How to Sort Laundry

Never again will you need to dread laundry day, fearing you will make a mistake and end up with pink undies. Welcome to Laundry 101: The Definitive Guide to Sorting Laundry.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dirty laundry
• Floor space
• Laundry bags or laundry baskets
• Pre-treater

1. 1) Empty all pockets
   2) Pre-treat any stains

2. For your first level of sorting dirty laundry, divide laundry into the following loads:
   
   1) Whites
   2) Dark colors
   3) Bright colors
   4) Other colors

3. 1) Next, perform a 2nd level of sorting the dirty laundry, based on temperature.
   2) Look at your pile of whites, and ask yourself, "Is this item likely to shrink?"
   3) If the answer is "yes" put it in a separate load. This load should be washed in cold water.
   5) The "no" load can be washed in warm water.
   6) Repeat this process for each of your other color groups.

4. 1) Next, perform a 3rd level of sorting dirty laundry, based on durability.
   2) Look at each load separately, and ask yourself, "Does this item have fabric that will tear easily or straps that will tangle?"
   3) If the answer is "yes" put it in a separate load. These items should be washed using the gentle cycle.
   6) The "no" load can be washed using the permanent press cycle
   7) Repeat this process for each of your other groups.

5. 1) Laundry washed in cold water or on the gentle cycle should not go in the dryer. Instead, hang these items to dry.
   2) Other laundry can go in the dryer on low heat.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the dryer filter after each usage.
• Do not wash "dry clean only" items.
• Remove items from the dryer and fold or hang immediately to prevent wrinkles.
• To save on energy costs and have fewer loads of laundry, use a cold water detergent, and wash everything in cold water.
• Dryers can catch on fire if you don't clean the dryer filter regularly.

Resources

• Kate's Faves

[EarthMother]

on 5/13/2009 How to Sort Laundry really breaks the task down. Smile!

[consignmentchic]

on 4/13/2009 If only all of my consignors did their laundry this way, they would earn a lot more cash! What solid tips. I must confess...I LOVE whoever invented bleach ALTERNATIVE, lol. 5*

[JRIngrisano]

on 2/21/2009 As a single guy, I just throw it all in ... well, sort of. Years ago, in my first laundry venture in college, I was amazed how all my laundry turned a dull shade of green. Hmmm. Okay, I admit, there are whites ... and others. Still, a good artice.

[writedesign]

on 2/21/2009 This is great for all those guys (and some girls) who just moved out of their parents house. And maybe for husbands who need a little reminding. 5*

[Siouxmix]

on 2/20/2009 i know many a person who could use this article