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White, Light and Dark

(147 Posts)
Mazgg Wed 08-Mar-23 09:48:07

During a light hearted discussion about the old days I was surprised to find that I am in the minority who still sort their washing into these categories. I don't find it difficult - especially now that I have a washing machine with the option of doing a smaller load. I had my babies in the days of terry nappies and got great satisfaction watching a load of brilliant white nappies blowing in the breeze. I was easily pleased!

Cossy Sat 11-Mar-23 11:54:20

I sort my washing between dark and lights still and also delicates and not delicates !

Bazza Sat 11-Mar-23 11:49:22

I only have two piles, light and dark. Works for us.

I know a lot of grans don’t iron stuff, but if anyone is suffering from crispy towels, a quick iron on steam works a treat. I now have a very basic tumble dryer that I only ever use as a last resort, and to finish towels, but in the days of terry nappies I would give them a quick steam iron. Took seconds, although I will admit to not minding ironing, and I’m sure babies bums were grateful.

Yammy Sat 11-Mar-23 11:48:33

Shinamae

I don’t do this and just put a colour catcher sheet in with the wash..

I used to sort them but now into only dark and pale and bedding. I use colour catcher sheets as well you can use them quite a few times if they have been in with pale colours.
I remember white terrys but my machine always kept some water back from the previous wash. One day when preparing to visit MIL I pushed a load in out of the nappy san and ended up with pale pink nappies. The previous wash had been DH sports gear including a dark red top.
When I got to MIL she would not let me hang them on her line as I would show her up. So DH was dispatched for a new set. Luckily we had girls.smile

Amalegra Sat 11-Mar-23 11:48:10

I have always sorted my washing and taught my daughters (and son!) to do the same. Unfortunately they can be rather slapdash about it. I can’t count the number of times I am presented with some off-white article to be rescued, which may or may not be possible! At the moment I have my son’s greyish canvas trainers waiting to be done….

MeowWow Sat 11-Mar-23 11:41:10

I still sort my washing, old habits die hard.

win Sat 11-Mar-23 11:41:01

I have two. separate washing machines/tumble driers combined. One for coloured and one for whites. I found that when tumbling coloured it left deposits regardless how well I wiped it out which discoloured my whites. I have one in the garage for coloured and one in the kitchen for whites. Being an ex-carer for 2 elderly people at the same times it was brilliant with all the bedding.

DeeDe Sat 11-Mar-23 11:38:56

I mostly do lights and whites etc separately
Sometimes I miss the twin tub used to love the smell of the tea towels etc boiling in percil
never seem to get that gorgeous fresh air smell as much nowadays either.

Grantanow Sat 11-Mar-23 11:23:17

I misread the title. I thought this was a thread about how the Tories sorted refugees and asylum seekers (white from Ukraine, light Hong Kong, black Afghanistan and the rest).

Musicgirl Sat 11-Mar-23 11:22:57

I separate lights and darks.

womblekelly Sat 11-Mar-23 11:19:22

Dont bother with colour sorting but do wash sheets and duvet in a separate wash otherwise rverything gets stuck in the duvet cover.

Alison333 Sat 11-Mar-23 11:15:36

We used to use those thin colour catcher ones until they blocked the machine. Lakeland do a nice thick terry one which you just add to the laundry and reuse - it starts off brilliant white and does a fantastic job of absorbing any leaking colours. It lasts a minimum of 30 washes.

Alternatively, an old terry nappy cut into a small square and hemmed might do the job?!

chrissie13 Sat 11-Mar-23 11:10:37

All colours go in together with a colour catcher, never had a problem yet, although I do separate washes for bedding, towels. and ordinary stuff.

NotAGran55 Sat 11-Mar-23 08:39:22

White, dark and delicate hand wash here.

Never used fabric conditioner and hadn’t heard of colour catchers until my so brought some home from university. They are still in the cupboard unused years later.

Line dry until just damp if possible and tumble to finish and soften towels etc.
Mainly wash everything at 30 with the occasional 60 for the whites every now and again.

Grandmabatty Sat 11-Mar-23 08:37:00

Whites
Light coloured clothes
Dark coloured clothes
Woollens
Towels
I live alone so I only need to wash once a week but that's how I do it.

M0nica Sat 11-Mar-23 08:08:39

I have always divided washing into lights and darks - and thats it. One load of each a week. Woollens, when washed are done on 15 minute hand wash.

I prefer heat to harsh chemicals that damage the environment and the skin to make sure things are fully sanitised. I use a soap based detergent and no other washing related products at all.

mumofmadboys Sat 11-Mar-23 08:08:07

When my machine is not in use I leave the drawer open . It stops it moulding. Always put washing powder or liquid straight into drum.
I never understand the logic of washing bedding or towels at higher temperatures as clothes are equally in touch with our bodies.

Bigred18 Sat 11-Mar-23 07:54:06

Cold washes for me, everything in together!

HeavenLeigh Fri 10-Mar-23 23:25:12

I also don’t use fabric conditioner

HeavenLeigh Fri 10-Mar-23 23:24:36

I don’t use colour catcher thin sheets as I’d been told years ago they can cause damage to the washing machine, so I use the Terry towelling type colour catchers which are great much thicker and generally last 30 washes ( think that’s right) I’ve used them for many years

Cabbie21 Thu 09-Mar-23 09:44:22

Light and dark.
Occasionally a dark sock gets mixed up in the lights wash, but there are no ill effects.
Never heard of colour catchers, and thanks to the warnings in here, I won’t bother.
I do a 60degree whites wash about twice a year!
My biggest problem is keeping towels soft. Even with towel softener, they are still stiff. ( I do not have a tumble dryer .)
I tend to alternate between using fabric conditioner, which causes black mould in the drawer, and white vinegar. Neither really helps.

Shinamae Wed 08-Mar-23 22:01:25

Nannagarra

Correction: Shinamae - it’s been a long day….

😁

Nannagarra Wed 08-Mar-23 21:38:48

Correction: Shinamae - it’s been a long day….

Redrobin51 Wed 08-Mar-23 21:37:37

Yes I split them. I do wear quite a bit of white underwear and husband wears white vests so usually have at least one quite large white wash a week. I also use the correct type of powder and have a special liquid for woollens and delicates. My husband never recovered from his gran accidentally putting his only white lab coat in with some red cushion covers turning it a beautiful shade of pink. Unfortunately, some important visitors were visiting the lab where he worked first thing the next morning. I reckon he is still traumatised😁. He still occasionally mentions it 50 years later.

Nannagarra Wed 08-Mar-23 21:35:55

Yet another who thought this was about chocolate. Shucks.
Every day’s a school day on GN with especial thanks to Shiname.

Deedaa Wed 08-Mar-23 21:03:33

I separate into two loads, coloureds and white and pastels. Everything is washed at 30 degrees with a biological detergent. For sheets and underwear I use a laundry disinfectant as well. Nobody has died yet!