Do You Really Need to Separate Laundry?

Fortunately, in this example, the meanings of the symbols are repeated in English:

• 40°C equals 104°F (Celsius is used as clothing tends to be sold internationally)
• No bleach
• Iron on low
• Tumble dry on low heat
• Do not dry clean

The label also suggests it be washed and ironed inside out as well as washed separately. It’s clear this garment should not be washed with those requiring hot water and bleach. Nor should it go in the dryer on high.

Here’s a chart with all the symbols—who knew there was so much fabric care science?

When you gather your laundry together, turn your clothes inside out. I learned that trick from a T-shirt silk-screener. This will protect the surface of silk-screened tees and other articles of clothing from unnecessary external wear caused by rubbing up against other items. It may also help stop the seams on your jeans from prematurely fading on dark clothes, and it may also prevent pilling. Empty pockets, unroll cuffs and socks, tie hoodies, remove pins, zip zippers, and snug VELCRO in place.

I’ve read mixed advice about buttons. Some say to fasten them. Others say don’t, as washing can stress the buttons and buttonholes. You may want to experiment to see what works best for you. And if you have a rip or tear and you don’t want it to get larger, mend it at this stage. It will only grow larger in the washer and dryer.

It’s at this stage you’ll also want to put delicates into mesh bags, so they won’t get tangled up with the rest of the laundry. And if something absolutely must be handwashed, set it aside. Same with dry clean-only garments.

The 3 basic steps of sorting

There are different methods of separating laundry. But this is the one I prefer.

1. Sort first by color: Whites, lights, and darks. This is your most basic sort so you won’t have color migration and you can add whiteners without fear when appropriate.
2. Subdivide each color by fabric type (keep those labels in mind) and weight. For example, don’t wash heavy towels and blankets with sheets, or sheets with lighter, smaller items. If you do, your washing machine won’t like it—and neither will your laundry. And if your towels and blankets shed, don’t wash them with other heavier items that will attract the lint or fluff—like microfiber or corduroy.

The Laundress.com provides these helpful recommendations on blended fabrics:

“Our rule of thumb for washing a blend is to follow the instructions for the fabric with the highest percentage. For example, if the label indicates that a shirt contains a blend of 70% cotton and 30% polyester, follow…washing instructions for cotton. If the item contains any amount of silk, follow the washing instructions for silk even if the silk percentage is small. The same rule applies to all woolens and cashmere. If an item contains both silk and wool, follow the washing instructions for wool.”

You will also want to keep active or performance wear separate.

3. Subdivide the fabric types by how dirty they are. Dirt from very soiled clothing can float off and redeposit onto cleaner items—ick! Pretreatment, hot water, and longer wash cycles are generally required for badly soiled articles of clothing. But respect the limits of the clothing labels.

You’ll especially want to make sure bedding, towels, and undergarments are thoroughly cleaned. Reports show that, thanks to E. coli, Salmonella, and even COVID, bath and kitchen towels should be changed out every two days. So, I suggest adding a sanitizer—there are non-bleach types. If you are using a laundromat, adding sanitizer to every load is a good idea. You don’t want to take home other people’s microbes.

Obviously, undergarments are not as heavy as big towels and sheets, so consider washing smaller towels with undergarments.

Generally speaking (and again, respecting the fabric care label), hot water is used for whites, stains, and things that need to be sanitized. Cold water is for darks and anything bright that can bleed. Everything else is warm or cold, your choice.

Summarizing the benefits of sorting

• Your washing machine will be happier and live longer. Stuffing a washer too full is mechanically bad for it. Not only will the clothes have less space to move around and get clean, but the spin cycle also doesn’t handle a combination of heavy and delicates very well. Regardless of the kind of washer, always leave at least a hand’s length of empty space at the top.
• You’ll never have color transfer. True, synthetic materials aren’t as prone to color bleed or color transfer, but your jeans and cotton items are.
• You’ll protect delicate fabrics and your favorite, more fragile garments from zippers and/or more harsh fabrics
• You’ll keep items that need sanitizing together for a thorough cleaning
• You’ll have things presorted by wash temperatures and washing cycles, as well as matching dryer settings, optimizing fabric care
• All your clothes will look better and last longer—a win-win for your wallet as well as the environment

So, take the time to sort. Your washing machine, your clothes, and the environment will thank you for it.

If you’re in the market for a new washer, be sure to check out our blog on the Wet and Wild World of Washers.

And if you do get a new washer or need to replace the water inlet hoses on your existing one, Certified Appliance Accessories has you covered! Visit our page dedicated to washing machines to see all our options.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Certified Appliance Accessories is not liable or responsible for any damages resulting from or related to your use of this information.