How to sort clothes for washing to remove all dirt

Sorting by color

Sorting laundry by color is one of the simplest and most obvious ways to separate items. It prevents dye transfer, which can dull clothing over time.

White fabrics

White items should be washed together to maintain their bright whiteness.

Light-colored fabrics

Light-colored items should be washed separately from dark and white clothes, as they include pastel and gray shades.

Dark clothes

Dark-colored clothes, such as black, dark blue, or dark red, should always be washed together to prevent dye transfer from dark fabrics to lighter ones.

Bright colors

Bright-colored clothes are best washed separately since their dyes are more likely to bleed and stain other garments.

Sorting by fabric type

After sorting by color, it's advisable to sort laundry again by fabric type.

Heavy fabrics

Items like jeans and thick cottons should be sorted separately, as they require longer washing cycles and may damage delicate fabrics if washed together.

Delicate fabrics

Silk, lace, and synthetic fabrics should also be washed separately as they need a delicate wash cycle and often cold water to prevent damage.

Knits and stretch fabrics

These items, such as sweaters and activewear, should be washed separately to avoid stretching and deformation that can occur if mixed with heavier fabrics.

Sorting by level of dirtiness

When sorting laundry, always set aside a separate pile for very dirty items, such as children's clothes, grease-stained garments, and soiled towels. This allows you to pre-treat stains effectively.

Pre-treating helps break down and lift stains before they go through the wash cycle, increasing the chances of complete stain removal.

This is especially important for stubborn or dried stains. For effective washing, it’s advisable to sort items into three categories:

Slightly dirty

Clothing that is only slightly dirty can be washed together, as it usually requires a shorter wash cycle.

Heavily soiled

Heavily soiled items may need a longer wash cycle or pre-soaking. These should be separated from stain-free items, which can be left to air dry during this time.

Items with stubborn stains

These should be washed together, as they often require pre-treatment and a longer wash cycle, similar to heavily soiled items.

Always wash separately

In addition to sorting by color, fabric type, and level of dirtiness, some items should always be washed separately:

Clothing with embellishments

Items with beads, sequins, or other decorations should be washed separately to prevent decorative elements from snagging on other garments.

Items with velcro or zippers

Velcro and zippers can catch on other items and cause damage. Wash these separately or ensure they are securely fastened.

Color-sensitive items

Clothing that is prone to bleeding dye should be washed separately to avoid color transfer and staining other garments.

Bed linens and sheets

It’s recommended to wash sheets and bed linens separately to ensure they receive maximum cleaning. They can withstand a regular wash cycle in warm or hot water.

Towels

Towels are often washed in hot water to kill bacteria and maintain freshness, making separate washing ideal. Towels also shed lint, which is particularly noticeable on dark fabrics.

In addition, we discussed methods to help avoid static cling in clothing.