Still sorting laundry out of habit?
You were probably taught to sort laundry by color. This is a common practice that goes back generations. People sorted laundry because in the past, dyes would bleed. You may have heard Mom or Dad warn you that one red sock in a load of whites can turn everything pink.
Dye technology has come a long way in the 20th and 21st centuries. So do you still need to sort by color?
So should you keep sorting laundry by color?
The short answer is: it's mostly recommended, especially for new, brightly colored items. Here's why:
Preventing Dye Bleeding: Newer, intensely dyed clothes are the biggest culprits for bleeding color onto lighter fabrics, particularly in warm or hot water. Sorting helps avoid accidental pink socks or greyed whites.
Maintaining Brightness: Washing whites together helps them stay their brightest, preventing them from absorbing stray dyes from other colors.
Gentle Care for Delicates: While not strictly color-related, sorting also allows you to wash delicate items on a gentler cycle, which is crucial for their longevity.
However, laundry detergents like the powerful Laundry Labs Power Pax we use at Rinse & Roll offer excellent color protection. This reduces the risk of color transfer significantly.
Our recommendation at Rinse & Roll?
At our wash and fold in Northridge, we prefer sorting by color (hey, better safe than sorry).
Separate Darks and Lights (especially new items): It's still the safest bet to prevent unwanted color transfer.
Wash Heavily Soiled Items Separately: This prevents dirt and grime from transferring to cleaner clothes.
Consider Cold Water Washing: Washing in cold water is gentler on fabrics and helps to lock in dyes, further reducing the risk of bleeding.
While detergent technology has come a long way, a little bit of sorting can still go a long way in keeping your clothes looking their best. When in doubt, err on the side of caution. And if you'd rather skip the sorting altogether? That's what we're here for at Rinse & Roll! We handle your laundry with expert care. We pick up and drop off at your door, too.
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