Ever wish there was a guide to sorting laundry? wonder how your favorite shirt got that light pink hue? The bath towels that are all a little off-white now? If you are consistently encountering these issues, it may be time for you to learn to sort your laundry. Here are some practical tips to help avoid laundry disasters.
Guide to Sorting Whites and Light Colored Laundry
While sorting your whites and lights, make sure to check labels for anything that may require special handling. It is good practice to place all gentle cycle clothing together, so it doesn’t end up in the wrong batch. Standard whites and lights will go in on a regular cycle on hot water. Dry on regular or line dry.
Guide to Sorting Black and Blue Colored Laundry
Both light and dark gray can fall into this category and you’ll need a guide to sorting laundry here too. These colors will include most jeans as well. With jeans, make sure to turn them inside out. These colors will generally need to go in on a cold wash. Be sure to read the tags and labels on your clothing and wash accordingly. Tumble dry on low heat or line dry. It’s best to keep jeans away from the dryer if possible.
Guide to Sorting Green, Brown and Red Colored Laundry
These are generally going to include more subdued colors. If any clothing is bright, put it in its own pile. That way there is no way the colors of the bright clothing will run and ruin anything else.
Towels and Bedding
Towels and bedding are heavier than most other laundry. Doing just towels together gives options to get rid of any musty or mildew odors they have. Instead of using fabric softener, use a half cup of vinegar in the fabric softener drawer. This will keep the towels smelling fresh, while not adding any further coatings of the fibers in the towels. The less fabric softener used, the less likely the towels will trap dirt and soap in their fibers.
Follow these steps for sorting your laundry and your clothes will thank you. When drying clothes, it is usually best to air or line dry, but if you do need to use the dryer, run it on the lowest setting you can. Lower heat will do far less harm than drying on high heat. High heat will shrink most clothes, even preshrunk.