what colours not to mix in washing machine

What Colors Not to Mix in Washing Machine and Why

Have you ever washed a red shirt with your white clothes and ended up with pink clothing? Or have you thrown in a dark blue shirt in with your light-colored clothes and saw the whites turning baby blue? These are some of the common laundry mishaps that can happen when you mix the wrong color clothes in the washing machine. In this article, well take a closer look at what colors not to mix in the washing machine and why.

1. Why is it important not to mix colors in the washing machine?

The washing machine is not just a simple appliance that you can use to clean your clothes. It uses detergent, water, and friction to remove dirt and grime from fabric fibers. However, if you mix colors together, they can bleed onto one another and ruin your clothes. Youll end up with faded colors, stains, and even irreversible dyes that cant be removed.

2. What colors should not mix in the washing machine?

The general rule of thumb is to separate your clothes into three piles by color: whites, lights, and darks. Whites are the easiest to wash since they dont bleed, but they get dirty quickly. Lights are your pastel and muted colors like pinks, yellows, and blues. Darks are your black, navy, and other deep colors.

Whites: Should only be washed with other white clothing. Any other colors will bleed onto the whites and they will no longer be white.

Lights: These colors can be washed together, but its best to keep similar colors together. Mixing bright colors with pastels can lead to color bleeding.

Darks: These colors should be washed separately from lights and whites to avoid bleeding.

3. What specific colors should not be washed together in the washing machine?

There are a few specific color combinations that should never be washed together.

Red and white: Red is notorious for bleeding, and if its washed with white clothing, the white will turn pink.

Black and light colors: If you wash black clothing with light-colored clothing, it can leave behind black dye stains that wont come out.

Dark denim and light colors: Dark denim can also stain lighter clothing with its dye.

4. How can you prevent color bleeding in the washing machine?

Preventing color bleeding starts before you even turn on your washing machine. Here are a few things you can do to prevent color bleeding in your laundry:

Always check the care label: The care label on your clothing will give you instructions on how to wash and dry the garment. This can include the temperature of the water, whether it should be washed with like colors, and whether it can go in the dryer.

Use cold water: Hot water can cause color bleeding, especially with bright and vivid colors. Cold water will help to preserve the colors of your clothing.

Separate by color: As mentioned earlier, separating your clothes by color is the easiest way to prevent color bleeding.

Use the right detergent: Some detergents will work better with certain fabrics and colors than others. Look for a detergent that is specifically designed for your clothes.

5. What should you do if you accidentally mixed colors in the washing machine?

If you accidentally mixed colors in the washing machine and noticed color bleeding, there are a few things you can do:

Rewash the clothing: If you catch the color bleeding early, you can try rewashing the clothing with a color-safe detergent.

Soak the clothing: If the color bleeding is more severe, you can try soaking the clothing in cold water and white vinegar. This can help to remove some of the dye.

Use a color remover: There are products on the market that are designed to remove dye stains from clothing. These can be effective, but its important to follow the instructions carefully.

In conclusion, washing your clothes correctly may seem simple, but its important to avoid common mistakes like mixing colors in the washing machine. Following the tips in this article can help you avoid color bleeding and keep your clothes looking their best.