For most of us, doing laundry isn’t an exhilarating task. It’s something that needs to be done, but it’s not usually something we look forward to. That’s why we often feel like tossing everything into the washer or dryer and hope for the best.
However, if you want your clothes to last longer and stay looking their best, it’s essential to consider a few precautions. You’ll want to know how to sort your clothes for washing, what temperatures are best and how to dry your clothes properly.
And in one of the previous articles, we examined whether you should wash khakis with lights or darks. But what about when it comes to drying your clothes? Can you dry lights and darks together, or do you need to keep them separate? Read on to discover!
Can You Dry Darks and Lights Together?
No, you shouldn’t dry darks and lights together if you want your fabric colors to stay true and not bleed. Lighter colors can pick up darker dye from other clothes in the dryer, making your light clothes look dingy.
Sometimes doing laundry can feel like a science experiment. There are so many rules and regulations to follow, and it can be easy to make a mistake. And yes, one of such rules is separating lights and darks when drying them.
You see, lights and darks don’t mix. So, whether you’re washing or drying them, don’t include darks and lights in the same lot. Otherwise, darker colors can bleed and transfer their dye onto lighter garments, resulting in your light clothes looking dingy and discolored.
You want to avoid that, so it’s best always to keep darks and lights separate – even when you’re drying them. That way, you will keep your clothes in tip-top condition and prolong their durability.
Of course sometimes it’s tempting to think that since drying differs from washing, you can just toss all your clothes in the dryer together and wait for things to run themselves perfectly fine. But that’s not the case.
Keep in mind that all clothes begin in the dryer when wet and still have some water in them. So, even if you don’t put lights and darks together in the washing machine, there’s a chance that they can still mix in the dryer.
To be on the safe side, always sort your clothes before you put them in the dryer. That way, you can avoid any accidental mixing and ensure that your clothes remain in their utmost best state.
Can You Dry Different Colors Together?
Different colors can actually be dried together – as long as they’re all similar in color. So, if you have a load of clothes that are all different shades of blue, green, or purple, it’s perfectly fine to dry them all together.
However, you should avoid mixing different colors that are on opposite ends of the color spectrum. For example, don’t dry red clothes with green clothes or blue clothes with orange ones. Otherwise, the colors may bleed and transfer onto each other, which will compromise their durability and aesthetic.
But then again, if it’s possible to sort clothes of similar color by light and darks, the better. That way, you further minimize the risk of color bleeding and ensure that your clothes will come out in their original color intensities.
But if it’s not possible, it’s still fine to have all in the same lot. Only ensure that you pay attention to the water temperature to avoid fading, but more of that will come later in the article.
Can You Dry White and Colors Together?
You can’t dry white and colors together. White-colored clothes should never be allowed to interact with other colors in the dryer. White is so light that it can easily pick up other colors – even if they’re just a little bit darker.
One thing you already know about white clothes is that you have to treat them with an extra bit of care than other colors. That’s because they’re more susceptible to staining. In fact, sometimes, they’ll even pick up colors from other clothes that are slightly darker.
So, when it comes to drying your clothes, always remember that it’s best if whites are handled separately from other colors. That way, you can avoid any unwanted color bleeding and staining.
As for the dark clothes, they may not develop any harm from their white counterparts. But white apparel will suffer when dried in the company of darks. So again, if you want your whites to remain whiter, it’s best to give them a separate cycle in the dryer.
Can You Dry Colors and Darks Together?
Dry colors and darks should not be dried together. We recommend separating pinks, light green, yellow, lavender, light greens, and other lighter colors from dark-colored ones like red, brown, black, grays, navies, and other deep colors.
That way, you ensure that the darker shades don’t unintentionally transfer their dye onto the lighter garments, which would ultimately make your light clothes lose their aesthetic appeal.
While white color is the most delicate among colors, very light colors are also prone to color bleeding. Colors like baby pink, powder blue, and other pastel colors can readily lose their vibrant hues when dried with darker clothes.
So, to preserve the beauty and longevity of your clothes, always sort all light-colored clothes from those coming in a dark color. That will definitely call for more cycles in your dryer, but it’s still worth the hassle to keep your clothes looking great for longer.
Will Colors Bleed in Warm Water?
Warm water can actually cause colors to bleed. So, ensure you are extra-careful when washing non-white clothes with warm water. Otherwise, you may leave all that beautiful color down the drain.
One advantage of white clothes over other colors is that you can safely wash them with warm water without the risk of color bleeding. That’s because white clothes don’t have any pigment that can be transferred to other clothes or run off in the wash.
On the other hand, colored clothes are likely to bleed in warm water. The high temperature of the water causes the clothing fibers to expand, allowing them to release their color pigment more easily. As a result, your clothes may come out of the wash looking dull and faded.
Also, the hot temperature may shrink the clothes, so you’ll end up with clothes that no longer fit properly. So, it’s always best to opt for cool or cold water when washing your colored clothes.
Of course, warm water has its pros, but comparing them with the downsides, it’s not worth the risk – especially when you’re dealing with colored clothes. So, to play it safe, we highly recommend that you stick to cold water when washing your colored clothes.
Can You Dry Towels and Clothes Together?
No, you should not dry towels and clothes together. Drying them together will not only increase the drying time but it may also cause your clothes to come out wrinkled. Hence, it’s always best to dry them separately.
Towels are made of a different fabric than clothes and tend to be much thicker. As a result, they require more time to dry. If you try to dry them together with your clothes, it will take much longer for your clothes to dry completely, and that obviously isn’t ideal.
Plus, drying towels and clothes together increases the chances of your clothes picking up lint from the towels. You see, towels are notorious for shedding lint, and that lint can easily transfer to your clothes – making them look old and worn-out. Hence, if you want to keep your clothes looking fresh and lint-free, it’s best to give them their own cycle in the dryer.
Lastly, clothes will also come out of the dryer very wrinkled. That’s because the towels will take up most of the space in the dryer, leaving little room for the clothes to move around, and that will cause them to wrinkle. So, for your clothes to come out of the dryer looking neat and presentable, you’d rather dry them separately from the towels.
Can You Dry Bleached Clothes With Colors?
No, you should not dry bleached clothes with colors. Drying them together will cause the color from the colored clothes to bleed onto the bleached clothes. As a result, your bleached clothes will no longer be their original color.
You see, bleached clothes are usually made very light in color. And when they come in contact with colored clothes, the color from the latter can easily transfer to the former. So, if you’re not careful, you may end up with a lot of ruined clothes.
To avoid such a catastrophe, it’s always best to dry your bleached clothes and colored clothes separately. That way, you can be sure that the colors will not bleed and ruin your clothes.
What are Considered Dark Colors and White Colors for Laundry?
For laundry, dark colors are usually considered black, navy, red, dark purple, black, and other very dark colors. As for whites, they are precisely what the name says – white. That includes anything in white, from t-shirts and shirts to socks and underwear.
One essential part of doing things right in the laundry room is knowing how to separate your clothes properly. After all, you wouldn’t want to end up with a load of ruined clothes just because you didn’t know how to separate them correctly.
And to save you the trouble, we’ve put together a quick guide on correctly separating your clothes for laundry.
- Dark Colors: They include anything coming in black, dark purple, orange, burgundy, brown, navy, red, and other very dark colors.
- White Colors: These are strictly for white – no exceptions.
- Lights Colors: They include light purple, light blue, light green, periwinkle, lavender, mauve, yellow, powder blue, and other pastel-type colors.
- Jeans: These include denim jeans of any color.
Final Verdict
Lights and darks should never mix, whether in the washer or dryer. Otherwise, you risk compromising the quality and longevity of your clothes. So, always take the time to sort your clothes before doing laundry properly. It may take a few of your minutes, but it will save you a lot of time, effort, and even money in the long run.