Can You Dry Lights and Darks Together?: A Quick Guide to Safe Laundry Practices

Yes, you can technically dry lights and darks together, but it’s not recommended if you want to maintain the vividness of your clothes. Mixing light and dark colors in the dryer increases the risk of color transfer — those dark fabrics might bleed onto your lighter ones, especially if they haven’t been washed many times before. In addition, different fabrics may have varied drying times: towels tend to take longer, while thinner shirts or dresses finish more quickly, which can result in some clothes overdrying (and shrinking!) while others don’t dry completely. As a designer, I’m always thinking about practical aesthetics and how daily choices affect the longevity of your home and belongings. One solution I often suggest is to install dual hampers in the laundry zone. This allows you to effortlessly sort and treat light and dark clothing separately, creating a visually pleasing and more efficient workflow in the space. When planning a laundry makeover, consider integrating flexible storage or consulting an online home designer to visualize options for optimized sorting, drying, and organization—all tailored to your routine.

Tips 1:

If you absolutely must dry lights and darks together, make sure all items are colorfast—wash them separately once or twice before combining. Use a low heat setting and remove lighter clothes early to prevent over-drying.

FAQ

Q: Will dark clothes always bleed onto light ones in the dryer?

A: Not always, but there is a risk, especially with new clothes or those made from unstable dyes. Pre-washing helps reduce this.

Q: How can I be sure my clothes won’t bleed?

A: Always check the tags for washing instructions and test colorfastness by wetting a small, hidden area with warm water.

Q: Does mixing lights and darks affect drying time?

A: Yes, heavier and darker fabrics often need more drying time; lighter clothes can overdry and shrink if dried together.

Q: Should I use dryer sheets when mixing lights and darks?

A: You can, but they won’t prevent color bleeding. Their main benefit is reducing static cling.

Q: Why do designers care about laundry routines?

A: Efficient laundry routines support your home’s organization, preserve your clothes, and make the laundry space more beautiful and usable over time.