Master the Art of Sorting Laundry for Flawless Washing Results

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How to properly sort clothes before placing them in the washing machine?

By Elmurza Jyrgalbekov

By Evgenia Ovchinnikova

Homemaker and fabric enthusiast, author of the blog xtkani.ru.

If you have a large pile of laundry, sorting is essential to avoid damage. Here are five key criteria to guide you.

1. Color

Sorting by color is the most crucial step. Here's a typical system:

• White and light gray items, especially if you plan to use bleach or wash at high temperatures. Otherwise, consider separating these into two groups.
• Black and dark navy clothes. Wash these with a detergent designed for dark fabrics to preserve their rich color.
• Red and orange garments. These can usually be washed together since slight red fading won't show on orange. For brand-new red items, wash separately the first time to avoid color transfer.
• Light multicolored clothes such as yellow, pink, light blue, and purple. For deep purple shades, wash with blues or separately.

Denim should be washed separately due to its dye, not fabric type. If you have only a few denim pieces, you can mix them with dark blues and grays.

Always check pockets to remove items that could stain clothes or damage the machine. For example, a red handkerchief left in a white load can permanently discolor your laundry.

2. Washing Settings

After grouping by color, ensure the items can be washed using the same settings: temperature, spin speed, and cycle type. If unsure, don't take risks—wash questionable pieces by hand or separately according to care labels.

3. Level of Dirt

Many washing machines offer quick 15-20 minute cycles ideal for lightly soiled clothes. Heavily soiled items should be washed separately after pre-soaking, focusing on stained areas to prevent dirt from transferring.

4. Weight and Size

Large items like blankets, bed linens, and outerwear should be washed separately to avoid uneven drum rotation, which can damage your machine or leave detergent stains on clothes.

5. Fabric Type and Use

Delicate fabrics and underwear should not be washed with rugged items like sportswear worn outdoors. Also, wash children's clothes separately from adults' for hygiene and fabric care.

To streamline sorting and save time, consider using laundry baskets with dividers to pre-sort clothes by category. However, remember that sorting preferences may vary among family members, so double-checking is always wise.

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