Sorting laundry is a common practice for many people who do their own laundry. The idea behind sorting is to keep clothes of different colors separate to prevent colors from bleeding onto each other. But is it really necessary to sort laundry by color?
The short answer is yes, it is recommended to sort your laundry by color. There are several reasons why sorting by color is important, and neglecting to do so can have some undesirable consequences.
The first reason to sort laundry by color is to prevent color bleeding. When clothes are washed, water and detergent penetrate the fibers of the fabric to remove dirt and stains. During this process, some of the dye molecules in the fabric may detach and mix with the water. If clothes of different colors are washed together, the dye from one item can transfer onto another item, causing the colors to bleed and fade. This can be particularly problematic with bright or dark colors, which are more prone to bleeding.
The second reason to sort laundry by color is to prevent color fading. Clothes that are washed frequently will naturally experience some level of color fading over time. However, washing clothes with different colors together can accelerate this process. When clothes of different colors are washed together, the colors can rub against each other, causing friction that can fade the colors. Additionally, different colors may require different washing temperatures, and washing them together can lead to color fading.
The third reason to sort laundry by color is to prevent color staining. Clothes that are stained with dirt, grease, or other substances can transfer those stains onto other clothes if they are washed together. Sorting laundry by color can help prevent this by keeping clothes with different levels of staining separate.
Despite these reasons to sort laundry by color, there are some situations where it may not be necessary. For example, if you only have a few items of clothing to wash and they are all of the same color, there is no need to sort them. Similarly, if you are washing clothes that are all white or all black, you can wash them together without worrying about color bleeding.
There are also some types of clothes that can be washed together regardless of color. For example, towels and linens can be washed together since they are unlikely to bleed onto each other. Similarly, clothes made from synthetic materials like nylon or polyester can be washed together since they are less likely to bleed or fade than natural fibers like cotton or wool.
If you do choose to sort your laundry by color, there are a few guidelines to follow. The first is to sort clothes by color family, which typically includes whites, lights, darks, and brights. Whites should be washed separately from other colors to prevent discoloration.