Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is separating laundry colours dated practice?

211 replies

willywallaby · 18/09/2024 20:26

When I moved out and started doing my own laundry I separated light and dark colours but then gradually I stopped doing it when I realised nothing bad ever happened if I mixed everything together. For most of my life though I've been quite careful about keeping brand new dark items away from white items until they'd been washed a few times. A few months ago I accidentally washed a new red t-shirt in with some white things and they stayed white. And we got some new dark things recently and because of the experience with the red t-shirt I didn't separate anything and still everything is fine. Have dyes modernised or something so that they don't run and you don't actually have to do this anymore?

OP posts:
pretalmondcroissants · 18/09/2024 20:33

I’m afraid to mix! I do whites, lights, darks, reds/pinks, delicates, towels and bedding washes.

No wonder my machine seems to be constantly on.

Raggydollz · 18/09/2024 20:32

Yes clothes don't seem to run like that used to.. it's weird

Ohmycarrots · 18/09/2024 20:32

I always seperate colours and use an oxy powder on the lighter colours to keep them looking good. I grew up with my mother turning everything one colour!

BananaSpanner · 18/09/2024 20:32

I always separate whites/lights and darks/colours. I definitely think that whites go a grubby off-white over time if you don’t. You can see evidence of it in kids white polo shirts.

DinosaurMunch · 18/09/2024 20:31

I don't separate things but I avoid white because it does go grey eventually. Not after one or 2 washes though. I would wash brand new dark cotton separately though. Although rarely buy anything new!

Sameshitdifferentdayx · 18/09/2024 20:31

I do whites, darks, bedding, towels.

Screamingabdabz · 18/09/2024 20:30

You’ve got to keep white separate otherwise they look grubby.

Frieda2024 · 18/09/2024 20:30

Not sure but I do think whites get a bit dingier if not done by themselves. Nothing major but not so brilliantly white as if they are fine by themselves. I occasionally put everything in together and wash at 30 with a colour catcher and it’s all ok. But noticed DD’s white cami too definitely looked faded.

kenidorm · 18/09/2024 20:29

All my neighbours pale/white items look grubby grey so I assume over time mixing them does affect the colour. I always separate lights/darks/reds&pinks/whites/towels.

TheShellBeach · 18/09/2024 20:29

Whites, lights, jumpers, dark clothes.

And bedding also goes separately.

Sirzy · 18/09/2024 20:27

I do one white wash a week mainly for DS school shirts and my work tops.

the rest gets done together

Swipe left for the next trending thread