A resentment for laundry day is an almost universal feeling. It's a never-ending, time-consuming, and tiresome chore that we simply cannot skip.
But with all the modern features on washers, how essential is separating garments by lights, colors, and darks? According to laundry experts on this National Laundry Day, (April 15), this is an outdated rule you should stop doing right now.
Saying goodbye to this archaic practice won't magically do your laundry for you. But it will make the process far quicker and easier.
Why Experts Say It's Time to Stop Separating Your Laundry by Color
If you hate sorting clothes for laundry, you'll be delighted to know that, according to Stacee Parker, a leading laundry pro for Poplin, doing so is actually an outdated laundry rule you can break.
'It's the never-ending dread that laundry instills in most people that causes the stress, so the key is to stay on top of it and manage it – before it becomes a daunting task,' she says.
The easiest way to do this? 'Stop stressing about sorting,' she advises. 'Most modern detergents and cool-water cycles can handle mixed loads just fine. Ditch the darks and lights and keep it simple!'
A recent study Poplin conducted of 600 Americans over 25 years old found that 54 per cent of Americans consider laundry to be one of their top stressors or annoyances.
More than 40 per cent of people indicated that doing laundry or the thought of doing laundry makes them anxious or unhappy, with 21 per cent of respondents saying that if they could never do one chore again, it would be laundry, with only toilet scrubbing receiving marginally more votes.
It's so maligned as a household chore that over half of those surveyed said they would happily pay $10 per week to never do laundry again.
Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden, has been mixing her laundry for years. She says, 'The only time I wash anything separately is very pigmented red, blue, or purple clothes, or jeans, for the first few washes after purchasing. After that, they go straight in with whichever low-heat load I'm running. I've never had an accidental pink or gray sock.'
So this National Laundry Day, forget about sorting for a laundry hack to save you both time and stress. It's a surefire way to make laundry easier, and it won't cost you a penny to adopt. It will also save you money on energy bills as you can combine washing and drying sessions instead of needing up to three separate loads.
What to Shop
Whether you're ready to take the plunge on mixing your laundry loads or are a staunch sorter, the right products and accessories guarantee a perfect result. Below, you can shop my edit of the essentials that have been recommended to me by laundry experts time and time again.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
These TIDE pods 'remove the measuring guesswork entirely,' says Stacee. They work to remove stains, fight odors, and protect colors, which is all the more important when mixing loads.
Hang your laundry up in style with this rack from Joseph Joseph. I've had, used, and loved mine for over a year and a half, and I love the way it folds completely flat for convenient storage behind your laundry room door.
This scent-free detergent is perfect if you're sensitive to fragrances or harsh chemicals. It's concentrated enough to last 58 loads, and 100 per cent free of any perfumes or dyes.
This IKEA laundry bag is subtly stylish and functional. It stands upright with a sturdy frame, but is lightweight enough to lift and carry to your laundry room using the included handles.
Simplify the drying process, too, with these handy dryer balls. They reduce drying times by up to 25 per cent, and help to fluff up fabrics and capture lint, loose fibers, and pet hair while reducing static cling.
This lidded laundry hamper is made from woven water hyacinth wicker strands wrapped around a study steel frame, and is handwoven by artisans, with two cut-out handles for easy carrying.
Meet the Expert
So now you know – forgetting about sorting is an easy way to do less laundry.
