How to Wash Colored Clothes in the Washing Machine
Before doing the laundry with colored garments, you need to separate them according to the fabric’s color and texture, choosing the right washing cycle for each one. Light-colored clothing must be separated from dark ones; the worst mistake you can make is to mix brightly-colored garments with light ones.
Colored fabrics, especially new ones, lose some color during the wash cycle, and light-colored fabrics tend to absorb the dye. So let’s see how to wash colored garments in the washing machine.
Heavy items, such as jeans and towels, should be washed on a different cycle than that used for delicate items. Women’s underwear should be treated with a gentle cycle, but if it is impossible to carry out an additional load, it is recommended to put it in a special bag to protect it.
It is also important to read the label on clothes before washing, as some of them can only be dry cleaned. In contrast, others (for example, example woolen garments) require special washing with a specific detergent.
Choose the right setting. The washing machines have different water temperature options and washing modes. Use hot water for particularly soiled light-colored clothes instead of setting cold water for dark clothes whose colors are more likely to fade. Cotton garments always require cold water, as they are subject to shrinkage.
If you are using bleach for whites, it is recommended that you first fill the drum with water one third, then add the bleach and then the detergent. The amount of detergent depends on the size of the load. Always read the instructions on the detergent packaging, as some are very concentrated and require small doses.
Do not use chlorine-based bleaches on colored fabrics; if your washing machine does not have a specific bleach tray, dilute it with water before it comes into contact with your clothes.
Finally, the hardness of the water can affect the use of bleach. It is necessary to test it on a hidden part of the garment. If you want to use a fabric softener, add it during the rinse cycle. If your washing machine has a specific softener dispenser, fill it at the beginning of the wash; the liquid will be released automatically at the right time.
