When doing laundry, one of the most common questions is what colors can be washed together without the risk of colors bleeding or running. The general rule of thumb is to separate lights from darks, but there are also other factors to consider when deciding what to wash together such as water temperature, items materials, and types of dyes used. Follow these tips to keep your laundry looking bright and new for as long as possible.
Sort by Color
The first step is always sorting your clothes by color. There are a few main color categories to separate:
- Whites
- Lights
- Dark colors
- Bright colors
Whites should always be washed separately from colored items to prevent discoloration. Any non-white items that are light colored such as pastels, tan, light grey, etc. can be washed together in a lights load. Darker colors like black, navy blue, brown, forest green can go together in a darks pile. Bright colors including red, purple, orange, yellow, or hot pink have the most potential to bleed and should be washed with similar brights.
Water Temperature
Water temperature plays a key role in preventing colors from bleeding in the wash. Hot water increases the chance of dyes spreading from one garment to another, while colder water reduces bleeding. Here are some temperature guidelines for common laundry loads:
- Whites- Wash in hot water to fully remove stains and disinfect
- Lights- Wash in warm or cold water to prevent fading
- Darks- Wash in cold water to keep dark hues vibrant
- Bright Colors- Wash in cold water to prevent bleeding onto other items
When washing a mixed load of clothes, opt for cold water to safely wash all colors together. Adding a color catcher sheet can also help stop dyes from transferring between clothing.
Fabric Type
Certain fabrics are more prone to bleeding and running than others when washed. Natural fibers like cotton, wool, silk and linen absorb and release dye during laundering, while synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon hold onto color better. Here are some guidelines for washing common fabric types:
- Cotton- Wash dark cottons separately from lights and whites
- Wool- Wash woolens separately to prevent damage from agitation
- Silk- Handwash silks separately to prevent snagging
- Synthetics- Can wash synthetic fabrics together without bleeding
Whenever washing a load with multiple fabric types, opt for cooler water and gentler detergents to prevent bleeding between fibers. Adding salt to the wash water can also help block dyes from transferring.
New Clothes
Brand new brightly colored clothing often contains excess dye that can easily bleed when washed. To prevent your other laundry from being ruined, wash any new garments separately for the first 2-3 washes. Here are some tips for washing new clothes:
- Wash in cold water
- Use a color catcher sheet
- Wash dark new clothes separately from lights and whites
- Add salt or vinegar to the wash water
- Check clothes for excess dye before drying
Also avoid washing brand new dark denim jeans with other clothes, as they have a high potential for color transfer. Over time after several washes, new clothes will retain color better and can be added to your regular laundry loads.
Dye Types
The specific dyes used to color clothing also determine the chance of bleeding in the wash. Pigment dyes are bonded to fabric fibers and do not bleed easily. On the other hand, vat dyes, direct dyes, and sulfur dyes are more water soluble and prone to run. Here is how common dye types react to laundering:
- Pigment dyes- Do not bleed
- Vat dyes- Moderate bleeding
- Direct dyes- High bleeding
- Sulfur dyes- High bleeding
- Reactive dyes- Low bleeding when washed properly
Clothing with highly water soluble dyes like those found on most linens, silks, and synthetics should be washed separately or in cold water to prevent colors from running onto other laundry items during washing.
Laundry Additives
There are a few products that can be added to the washing machine to help prevent excess dye bleeding when washing colors together:
- Color catcher sheets– These absorb loose dye released in the wash water before it can redeposit onto other clothes
- Salt– Salt helps block dyes from transferring between fabrics by absorbing the dye molecules
- Vinegar– An acidic rinse with white vinegar helps seal fabric dyes in place
For best results, use these additives in cold or cool water washes. They help prevent colors from running when you need to mix and match fabrics or dye types in one load.
Wash and Dry Properly
No matter what colors you are washing together, following good laundry practices helps prevent bleeding and fading:
- Shake out dirt and stains before washing
- Use a gentle, high efficiency detergent
- Wash in cool or cold water
- Rinse items thoroughly after washing
- Air dry when possible to prevent heat damage
- If machine drying, use a low heat setting
Being cautious when washing and drying can keep your bright whites and dark colors looking their best through many laundry cycles.
When to Wash Colors Separately
As a general rule of thumb, these clothing items should always be washed separately to prevent color bleeding and fading:
- White fabrics
- New brightly colored clothing
- Dark cottons and linens
- Bright reds, oranges, pinks, yellows
- Dark denim jeans
- Fuzzy vibrant patterned fabrics
However, similar dark neutral tones and pastels can be safely washed together in cold water. Simply inspect clothing before washing and use best judgement.
Conclusion
By properly sorting colors, choosing cool water temperatures, watching for bleeding dyes, and taking additional precautions, you can feel confident washing a mixed load of laundry without ending up with pink socks or grayed out shirts. Just separate true whites, new clothes, and extremely vibrant shades that are known to bleed. Then group the remaining lights, darks, and brights according to similarity of color and material. Add laundry aids as needed, wash gently in cold water, and avoid over drying to keep your clothing looking colorful and fresh.
| Color Group | What to Wash Together | Wash Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Whites | White clothing and linens | Hot water, bleach as needed |
| Lights | Pastels, tans, light grey, non-white | Warm or cold water |
| Darks | Black, navy, brown, dark green | Cold water |
| Bright Colors | Red, purple, orange, yellow, pink | Cold water, color catchers |
