The Joys of Clean Laundry

LIGHTS & DARKS

Separating light clothing from dark clothing is not just a myth! The dyes used in our darker clothing (jeans, dark tee shirts, yoga pants, denim jackets, etc) will leech out of the fabric and into the water as they are washed. Any other clothing in the washing basin as the dye leeches will take absorb the dye and can become permanently altered in color. The type of fabric matters too. Natural fibers such as cotton, linen and silk will often leech more of their dye into the water they are washed. This is because they are more porous and the dyes can’t attach as permanently to the fibers. To avoid leeching dye damaging other clothing we do a few things. First, we always separate our dark clothing from our light clothing and wash them in different loads.

Next, if you have dark clothing that is brand new, always wash that garment once by itself. The first wash will release the most dye from the garment. Also, water temperature matters. Hot water washing will wear down almost every type of fabric faster than cold water washing. Additionally, hot water relaxes the fibers of your clothing and will cause more of the dye to bleed out. This can also result in loss of color vibrancy & an overall more “worn” appearance. Many modern laundry detergents are now just as effective in cold water as they are in hot water. Plus, there are energy & cost savings with washing in cold water. We are a firm believer in only cold & warm water washes.

DELICATES

Many of our undergarments and more fragile clothing are some of the most expensive items of clothing we own. As such, they require extra care when washing. Most washing machines have a “delicates” setting which automatically adjusts to low agitation & cold-water temperature for the most tender machine wash possible. While the washing machine will do it’s best to treat delicate items, fabrics and embellishments with care, we also recommend using a mesh laundry bag when washing. This will provide an extra layer of protection against the inner workings of the washing machine & other clothes in the load. Using a milder laundry detergent is also a good idea to ensure fewer harsh chemicals coming into contact with more delicate fabrics.

BATH LINENS

Bath towels, hand towel and wash cloths are some of the most personal and germ-prone laundry items in our home. We use them to keep all areas of our bodies clean and to remove sweat, dead skin cells & other lurking bacteria from all over our bodies. Even when we step out of the shower, our bath towels are still removing and absorbing skin cells and germs. All bath linens should be washed a minimum of every other use. Since towels are thicker & bulkier, we recommend using a warm water wash with regular detergent. If you washing machine has “towels” setting, use it. It will use sensory technology to ensure the load stays balanced for spinning. Heavy towels have a way of bunching up during washing and causing an unbalanced load which can be problematic during the spin cycle. Some machines will also add a “pre soak” feature which helps the fibers release any shampoo, soap or conditioner residue that may build up.