How to Sort Laundry the Right Way: A Complete Guide to Cleaner, Longer-Lasting Clothes

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Introduction

Maximizing your laundry efficiency can save you time and money. With a few simple strategies, you can streamline your laundry routine and reduce the hassle that often comes with it.

1. **Sort Smartly**: Begin by sorting your laundry into categories such as colors, whites, and delicates. This not only prevents color bleeding but also allows you to wash similar fabrics together, optimizing wash cycles.

2. **Use the Right Settings**: Familiarize yourself with your washing machine's settings. Using the appropriate cycle for each load can enhance cleaning performance and prolong the life of your clothes.

3. **Optimize Load Size**: Avoid overloading your washer. A full load is efficient, but cramming too many items can lead to inadequate cleaning and increased wear on fabrics.

4. **Invest in Quality Detergent**: Choose a high-quality detergent that suits your laundry needs. Concentrated formulas can be more effective, requiring less product per load.

"Laundry is not just a chore; it's a chance to refresh your wardrobe and maintain your favorite pieces. Efficient laundry practices lead to longer-lasting clothes and a more organized home."

5. **Drying Techniques**: Consider air-drying delicate items to extend their lifespan. For regular loads, use dryer balls to improve airflow and reduce drying time.

Conclusion

By implementing these tips, you can transform your laundry experience. A well-organized approach not only saves time but also enhances the quality of your garments. Start today and enjoy the benefits of a more efficient laundry routine.

1. Why Sorting Laundry Matters

Sorting isn’t just about keeping whites white — it’s about protecting fabric life.
When you mix materials or colors, the friction, heat, and dye transfer can permanently damage your clothes.

At Washerman’s, every Wash & Fold order goes through three key sorting steps:

  1. Color (to prevent dye bleeding)
  2. Fabric type (to protect delicate fibers)
  3. Soil level (to optimize detergent and temperature)

That’s the same process you can follow at home for better results in every load.

2. Sort by Color First

This is your foundation. Always separate:

  • Whites: pure whites, socks, underwear, sheets
  • Lights: pastels, light grays, yellows
  • Darks: blacks, navies, reds, dark greens, dark purples

Why it matters: Dark colors often release small amounts of dye — especially when new — that transfer to lighter fabrics. Washing separately preserves brightness and prevents stains.

Pro Tip:
New jeans and red shirts? Wash them separately the first few times with cold water and vinegar to set the dye.

3. Next, Sort by Fabric Type

Fabric types react differently to washing and drying. Combining heavy towels with lightweight tees, for instance, can cause friction damage and uneven drying.

Here’s the rule of thumb:

  • Light fabrics: shirts, blouses, athletic wear → gentle cycle
  • Heavy fabrics: towels, jeans → normal or heavy cycle
  • Delicates: lace, silk, wool → delicate cycle or mesh bag

By sorting by texture, you keep every fiber at its strongest.

4. Finally, Sort by Soil Level

Heavily soiled items (like workwear or gym clothes) should never mix with lightly worn pieces — dirt can re-deposit during washing.

If you have:

  • Muddy clothes → pre-rinse before washing
  • Oily kitchen rags → wash in a separate hot cycle
  • Everyday wear → cold or warm water, gentle detergent

Washerman’s uses smart-load sorting to match soil levels to the right wash time, ensuring deep cleaning without overwashing.

5. The Washerman’s Laundry Sorting Chart

!-- Washerman's Laundry Sorting Guide (Embed) -->
How to Sort Laundry — Color • Fabric • Soil Level (Washerman’s Quick Guide)
Category What to Include Wash Temp Cycle Dryer Pro Notes
Whites White tees, socks, undershirts, sheets, towels Warm–Hot (as fabric allows) Normal Medium Use oxygen bleach for brightening; avoid chlorine on elastics.
Lights Pastels, light grays, khakis Warm Normal Low–Medium Turn tees inside out to reduce pilling and fading.
Darks Black, navy, dark reds/greens Cold Gentle Low or air-dry Use color-safe detergent; always wash inside out.
Denim Jeans, jackets Cold Gentle Low or hang dry Wash every 3–5 wears; add vinegar rinse to set dye if new.
Delicates Lingerie, silk, lace, fine knits Cold Delicate + mesh bag Air-dry flat Use mild detergent; avoid wringing to protect fibers.
Activewear Leggings, sports bras, tech tees Cold Gentle Air-dry / Low Skip fabric softener (clogs fibers & traps odor).
Heavy / Towels Bath towels, robes, rugs (non-rubber) Warm Heavy Duty High No softener; add ½ cup white vinegar occasionally to restore absorbency.
Bedding Sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers Warm Normal (balanced loads) Medium Wash weekly; dry until just done to prevent overdrying.
Heavily Soiled Workwear, muddy items, kitchen towels Warm–Hot (fabric-safe) Pre-wash + Heavy As fabric allows Pretreat stains; wash separately from regular loads.

6. The Washerman’s Pro Sorting Checklist

Before starting any load, ask yourself:

  1. Are colors separated?
  2. Are delicates protected in mesh bags?
  3. Are heavily soiled items isolated?
  4. Is your water temperature right for each fabric?

If yes — you’re ready to go.

7. Common Sorting Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Mixing towels with clothes (lint transfer!)
🚫 Using hot water for all fabrics
🚫 Overloading the washer
🚫 Forgetting to check care tags
🚫 Combining new darks with whites

Small habits = big results.

8. When to Let Washerman’s Handle It

If sorting feels like too much work — or if you want guaranteed results — our Wash & Fold team handles it for you.

Every order is sorted by:

  • Color
  • Fabric
  • Weight
  • Soil level

So your whites stay bright, your delicates last longer, and your time stays yours.

Final Thoughts

Sorting laundry isn’t just a chore — it’s an act of care for your wardrobe.
With the right habits (and a little help from Washerman’s), your clothes will look cleaner, feel softer, and last longer.

💙 Washerman’s Laundromat — Laundry Science, Simplified.

Call to Action

🧺 Want your laundry sorted, washed, and folded professionally?
Schedule your next Wash & Fold pickup at washermans.com
📞 Call 844-HEY-COBY | 📍 Serving Union, Essex, and Bergen Counties