Laundry day doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore. With a little organization and a solid routine, you can make the process efficient and even enjoyable. One of the key steps to simplifying laundry is sorting it correctly. Here’s the best way to sort laundry to keep your clothes looking their best and make doing laundry a little easier.

Quick Tip: Do a load of laundry daily to keep the laundry piles away. Laundry is a Daily Task in the Clean Mama Routine.

Why Sorting Matters

Sorting your laundry isn’t just about keeping colors from bleeding. It also helps protect fabric fibers, ensures clothes get properly cleaned, and extends the life of your garments. By taking a few extra minutes to sort your laundry, you can prevent common laundry mishaps and keep your clothes looking fresh.

Step-by-Step Guide to Sorting Laundry

1. Separate by Color:

  • Whites: Items like socks, underwear, t-shirts, and bed linens. Wash these with hot water to help remove stains and bacteria.
  • Lights: Pastel colors and light fabrics. These can be washed in warm or cold water.
  • Darks: Dark colors like black, navy, and dark grey. Wash these in cold water to prevent fading.
  • Brights: Brightly colored clothing. Wash separately to avoid color transfer, especially when it’s the first wash.

Quick Tip: After the first wash for new clothing, I don’t sort by color for kids clothes and everyone has their own basket, everything just gets washed together on warm/cold with a scoop of Oxygen Whitener.

2. Separate by Fabric Type and Weight:

  • Delicates: Items like lingerie, silk, and lace. Use a gentle cycle and a mesh laundry bag for protection.
  • Heavy Fabrics: Towels, jeans, and heavy cotton items. These can handle a more vigorous wash cycle.
  • Medium Fabrics: Regular clothing like t-shirts, blouses, and dresses. These can be washed on a normal cycle.

3. Separate by Soil Level:

  • Heavily Soiled: Clothes with visible dirt or stains. Pre-treat stains before washing.
  • Lightly Soiled: Items that have been worn but aren’t visibly dirty. These can be washed on a shorter cycle.

4. Check Labels and Care Instructions:

  • Always check care labels for specific washing instructions. Some items may require hand washing, dry cleaning, or a specific water temperature.

5. Use Appropriate Detergent:

  • Choose a detergent that’s suitable for the fabric and color of your laundry. Use a gentle detergent for delicates and a stronger one for heavily soiled items. If you’re using Clean Mama laundry products, you don’t need different detergents, just different dosing.

Quick Tip: Teach your kids to wash their own clothes – Laundry Detergent Spray makes it super easy with just 5 sprays, if they can reach the washer, they can wash their clothes!

6. Consider Water Temperature:

  • Hot Water: Best for whites and heavily soiled items.
  • Warm Water: Suitable for lights and medium soiled items.
  • Cold Water: Ideal for darks and bright colors to prevent fading and shrinking.

Quick Tips for Efficient Laundry Sorting

Create Sorting Bins: Use separate baskets or hampers for each family member. Make sure everyone knows where to put their dirty clothes.

Sort as You Go: Instead of sorting everything on laundry day, sort your clothes as you take them off. This saves time and makes laundry day less overwhelming.

Invest in Mesh Bags: Use mesh laundry bags for delicates and small items. This keeps them together and prevents damage.

Pre-Treat Stains: Have a stain remover handy and pre-treat stains as soon as they happen. This increases the chances of the stain coming out in the wash. Did you know that Laundry Detergent Spray can be used as a pre-treater?

Don’t Overload the Machine: Overloading your washing machine can prevent clothes from getting properly cleaned. Make sure to leave enough room for clothes to move around.

 

By following these steps, you can master the art of laundry sorting and make laundry day more manageable. A little organization goes a long way in keeping your clothes in great condition and making the task more efficient.

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