’t rocket science, and once you’ve mastered these easy steps, you’ll be washing like a pro. Your clothes will stay vibrant, last longer, and you’ll avoid those heart-sinking laundry disasters. Ready to become a laundry sorting whiz?
Why Should You Sort Laundry?
Before we dive into the how, let’s chat about the why. Sorting your laundry isn’t just busy work – it’s your clothes’ best friend. When you sort properly, you prevent colour bleeding disasters, protect delicate fabrics from rough treatment, and ensure each item gets the care it deserves. Different fabric types need different water temperatures and wash cycles to achieve the best results. Plus, you’ll save money by avoiding those “oops, I’ve shrunk my favourite jumper” moments. Trust us, taking this extra step goes a long way towards keeping your wardrobe looking fresh and lasting longer.
How Do You Separate Laundry? The 4 Essential Steps
Step 1: How to Sort Laundry by Colour
Right, let’s start with the basics – colour sorting. This is where most laundry disasters happen, so pay attention!
Whites: Your crisp white t-shirts, bed linen, and anything that should stay brilliantly white goes here. These items can handle higher water temperatures and stronger laundry detergents.
Light colours: Think pastels, light blues, and other similar colours that won’t cause drama when washed together. These gentle hues play nicely with each other.
Dark colours: Navy, black, dark purple items, and other deep tones belong in this pile. These clothes are less likely to cause dye transfer but can still fade if not treated properly.
Brights: Vivid reds, oranges, and other show-stopping colours need special attention, especially when new. Wash these separately for the first few times to prevent any unwanted colour surprises.
Can I wash grey and black together? Or grey and white together?
Here’s the simple answer: light grey clothes are perfectly safe to wash with your whites, whilst dark grey items should go in with your darks (think blacks, navies, and deep colours).
Why the difference? Light grey won’t cause any colour transfer drama, but darker greys might release a bit of dye that could turn your brilliant whites a bit dull. When in doubt, think about the shade – if it’s closer to white, pop it with the whites; if it’s closer to black, it belongs with the darks.
And yes, grey and black are absolute best mates – they can definitely share a wash cycle without any colour catastrophes!
Step 2: How to Sort Laundry by Fabric Type
Different fabrics are like different personalities – they all need their own approach. Here’s how to keep everyone happy:
Cotton and heavy fabrics: Jeans, towels, and synthetic fibres can handle a bit more rough and tumble. They’re the tough cookies of your laundry basket and can cope with longer wash cycles and higher temperatures.
Delicates: When it comes to washing wool, silk, and anything with specific care labels need gentle treatment. These precious items often require cooler water temperatures and shorter, gentler cycles. When in doubt, hand washing these type of fabrics is your safest bet.
Everything else: Your everyday t-shirts, pyjamas, and casual wear typically fall into this category. They’re fairly easygoing and can usually be washed together without drama.
Step 3: How to Sort Laundry by Level of Dirtiness
Not all dirty clothes are created equal! Here’s how to tackle different levels of grime:
Heavily soiled items: Work clothes, gym gear, or even those stubborn sweat stained shirts needs that extra step. Pre-treat with stain remover and then, using your laundry machine, give them a longer wash cycle. These items deserve their own load to prevent transferring dirt to cleaner clothes.
Lightly soiled clothes: Your everyday wear that’s just had a normal day can be washed together on a standard cycle.
New clothes: Always wash new items separately for their first wash cycle. Fresh dye can be unpredictable, and you don’t want any colour surprises.
Step 4: Check Care Labels
Those little tags aren’t just there for decoration! Care labels are your roadmap to a successful laundry day. They’ll tell you the ideal water temperature, whether the item can handle the washing machine, and any special requirements. Experts always recommend checking these first – they’re like having a personal stylist for your laundry. If you see “dry clean only” or “hand wash,” respect those wishes. Your clothes will thank you for it.
What Colours Can You Wash Together? Your Washing Machine Colours Guide
For safe colour combinations, stick to these groups:
- All whites together
- Pastels and light colours (think baby blues, pale pinks, cream)
- Dark colours (black, navy, dark grey, deep purple)
- Bright colours (initially separate, then with similar intensity colours)
If you’re a new person tackling laundry for the first time, start conservative. It’s easier to gradually combine loads once you’re confident than to deal with colour disasters.
Pro Tips to Make Sorting Easier
Want to make your life easier? Here are our favourite sorting hacks:
Use a multiple laundry basket system: Get yourself a sorter with different sections – one for lights, one for darks, one for delicates. Sort as you go throughout the week, and laundry day becomes a breeze.
Invest in mesh bags: These are lifesavers for delicates like underwear and socks. Pop them in the mesh bag, and they’ll stay protected during the wash cycle.
Choose your method: There’s the thorough approach (sorting by colour, fabric, and soil level) and the streamlined method (just lights and darks). Pick what works for your lifestyle – something is better than nothing!
There you have it – sorting laundry doesn’t have to be a chore that fills you with dread. With these simple steps, you’ll achieve the best results every time and keep your favourite clothes looking their best for longer. Give it a go – your wardrobe will thank you!
