Sorting laundry before washing isn’t just about separating white clothes from black ones. It’s also important to consider the material. Incorrectly mixing different types of fabrics can lead to fibre damage, discolouration, or reduced clothing lifespan. If you want your garments to keep looking like new, just follow the basic sorting rules.
Sorting by Colour
Colour is one of the main criteria when sorting laundry. To prevent colour bleeding or fading, divide your laundry into the following groups::
- White colours – T-shirts, bed linens, towels, and other light fabrics that should be washed separately.
- Light colours – Pastel shades, light blue, pink, or beige clothing.
- Dark colours – Black, navy blue, or brown items.
- Intense colours – Red, burgundy, purple, orange, and other strongly dyed textiles that may bleed colour.
Tip: Always test colourfastness with new clothing. Simply dampen a small area of the fabric and press it against a white cotton piece. If the colour transfers, wash it separately or use colour-catching sheets.
Sorting by Material
Different materials require different washing conditions. To avoid mechanical damage and loss of quality, sort your laundry according to fabric composition:
- Cotton and linen: Durable materials that can withstand higher temperatures.
- Synthetics (polyester, elastane, acrylic): Should be washed at lower temperatures, ideally up to 40 °C.
- Wool and cashmere: Require gentle hand washing or a special wool program.
- Silk and delicate fabrics: Wash them in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle cycle.
Sorting by Level of Staining
Heavily stained laundry can affect other garments, so it’s a good idea to separate it into:
- Everyday wear – T-shirts, pants, blouses, and similar items that don’t require intensive washing.
- Sportswear – Contains sweat and bacteria, so it’s best washed separately.
- Work and heavily soiled clothing – Grease stains, mud, or paint require pre-washing or a stronger washing cycle.