Washing all your clothes together can be a quick solution but not a great idea if you want the clothes to stay intact, nice, and clean. There are some important factors to consider to avoid damage and to ensure that the clothes get clean:
1. Sorting by color
- Dark colors: Wash dark clothes (like black, dark blue, dark red) together to prevent colors from fading or transferring to lighter garments.
- Light colors: Wash light-colored clothes (like beige, pastel colors) separately to avoid discoloration.
- Red and brightly colored clothes: These garments can bleed color, especially if they are new, so it's best to wash them separately the first few times.
- White laundry is ALWAYS washed with only other white clothes.
2. Material
- Cotton, synthetic, wool, and silk: These materials should be washed according to specific instructions. For example, cotton can withstand higher temperatures, while wool and silk should be washed gently and in cold water.
- Heavy and light garments: Heavy garments like jeans or towels can damage or wear out lighter and finer garments if washed together.
- Turn garments with zippers, buttons, and other "sharp" items inside out to prevent them from snagging other clothes.
3. Washing temperature
- Hot water (60 degrees): Used for towels, bed linens, and sometimes underwear.
- Cold water (20-30-40 degrees): Suitable for most garments, especially delicate materials or garments that are prone to shrinking or bleeding color.
4. Detergent and fabric softener
- Use detergent that is suitable for both colored and white clothes, All-purpose detergent. Avoid fabric softener, especially for sportswear and garments with elastane, as it can damage the elastane's elasticity. With All-purpose detergent, fabric softener is not needed.
Conclusion
It is possible to wash clothes together if you consider color, material, and temperature. However, to prolong the life of your clothes and avoid damage or discoloration, it is best to sort the laundry into different piles according to these criteria.
1. Can I wash all my clothes together?
Answer: -yes, but it will most likely give a worse result than if you separate the laundry.
Answer: It will make your white clothes gray.
Answer: All striped/clothes with light and dark areas should, before the first wash, be placed in a water bath with cold water and a couple of tablespoons of vinegar to fix the colors. After that, wash separately; after a first wash, striped clothes can be washed together with other striped clothes.
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