Sort by color into whites, lights, and darks

Separate clothes into three groups before washing: whites, lights (pastels, grays, beiges), and darks (black, navy, red, brown). Washing each group separately prevents dye transfer from darker fabrics onto lighter ones.

Why It Works

Fabric dyes, especially in new garments, release excess color during washing. Dark and bright dyes migrate to lighter fabrics through the wash water, causing permanent discoloration. White fabrics are especially vulnerable because any absorbed dye shows immediately.

Tips

• Wash new brightly colored items separately for the first 2-3 washes until excess dye rinses out
• When in doubt, wash an item with darks rather than risking stains on lighter clothes
• Red items are particularly prone to dye bleeding — always wash them with darks