How to Sort Your Laundry. Ensure crisp colors and fabric freshness by sorting your laundry according to each item's fabric, color and sturdiness.
Inspect clothes for stains, and sort out the clothes that need to be presoaked.
Separate whites from colors. Within the colored laundry, separate light colors from darker colors.
Separate lint generators (towels, sweatshirts, chenille, flannel) from lint magnets (corduroy, velvets and permanent-press clothes).
Wash delicates, such as loose knits and laces, separately.
Tip
As you sort, close zippers to prevent snagging, and empty pockets (nothing like soggy facial tissue in the washer!).
Warning
Remember that some fabrics should only be dry-cleaned. Others, such as lingerie, are best hand-washed in the sink. Check care labels to be sure.