How to Sort Laundry: The Simple Guide to Sorting Clothes for Washing

Sorting laundry before washing prevents color bleeding, protects delicate fabrics, and ensures each load gets the right wash settings. It takes 5 minutes and saves you from ruined clothes. Here's how to sort laundry quickly and correctly.

Step 1: Sort by Color

This is the most important sort — it prevents dye transfer.

• Whites: White t-shirts, underwear, socks, towels, sheets. These get washed in hot water with bleach or brightener.
• Lights / Pastels: Light blue, pink, yellow, beige, light gray. Wash warm or cold.
• Darks: Black, navy, dark gray, dark green, brown. Wash cold to prevent fading.
• Reds / Brights: Red, orange, bright purple. These bleed the most — wash separately, especially when new. Cold water only.

Step 2: Sort by Fabric Weight

Heavy fabrics and lightweight fabrics don't wash or dry well together:

• Heavyweights: Jeans, towels, sweatshirts, jackets — normal or heavy-duty cycle
• Lightweights: T-shirts, dress shirts, blouses, underwear — normal cycle
• Delicates: Silk, lace, lingerie, anything labeled "gentle" — gentle cycle or hand wash. Use a mesh bag.

Check the care label for specific instructions. Our laundry symbols guide explains every label symbol.

Step 3: Sort by Soil Level

Heavily soiled items (grass-stained sports clothes, muddy work clothes) should be washed separately from lightly worn items. Heavy soil can transfer to cleaner clothes during the wash cycle.

Pre-treat stains before sorting into the wash pile. See our stain removal guide for specific stain types.

Quick Sorting Cheat Sheet

For most households, you need just 3 to 4 loads:

1. Whites — hot water, bleach OK
2. Darks — cold water, inside out
3. Colors / lights — warm or cold water
4. Delicates / special — cold water, gentle cycle, mesh bags

Sort at home before heading to the laundromat — it saves time and folding table space. Good sorting is part of good laundromat etiquette.