Do you mix your washing together?

[Flyingoutofcontrol]

This is kindof an AIBU, but I'm far too chicken to put this in there, but I want an opinion if I'm being unreasonable or a bit weird or possibly both!

So, I was talking about housework with a friend, and I mentioned that I feel much better with a more or less empty washing basket, so usually do a load every day or two (depending on what's been worn) for DS and I, and a separate load for DS as I don't like using fabric conditioner on his clothes.

So far, we're in agreement and no problems. Now, usually, I do a separate undies wash as again I don't like conditioner on my knickers, but I have been known (if going away for a weekend or requiring my control pants ) to bung my undies in with the normal load of washing so that I can have the stuff I need or have an empty basket ready for a huge load when we get back.

My friend was very and about this, and basically said that it was a bit minging to do this - but she couldn't really explain why.

So, AIBU to mix my washing on occasion? Is this slattern territory and will I be shunned ever more for admitting this?!

I do pure whites, pastels and then darks. I wash bedding every weekend with towels, which usually takes three loads anyway. In the week it's a load every other day or so. But I don't separate clothing items specifically.

I do wash dds clothes separately if she has an accident as I don't want her wee all over everything. This is few and far between though.

Whites - includes all towels and bedding at 60
Rest is separated into light & dark colours - no separation by type. I don't buy anything "delicate" ;)

I shove it all in together too - and never had any problems. Only time I ever do a "dark" wash is for new never washed bright/dark coloured stuff (if I remember)

Towel wash
bedding wash
white wash
lights wash (school shirt, t shirts)
dark wash (socks, dark undies, jeans, pj's)

Blimey.

All in one, apart from teatowels which seem to disappear when my mum comes round and then come back all clean and ironed I was separately.

...wash separately...

Whites and everything else - towels/bedlinen go in either depending on their colour and where there is space.

Wasn't there a Mumsnetter who had at least ten different categories for her washing machine once ?

In theory, anything that might have faeces on it (underwear, bath towels), should be separated from anything going near food or face (tea towels and face towels).

In practice, with bio washing powders, hot washes, etc, most people in developed countries get away with not bothering.

But if you're handwashing or your household gets some hideous D&V bug, definitely a good idea to separate.

does a tumble drier get hot enough to kill bugs?

I do knickers with towels, cloths, flannels and teatowels - anything that doesn't need softner and goes on a hot wash.

Only started recently though. Also do - black/navy wash, whites wash, pale coloured wash and wool wash.

a quick google gave me 140 to 180 degrees (celsius) in the tumble dryer.

I had never thought of the tumble dryer being hot enough to kill bugs before!

Does that mean I never have to do a 60degree wash, if its going in the tumble dryer anyway?

I'm very impressed with people's laundry organisation.

I am wondering about the "killing bugs" thing though - do you guys chew your towels? Or have particularly bacteria-laden skin? It would never occur to me that clothes would carry bugs, especially not if they've been washed

luke yes, but only for maintainance of the washing mashine

mousy - so how often do you need to do a hot wash to 'wash' the washing machine? I've never known about all this stuff....

CailinDana - I think the killing bugs thing is really only necessary for bedding (eg think bed bugs for those who are allergic to them or suffer from asthma). Or maybe really awful toddler nappy explosions.

once a month at least. I wash towels at 60 and that is maintainance + hot wash in one (no dryer here)

Ah, OK, thanks. I think I need to do it more often then!

Is there any real benefit to using fabric softener?

Ragwort - we stopped using it when dd1's eczema was bad, and I haven't noticed the difference in the clothes. We have got a tumble dryer though, which makes the clothes lovely and soft. Without it I think they would be a little crunchy.

Rag the smell (if you like it). I don't think it really makes clothes softer (at least not in our hard water area) and might even increase the fire risk on some garments.

Never got it myself Ragwort. Think it is horrible, artificially scented slimey stuff that coats the fabric of the clothes in a way that is not good for them.

We use the Ecover conditioner which doesn't leave an awful smell and does help clothes be less crunchy (VERY hard water here). Don't use it on towels though.

For the record I do these washes seperately: whites, darks, brights, towels (at 60), bedding (at 60) and the occasional wool/delicates wash