Do You Have to Separate Lights and Darks When Washing Clothes?: 1 Minute to Understanding Laundry Basics

When it comes to laundry, one of the most common pieces of advice is to separate lights and darks before washing. Why is this recommended, and is it absolutely necessary? The answer depends on the type of fabrics, the colors involved, and your priorities—whether it's convenience, fabric longevity, or color vibrancy. Washing lights and darks together can sometimes lead to color transfer, where darker dyes bleed onto lighter fabrics, resulting in dull or stained clothing. This is especially true for new garments and high-temperature washes. To maintain the integrity of your clothes, most textile and laundry experts still suggest sorting your laundry by color: keep whites and very light pastels in one load, and wash darks and bright colors separately.

As a designer, I always encourage my clients to think beyond just preserving fabric—effective laundry routines play a role in the overall atmosphere and look of your home. Clean, vibrant textiles uplift a room's style. If you’re investing in beautiful linens or unique fabrics as part of your home’s aesthetic, protecting their color and quality is essential. That’s why, just as you carefully coordinate your color palettes in interior design, you should be methodical about color grouping for laundry, ensuring your home’s textiles remain crisp and coordinated over time.

Tips 1:

Use cold water for washing mixed loads if you must combine colors—it helps prevent dye transfer. Turn garments inside out to further protect their surfaces from fading and abrasion, and always read care labels.

FAQ

Q: What happens if I don't separate lights and darks?

A: Colors from darker fabrics might bleed onto lighter items, resulting in stains or color dulling.

Q: Can I wash lights and darks together with cold water?

A: Cold water reduces the risk of color transfer, but it doesn’t eliminate it—especially with new or non-colorfast clothing.

Q: Are there any laundry products that prevent color bleeding?

A: Color-catching sheets or detergents for mixed loads can help, but they aren't foolproof. Separation is still safest.

Q: How can I tell if a garment will bleed color?

A: New, brightly colored clothes often bleed. Check by wetting a small hidden area and blotting with a white cloth.

Q: Is it okay to combine prints and solids?

A: As long as they are in the same color family and washed in cold water, combining is generally safe—but always err on the side of caution with valuable fabrics.