How to Do Laundry

Do I really have to separate colors when I do laundry? Generally, I toss laundry in and wash in cold. The process is easy, but the results are mixed at best.

Now The New York Times weighs in and it turns out that separating colors before washing really does make a difference. Cheryl Mendelson, author of “Laundry: The Home Comforts Book of Caring for Clothes and Linens," shares her tips for keeping clothes looking bright. Don't ask me how she managed to write a 416 page book about doing laundry! Seems my time might be better spent by doing laundry rather than reading about it.

Keeping like-colored clothing together maintains its brightness, Ms. Mendelson said. She recommends separating clothes into five categories: whites; lights and almost-whites (yellows and whites with prints); brights (reds, oranges and light blues); darks (purples and blues); and blacks and browns.

Sot now I'll feel guilty when I don't sort by color. Maybe my family will just have to accept their drab clothing.

Read the article for yourself.

How many of you separate your laundry before washing? And what do you do about plaids?