How to Sort Laundry

Washing your laundry can be very intimidating. Knowing how and where to start can be confusing. Every garment has different instructions for the care of the item. It almost seems like there should be classes on how to wash clothes. With the following tips, you will be well on your way to washing like a professional.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• laundry sorting system (optional)

1. Begin by sorting your clothing by type of clothing. Place towels and washcloths together. Place socks, underwear and pajamas together, and shirts and pants togther. Dresses, skirts and other female delicate clothing should also go together. Sorting these catagories by individual is also a good idea because these items will be together during the cleaning process and when they are finished drying, they can be folded and put away.

2. After sorting by type, items must be sorted by color. Whites go together, but you can also add creams and other light colors to them. Reds should be washed seperately because of possible color bleeding. Darks should be washed together.

3. After sorting by color, items care labels should be checked for water temperature. Darks are usually washed in cold, while light-colored items can be washed warm or hot. While you are checking the labels, also check the pockets for any items left inside.

4. After checking the care labels, the garments are ready for wash. Be sure that when you wash different loads, you change the washing machine's water temprature to the appropriate place.

Tips & Warnings

• Washing each person's items together really helps with the whole laundry process. It keeps you from having to seperate your load after drying because everything belongs to the same person.
• Investing in a laundry sorting system is also helpful. It allows you to sort your laundry when it gets dirty instead of having to sort it when washing. Most sorting systems have 3 or 4 baskets so you can sort your colors and types into each basket.
• The care label is the most important thing. If you do not read the care label, you may wash the item in the wrong type of water or you may not be able to wash the item at all. Also care labels will tell you if the item can be dried in your dryer or if it should be air dried.

[MrMaranatha]

on 7/8/2008 that will work....