Learn How To Separate Laundry The Right Way

Housework is a drag—trust us, we know that! Most of us grew up doing chores like washing dishes, taking out the trash, and vacuuming the entire house, often on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Sorting clothes for laundry is another task in that category: it’s tedious, but worth the effort. Proper laundry sorting can actually help extend the life of your clothes, save money, and prevent laundry disasters.

So, if your laundry basket is overflowing, it’s time to prep for laundry day by learning how to sort clothes the right way. A well-organized load can mean cleaner clothes, preserved colors, reduced drying time, and less lint. Here’s what you need to know.

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Sorting Clothes by Color

Most of us learned from our mothers or grandmothers that separating darks from lights is essential.

The last thing anyone wants is a dye-transfer disaster turning a white shirt into a blotchy mess! Here’s a breakdown on sorting clothes by color and material type:

Whites: Wash items like dishcloths, towels, and sheets in the hottest water possible to get them thoroughly clean. Adding bleach can help with tough stains and odors, but only use it when necessary.
Darks: Dark-colored fabrics should be washed separately from light ones. Turn these items inside out and use cold water to preserve their color and prevent fading.
Colors: For best results, divide colorful clothes into three smaller piles: whites, darks, and brights. This extra step helps protect each shade and avoid unwanted blending.

What About Patterns?

For patterned items (think stripes, plaid, polka dots, or florals), sort based on the dominant color. If a pattern is evenly mixed without a clear dominant shade, group it with colors that match most closely.

Once sorted, wash each smaller pile separately to ensure the colors stay crisp and vibrant.

The Lowdown on Delicates

Delicate items like lingerie, silk, or lace benefit from special care. Wash these separately or by hand, as machine washing can damage them.

Consider using a mesh laundry bag for extra protection, and always follow the washing instructions on the label.

And for anyone who’s tired of the disappearing sock mystery, here’s a hack: wash socks together in a mesh bag to keep pairs together!

Do People Really Separate Their Clothes?

According to a casual poll on Twitter by @McKenzieDewese, fewer people actually separate their clothes than you might think.

The question asked was, “If you are under 40, answer: Do you separate light clothing from dark?” Nearly 48% of respondents answered “No.”

This poll suggests a generational divide, with many younger people skipping the sorting step. Yet, experts still agree: darks and lights should always be washed separately to avoid color transfer and wear.

Some go a step further, recommending sorting by temperature, with warm colors (reds, oranges) washed only with other warm colors, and cool colors (blues, greens) washed with cool ones.

While this level of sorting might sound complex, it’s a small habit that can keep your clothes looking fresh longer.

Pay Attention to Washing Symbols and Tips

Every garment label has washing symbols that indicate specific care instructions, like recommended water temperatures, drying methods, and whether bleach is safe to use.

Following these symbols can seem tedious but trust us, it’s worth it. The right settings help maintain fabric integrity and keep clothes from looking worn out.

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of baking soda! Adding a sprinkle of baking soda to the wash can help boost cleaning power, brighten whites, and even reduce odors.

Learning to separate laundry might seem old-school, but these techniques save you time and stress in the long run.

With a few simple sorting habits, you can keep your clothes looking great, avoid unwanted color mishaps, and make laundry day just a little easier.