Doing laundry can be a delicate balancing act when it comes to keeping whites looking bright and colors from running or fading. Many people wonder if it’s safe to wash whites and colors together, especially when using bleach. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of washing whites with colors and provide tips for getting the best results.
The Risks of Washing Whites and Colors Together
There are a few potential issues that can arise from washing white and colored clothing together:
- Colors bleeding or running onto the whites
- Whites becoming dingy or grayish over time
- Dark cottons and linens transferring color to light fabrics
- Fading of bright or deep colors
These problems occur because the dyes used for brightly colored clothing are often not colorfast. This means the dye can be loosened by water, detergent, and agitation in the wash and end up staining other fabrics. The degree of color loss depends on the specific dyes and fabrics used.
Natural fibers like cotton and linen tend to be more prone to dye transfer issues. Synthetic fibers like polyester often hold color better. However, no fabric is completely immune.
What About Adding Bleach?
Adding bleach when washing whites and colors together exacerbates the potential for color loss and dye transfer. Bleach works by oxidizing and breaking down dye molecules. While this helps remove stains on whites, it also makes the dyes more likely to run.
Chlorine bleach is the harshest type for dyes. On the other hand, oxygen bleach (like sodium percarbonate) is less damaging to colors. But any type of bleach can contribute to fading over time with repeated washings.
Tips for Washing Whites and Colors Together
If you need to mix white and colored items, here are some tips to help protect your clothes:
- Wash with cold water. Hot water facilitates more dye transfer.
- Use a gentle, high-efficiency (HE) detergent. Avoid versions with bleach alternative added.
- Wash similar colors together – lights with lights, darks with darks.
- Wash newer, darker items separately the first several times.
- Turn items inside out to minimize rubbing and agitation.
- Avoid overloading the machine, which packs items too tightly.
You can also use color catchers (like Shout or Carbona) that are designed to attract loose dyes in the wash water before they can redeposit on fabrics.
Should You Use Bleach When Washing Whites and Colors?
In general, it’s best to avoid using bleach when washing colored fabrics. The oxidizing effects of bleach will accelerate color fading over time.
There are a few instances where you may decide to use bleach with mixed laundry:
- Using an oxygen bleach on sturdy, colorfast fabrics.
- Adding 1/4 cup chlorine bleach to a large load of whites and darks.
- Spot bleaching stained white items then rinsing before washing.
But these should be occasional, carefully tested uses. Overall, bleach is safer reserved for white loads only.
Effect of Water Temperature on Bleach
| Water Temperature | Effect on Bleach |
|---|---|
| Hot Water (120°F +) | Increases bleach efficiency and may cause faster fading of colors |
| Warm Water (80-100°F) | Enables moderate bleaching; less damaging to dyes |
| Cold Water (60-75°F) | Slows bleaching reaction and minimizes color loss |
As shown in the table, hot water accelerates the chemical reaction between bleach and fabric. This makes it more effective at removing stains but also increases fading of colors. Warm or cold water provides a gentler bleach reaction.
Using Color-Safe Bleach
Oxygen bleach products, like OxiClean or Clorox 2, are sometimes marketed as “color-safe bleaches.” They use hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate as active ingredients instead of chlorine bleach.
The key advantages of oxygen bleach:
- Does not breakdown dyes as aggressively as chlorine bleach.
- Safer for colors but still removes some stains on whites.
- Effective cleaning boost for lower temperature washes.
However, oxygen bleaches are less powerful stain removers compared to chlorine bleach. They may also contribute to gradual fading over time with repeated use.
When to Wash Whites Separately
For best results, whites should be washed separately from colors in most situations. Here are some laundry loads where separate washing is recommended:
| Fabrics | Wash Separately? |
|---|---|
| New colored items | Yes |
| Whites | Yes |
| Dark colors | Preferable |
| Bright prints/patterns | Preferable |
| Red clothes | Yes |
| Delicates and lace | Yes |
As noted, brightly colored items and dark fabrics have the highest tendency to bleed or transfer dye. Whites should always be washed alone with bleach to prevent graying.
Tips for Washing Whites
Here are some recommendations for washing white laundry:
- Shake out dirt and stains before washing.
- Pre-treat heavily soiled areas with stain remover or bar soap.
- Wash in hot or warm water to sanitize and remove body soil.
- Use a detergent with bleach alternative for a brighter wash.
- Add liquid chlorine bleach to remove stubborn stains and disinfect.
- Use the soak or pre-wash cycle with bleach for heavily soiled whites.
- Air dry in sunlight to further disinfect and brighten.
With whites, higher water temperatures along with bleach are ideal for maximum cleaning and whitening ability. Sunlight also naturally bleaches and disinfects fabrics.
When to Wash Colors Separately
As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to wash brightly colored fabrics separately from paler colors. Here are some examples:
| Wash Separately | Okay to Wash Together |
|---|---|
| Bright reds, blues, greens | Pale pastels, neutrals |
| Deep jewel tones | Muted earth tones |
| Blacks | Grays, tans |
| Dark denim | Light denim |
| Prints and patterns | Solid colors |
The more contrast there is between two colors, the more likely bleeding will occur. For brights and darks, it’s safest to wash them separately.
Best Practices for Washing Colors
Follow these tips when washing colored clothing:
- Check labels and separate by color family.
- Wash in cool or cold water to prevent fading.
- Use a gentle, high-efficiency detergent.
- Choose the delicate or hand wash cycle.
- Air or line dry instead of machine drying.
- Use color catchers to prevent dye transfer.
- Spot treat stains prior to washing.
Taking extra care when laundering colored fabrics will help preserve the vibrancy of the dyes. Avoiding bleach is also imperative for maintaining true, rich tones.
Considerations for Children’s Clothing
Kids’ clothing often has bright prints and patterns that are prone to bleeding and running. Here are some laundering tips for children’s items:
- Wash new printed clothes several times alone first.
- Group lights and darks when sorting clothes.
- Use color catchers in every load.
- Choose a detergent for sensitive skin.
- Wash and rinse in cold water.
- Air dry when possible.
- Use an oxygen bleach boost on whites only.
- Spot clean stains with diluted oxygen bleach.
Being cautious about mixing brights, using gentle cycles, and air drying can help kids’ clothes maintain their vibrancy. Oxygen bleaches are also safer alternatives for occasional use.
When to Use Fabric Bleach
As discussed, chlorine bleach has downsides when used too frequently on fabrics. However, it can be useful in certain circumstances:
| Good Uses for Fabric Bleach | Avoid Using Fabric Bleach |
|---|---|
| Whites and colorfast fabrics only | Brightly colored fabrics |
| Occasional stain removal | Every laundry load |
| Disinfecting bedding | Delicates like silk, wool, spandex |
| Soaking heavily soiled items | New dark cotton items |
| Whitening dingy fabric | Frequently bleaching the same items |
Targeted bleaching for stain removal or sanitization can be helpful. But excessive, repeated use will accelerate fabric wear and tear over time.
Conclusion
While washing whites and colors together does carry risks, there are steps you can take to minimize potential dye transfer and color fading issues. Strategies like washing in cold water, using color catchers, and air drying can help colors stay truer. But for best results, heavily soiled whites and brightly colored fabrics should be washed separately. If you need to use bleach, reserve it only for white fabrics and use occasional spot bleaching when washing mixed colors. With some caution and sorting, you can wash whites and colors together without ruining your favorite items.