How to Sort Laundry Like a Pro: Say Goodbye to Laundry Mishaps
We've all been there. You reach for your favorite white T-shirt and best-fitting jeans, only to find them sitting in the laundry hamper. In a rush, you toss them into the washer together, hoping for the best. But when the cycle ends, your crisp white tee has a new, unintended blue tint.
Sorting laundry correctly is one of the simplest ways to keep your clothes looking fresh, vibrant, and long-lasting. Whether you've had a laundry mishap or you're just looking to improve your routine, this guide written by our laundry expert workers will teach you how to sort laundry properly—step by step.
Why Sorting Laundry Matters
Sorting your laundry isn’t just about avoiding a red sock disaster—it helps keep clothes looking newer for longer and prevents common laundry problems. Here’s why it’s essential:
1. Prolong the Life of Your Clothes
When clothes are washed with similar fabrics and colors, they experience less wear and tear. Delicate fabrics won’t get damaged by rougher materials like denim, and heavy fabrics won’t weigh down lighter ones. Proper sorting keeps clothes in good shape for longer.
2. Prevent Dye Transfer
Have you ever pulled a load of whites out of the washer only to find that one dark-colored item turned everything a shade of gray? When you wash light and dark colors together, dyes can bleed and transfer, ruining your clothes. Sorting by color prevents this from happening.
3. Avoid a Dingy Appearance
Even if dye transfer isn’t obvious, washing whites with darker items over time can cause them to look dull or gray. Proper sorting helps keep whites bright and colors vivid.
How to Sort Laundry in 6 Easy Steps
Now that you know why sorting laundry is important, let’s break it down into six easy steps to ensure your clothes come out clean and damage-free.
Step 1: Read the Care Label
Before sorting, always check the care labels on your clothing. These labels provide essential information about fabric type, recommended water temperature, and drying instructions. If a label says "hand wash only" or "dry clean only," set that item aside.
Step 2: Sort Laundry by Color
The most basic rule of sorting laundry is separating clothes by color. This prevents dark or bright colors from bleeding onto lighter fabrics. Divide your laundry into three categories:
Whites: T-shirts, socks, underwear, linens, and any light-colored garments.
Colored Clothes: Pastels, medium shades, and bright colors.
Dark Clothes: Black, navy, dark red, and dark green items.
Pro Tip: New clothes, especially dark or bright items, are more likely to bleed dye in the first few washes. Wash them separately or with similar colors to avoid staining.
Step 3: Sort by Fabric Type
Different fabrics require different washing settings. Mixing heavy and lightweight fabrics can cause damage or improper cleaning. Sort your laundry into these groups:
Cotton and Linen: These durable fabrics can handle warm water and higher agitation.
Synthetic Materials (Polyester, Nylon, Spandex): Best washed in cool water with a gentle cycle to prevent shrinking or damage.
Wool and Silk: These delicate fabrics need cold water and mild detergent. Handwashing or using the gentle cycle is best.
Denim and Heavy Fabrics: Jeans, jackets, and towels should be washed separately to avoid damaging lighter fabrics.
Step 4: Separate by Soil Level
Clothes with different levels of dirtiness should be washed separately to prevent grime from transferring. Sort into:
Lightly Soiled Laundry: Everyday wear with no visible stains.
Moderately Soiled Laundry: Clothes with light stains, sweat, or mild odors.
Heavily Soiled Laundry: Gym clothes, work uniforms, and kids' playwear. Use a heavier wash cycle and extra detergent for these loads.
Pro Tip: Washing heavily soiled clothes separately prevents dirt and odors from spreading to cleaner clothes.
Step 5: Pretreat Stained Items
Before washing, check for stains and pretreat them to improve stain removal. Here’s how:
Oil and Grease Stains: Apply dish soap and let it sit before washing.
Grass and Mud Stains: Use a stain remover and scrub gently.
Wine and Coffee Stains: Blot with cold water and treat with a stain remover before washing.
Pro Tip: Always treat stains as soon as possible. The longer they sit, the harder they are to remove.
Step 6: Use a Mesh Laundry Bag for Delicates
Protect delicate fabrics, woolens, performance fabrics, and denim by turning them inside out and placing them in a mesh laundry bag before washing.
Benefits of using a mesh bag:
Prevents snagging, tearing, and tangling with other clothes.
Adds a layer of protection for lace, bras, and silk garments.
Helps prevent socks and small items from getting lost in the wash.
Reduces lint buildup on darker items.
Step 6: Use a Mesh Laundry Bag for Delicates
Protect delicate fabrics, woolens, performance fabrics, and denim by turning them inside out and placing them in a mesh laundry bag before washing.
Benefits of using a mesh bag:
Prevents snagging, tearing, and tangling with other clothes.
Adds a layer of protection for lace, bras, and silk garments.
Helps prevent socks and small items from getting lost in the wash.
Reduces lint buildup on darker items.
Drying Clothes the Right Way
Drying is often where the most damage occurs to clothes. To keep your laundry looking its best, follow these tips:
Machine Drying Tips
Use low heat for delicate fabrics to prevent shrinking.
Dry cottons and linens on medium or high heat.
Remove clothes while slightly damp to reduce wrinkles and make ironing easier.
Air Drying Tips
Lay sweaters flat to prevent stretching.
Hang delicate items and synthetics to avoid heat damage.
Air drying is the most eco-friendly option and helps clothes last longer.
Final Laundry Sorting Tips & Tricks
Wash new clothes separately for the first few washes to prevent dye bleeding.
Don’t overload the washer. Clothes need room to move around for proper cleaning.
Use color-catching sheets when washing mixed loads to trap excess dye.
Clean your washing machine regularly to prevent lint and detergent buildup.
Conclusion
Sorting laundry may seem like an extra step, but it prevents common laundry disasters and keeps your clothes looking fresh, bright, and long-lasting. By following these simple sorting rules, you’ll avoid dye transfer, fabric damage, and dingy-looking clothes.
Next time you do laundry, take a few extra minutes to sort properly—your clothes (and your wallet) will thank you!
Looking for a family owned laundry service in Long Beach, CA to handle all of your laundry needs? Call Coco Laundry today!
Want More Laundry Hacks?
Subscribe to our blog for expert laundry tips, stain removal guides, and fabric care advice!
