Dye Transfer
Clue 1: Many dyes are not stable in bleach containing detergent (see Identifying the right detergent section). Washing them in a detergent containing bleach can lead to colours fading or changing tint.
Clue 2: Other dyes can bleed out of one particular garment into the wash water, especially if the wash temperature used is too hot. Sometimes dyes can bleed even in very cold water.
Delicates
Clue 3: Wools and silks are vulnerable to enzyme attack. These natural fibres are actually proteins and can be damaged by certain enzymes in most conventional detergents. For better care of your delicate items, use a gentle detergent, such as Dreft, which does NOT contain such enzymes.
Remember: mixing whites and coloured garments in the
same wash is a laundry crime even at low temperatures!
Top Tips
Use a partitioned laundry basket to store your laundry as you discard it. It might even encourage kids to keep their rooms tidy!
Expert Tips
If in doubt, test your colour garment for colourfastness - apply warm water to an inconspicuous part (inside of the hem for instance), then press this part with a warm iron between two pieces of white cloth.
To protect your favourite garments try turning them inside out before washing.
e.g.Turning jeans inside-out will prevent whitening of seams and creases due to rubbing.
e.g. Turning woollens and sweatshirts inside-out helps to prevent pilling.