You just want to do some laundry quickly, but then you start to hesitate. Can that light gray sweater go with white? Do towels have to be kept separately? And does it really matter if you wash everything at 30 degrees?
Sorting laundry sounds like one of those jobs that people make overly difficult. Yet it is often precisely the difference between clothing that remains beautiful for a long time and clothing that becomes gray, faded or oily after a few washes. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be complicated. Three simple checks go a long way: color, fabric and temperature.
Why sorting laundry is important
Sorting laundry is not about perfect housekeeping. It's all about preventing damage. More happens in the washing machine than just rinsing. Clothing rubs against each other, colors can rub off and different fabrics react differently to water, heat and spinning.
For example, dark clothing can release color, especially if it is new. White laundry absorbs that color easily, causing a fresh shirt to slowly turn gray. Towels release lint and often require a firmer cycle than thin shirts. You don't want to wash sportswear too hot, because elastane and technical fibers wear out faster.
If you always throw everything together, it seems useful in the short term. But in the long term it costs your clothes, freshness and sometimes even extra washes because something does not come out of the machine clean or nice.
The simple basics: sort by color
Start with color. That is the easiest and most important step.
White laundry
White shirts, white towels, bedding and light underwear can usually go together if the material and washing label match. Be careful with clothing that has colored prints or edges. These can sometimes come off, especially during the first washes.
Coloured laundry
Coloured laundry is anything with a clear color: blue, green, red, pink, yellow and prints. You prefer to wash new brightly colored items separately or with similar colors the first time. Red and dark blue are notorious for staining.
Dark laundry
Black, dark gray, navy and dark green remain better if you wash them separately. Wash dark clothes inside out and do not use a program that is too hot. This prevents black from becoming faded more quickly.
Lightly mixed
Light gray, beige, pastel and cream are somewhere between white and colorful. If an item is really light and does not stain, it can often be done with a light wash. Are you in doubt? Then a light colored laundry is safer than bright white.
Then check the fabric
Color is step one, but fabric is just as important. A thin blouse and a rough towel may have the same color, but they do not require the same from your washing program.
It is better to wash towels, dishcloths and cleaning cloths separately from clothing. They absorb a lot of water, release lint and sometimes require a more hygienic program. In addition, zippers, hooks and rough fibers can damage delicate clothing.
Delicate fabrics such as wool, silk, viscose and fine lingerie need a gentle cycle. Don't just throw them in with jeans or towels. If necessary, use a laundry bag and choose a low spin speed.
Sportswear also requires attention. Many sports shirts contain elastane or technical fibers. Washing too hot can take out the stretch and odor can linger if you use too much detergent. It is best not to wash sportswear together with fluffy towels, because synthetic fabric attracts lint easily.
Which temperature do you choose?
The best temperature is on the washing label, but you can use this as a basis:
- 30 degrees: everyday clothes, dark laundry, sportswear and lightly worn items
- 40 degrees: underwear, socks, shirts and normal colored laundry
- 60 degrees: towels, bed linen, dishcloths and laundry that requires extra hygiene
- Cold or wool program: wool, delicate fabrics and clothes that shrink quickly
Hotter is not automatically better. Washing too hot can cause colors to fade more quickly and fabrics to shrink. On the other hand, always washing everything cold is not ideal, especially not for towels or cloths with a lot of skin oil and dirt.
So don't choose based on feeling, but on function. What needs to be cleaned, what fabric is it and how much can it hold?
Common mistakes when sorting laundry
The biggest mistake is thinking that color is the only thing. Black jeans with a black sports shirt seem logical, but those jeans are heavy and abrasive. The sports shirt can therefore pill or wear out more quickly.
A second mistake is running drums that are too full. If clothes don't have room to move, they won't clean as well. Detergent can also be distributed more poorly, leaving residue behind.
And then there is still too much detergent. More detergent does not automatically make your laundry cleaner. It can actually leave residues in fabric and machine. You will notice this in a musty smell, stiff towels or white stripes on dark clothes.
Handy sorting rule for busy days
Don't feel like having five laundry baskets? Then use this practical division:
1. White and very light
2. Dark and black
3. Fur and normal clothing
4. Towels, bed linen and cloths
5. Delicate or sport separately when necessary
That's enough for most households. You don't have to treat every piece of clothing scientifically. You especially want to avoid the major risks: color bleeding, lint, shrinkage and wear.
Where do Cosmeau wax strips fit into your routine?
Good sorting is the basis. Then easy dosing helps. With Cosmeau washing strips you use a fixed dosage without a heavy plastic bottle or fiddling with caps. This is useful if you quickly do several loads: put a strip in the drum, select a program and you're done.
They are Made in NL, have no plastic packaging and suit white, colored and dark laundry. With small or lightly soiled laundry you can often use less, but with a large full drum you can use the recommended dosage. Free shipping applies from €19.
Not a panacea for incorrect sorting, but a gentle basis for a simple washing routine.
Quick checklist before you start
Check this before you turn on the machine:
- Is there anything new or brightly colored?
- Are towels or dishcloths separate?
- Are delicate clothes in a laundry bag?
- Is the drum not too full?
- Is the temperature consistent with the washing label?
- Are you not using more detergent than necessary?
If you check these points, you will prevent most washing problems before they occur. occur.
FAQ
Do you have to wash towels separately?
Usually yes. Towels release lint, absorb a lot of water and often require a firmer cycle than regular clothing. Washing separately keeps clothes nicer.
Is gray possible with white laundry?
Very light gray can sometimes be used with white, but only if it does not stain. When in doubt, it is better to wash gray with light colored laundry, especially if the garment is new.
Is 30 degrees enough for all laundry?
No, not always. For everyday clothing, 30 degrees is often fine, but towels, bed linen and dishcloths sometimes need 40 or 60 degrees for extra freshness and hygiene.
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