Whether at the laundromat or at home, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to prep your clothing. Colored garments, in particular, need special care to ensure their colors stay vibrant and their fibers strong. The guide below offers advice for extending the life span of your wardrobe. 

Do:

Sort laundry by color.

Since bright-colored clothing can transfer their dye in the wash, it is best to wash similar shades together. For example, reds, pinks, and oranges can likely go in the same load—while blues, purples, and other cool tones can get washed together.

Turn clothes inside out.

The rigorous movement inside the washing machine—combined with high water pressure—gets your clothes clean, but can also agitate the fabric. This can “scrub” the color from your clothes and can be especially harsh on designs. To avoid this, turn your clothes inside out.

Don’t:

Forget to get the right detergent.

Some detergents are made for colored clothes, so look at their labels before purchase. Use liquid instead of powder since powder can cling to fabrics and impact the color. This is because, when it doesn’t dissolve completely, it results in streaks that cause the natural dye to fade after it dissipates.

Since the chemicals in liquid detergent may also fade dyes if applied too heavily, use only a half a cup or less per load.

Use hot water.

Conventional wisdom would say hot water cleans better than cold. However, while hot water does remove dirt and grime, it also loosens up the fibers in clothing, causing the color to run out of it and bleed onto other articles. Some laundromat washers come with settings specifically made for colored clothes for this reason.

Looking for a laundromat in Lincoln, NE? Choose City Laundry. This self-service laundry facility has large capacity washers and dryers to handle all your needs. Visit them online to learn more about their affordable and convenient services. Call them at (402) 483-2113 with questions.