How to sort laundry? This question may seem trivial, but only by following certain rules will you avoid pulling out discolored or damaged items from the washing machine. So if you're unsure how to properly sort your clothes for laundry, the following guide is for you !
How to sort laundry?
Modern washing machines have many programs adapted to the type of fabric being washed and its soiling level, among other things. However, no machine can tell us how to sort clothes so that no item is accidentally damaged. Why is sorting laundry so important? Firstly, properly sorted clothes won't bleed or discolor. Secondly, delicate fabrics washed separately, in special conditions, will be less susceptible to mechanical damage. It's truly worth spending a few minutes sorting laundry rather than throwing the entire contents of the laundry basket into the drum and hoping for a lucky break. After all, you might get unlucky at some point.
How to sort laundry by material?
The first rule of sorting laundry is to wash fabrics that require the same conditions , i.e., temperature, spin speed, and detergent type. It's helpful to use the information on the labels sewn into the garments. Some items (e.g., wool or silk) will require hand washing, while others (e.g., viscose or lyocell (Tencel)) should have a water temperature no higher than 30 degrees Celsius. Towels and cotton bedding can be washed at 40 degrees Celsius (or higher) and spun at 1000 or even 1200 rpm. Remember to separate delicate fabrics from items with zippers and other items that could catch on other items in your wardrobe.
ANSIN'S TIP: If you're washing lace lingerie, place it in a special bag designed for this purpose. You can also use it for thin tights or stockings.
Sort clothes by color
When it comes to basic laundry sorting by color, we divide it into three groups: white, colored, and black (as well as other very dark shades, such as graphite or navy blue). To be completely safe, it's also worth separating multicolored clothes into light and pastel colors (e.g., blue, powder pink, dark beige) and saturated colors, such as red, orange, or purple. Of course, running a wash cycle with only a few items in the drum doesn't make sense, so if you can't gather enough dirty clothes and want to wash "colors," you can add a special anti-stain cloth. It catches dyes released during the wash process, preventing discoloration and transferring colors to other fabrics. You can buy these at a drugstore, for example.
Wondering how to wash silk without damaging it ? Be sure to read our article on the topic!
What else should you pay attention to when sorting laundry?
We can also sort laundry by soiling level , but remember that the material and type of stain are also important. You can add a little bleach to white cotton fabrics, but we don't recommend it for delicate fabrics. Heavily stained children's clothing should be washed separately at 40 degrees Celsius using a hypoallergenic detergent. Before putting the dirty clothes in the washing machine, try treating the stain locally. Keep in mind that the method of removing the stain depends on the substance that stained the clothing.
Learn more about removing stains from clothes in our guide!
You can pre-sort your laundry before putting it in the basket. Simply buy special bags with two or three separate compartments. A separate basket for towels and bedding is also a good idea (if you have the space). Finally, one more important tip: when sorting your laundry, remember that some items are only suitable for dry cleaning – you'll find this information on the label. Woolen jackets, down jackets, and some silk garments should generally not be washed in the washing machine. Therefore, if you see a crossed-out bowl of water symbol on the label, it's a sign that the garment needs to be dry cleaned.
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