Master Laundry Sorting with a Free Printable Guide

Laundry, a life skill that can be both overwhelming and satisfying, believe it or not, can give you a sense of accomplishment. If you find yourself struggling with a mountain of laundry and are looking for ways to streamline your routine, this how to sort laundry printable will guide you toward mastering your laundry routine once and for all!

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How to Sort Laundry Printable

Laundry is one of those household chores that I love-hate. I love the smell of fresh laundry, especially towels and sheets, and I am very particular about folding because I enjoy the look of neatly put away things. However, I hate that it is never done, and can pile up quickly if you fall behind.

Staying organized is everything, so I’m here to help with step-by-step advice and my free printables! The printables offer a clean and classic look, perfect for framing the laundry guide or keeping it close by on a pretty clipboard or binder. With these printables, you can take control of your laundry routine and bring order to the chaos.

Are you overwhelmed by the task of organizing your home? If you have too much stuff, check out my best tips for decluttering and organizing your home so that you can achieve an organized home quickly without a professional organizer. Whether you’re tackling a drawer, closet, or entire room, these steps will help bring order to your space.

Can’t wait? No problem – click below and grab your FREE laundry printables now.

Get the FREE How to Sort Laundry Printable Now!

Laundry Day

On laundry day, I go to the laundry room and begin sorting the dirty clothes. I separate them into different piles based on color, fabric type, and washing instructions to ensure they are cleaned properly.

But is sorting laundry even a necessary part of your routine? Absolutely! Although skipping sorting may seem quicker, taking the time to sort your linens and clothes will help prevent color bleeding (which can ruin your favorite clothing pieces), preserve fabric quality (by washing delicate fabrics separately), and ultimately extend the lifespan of your items (by cleaning them according to their specific washing instructions). 

Before starting the organizing and sorting strategy, let’s start with laundry basics to make sure you have the cleaning essentials on hand before sharing the how to sort laundry printable.

Laundry Essentials

• Stain Remover
• Laundry Detergent
• Oxi-Clean Powder
• Oxi-Clean Spray
• Vinegar
• Bleach
• Fabric Softener
• Dryer Balls
• Essential Oils
• Storage Containers
• Laundry Basket
• Steamer
• Iron
• Ironing Board
• Washing Machine Cleaner

The Best Laundry System

The following helpful laundry tips are all included in the free printable, which will help you master your laundry sorting routine.

Step 1: Organizing

Check your schedule and efficiently categorize your laundry each day of the week. To help with proper sorting, you can use a laundry sorter or separate it into baskets. Separate loads into whites, lights, darks, delicates, bedding, white towels, colored towels, and cleaning cloths. Always inspect each item for stains and set them aside for proper treatment.

I grab a laundry basket because I typically do a load of laundry a day. If I am washing towels, for example, I put all the towels in the basket, bring them to the laundry space, and sort them. This keeps the load size minimal, and we always have clean bedding, towels, and clothes on hand. 

Step 2: Laundry Schedule

Monday: Wash the bed linens

Tuesday: Wash the towels

Wednesday: Wash the lights and darks

Thursday: Wash the delicates

Friday: Catch up; check and shop laundry essentials

Saturday: Clean the washing machine as part of your cleaning routine

If space allows, you will want to have a laundry basket in each bedroom and bathroom. I have tried it all and the best laundry system is to establish a steady laundry routine instead of doing all your laundry in one day. If you’re traveling for work or any other reason, use Friday to catch up. You’ll have the weekends off!

Step 3: Dealing with Stains

Spray the affected area with an oxi-stain remover and gently rub to remove stains. Rinse thoroughly and repeat if necessary. For tougher stains, leave the spray on for 30 minutes before rinsing or soak the item in warm water and an oxi-clean powder solution for 30 minutes.

Blood Stains

• Fresh Stains: Rinse under cold water immediately.
• Dried Stains: Soak in cold water, then rub with liquid detergent. Wash in cold water.

Coffee/Tea Stains

• Fresh Stains: Rinse with cold water. Apply liquid detergent and let it sit for a few minutes, then wash.
• Old Stains: Soak in a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing detergent, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and wash.

Grease/Oil Stains

• Fresh Stains: Blot with a paper towel. Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch to absorb oil. Brush off and apply dish soap or liquid detergent, then wash.
• Old Stains: Apply a paste of baking soda and water, let it sit, then wash with the hottest water safe for the fabric.

Ink Stains

• Ballpoint Ink: Dab with rubbing alcohol using a cotton ball, then rinse. Wash with liquid detergent.
• Permanent Ink: Apply nail polish remover or hairspray, blot with a paper towel, then rinse and wash.

Grass Stains

• Pre-treat with liquid detergent or a stain remover. Soak in a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water for 30 minutes. Wash as usual.

Wine Stains

• Red Wine: Blot with a paper towel. Sprinkle salt to absorb moisture. Rinse with cold water, then apply a mixture of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide (test for colorfastness first). Wash.
• White Wine: Rinse with cold water and wash as usual.

Chocolate Stains

• Scrape off excess chocolate. Soak in cold water with a bit of liquid detergent. Wash in warm water.

Sweat Stains

• Soak in a solution of white vinegar and water for 30 minutes. Apply a paste of baking soda and water, then wash.

Fruit Juice Stains

• Rinse with cold water. Soak in a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing detergent, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Rinse and wash.

Mud Stains

• Let the mud dry, then brush off excess. Soak in a mixture of warm water and liquid detergent. Rub the fabric together to loosen the stain, then wash.

General Stain Treating Tips in the How to Sort Laundry Printable

• Always check the care label on the fabric before treating any stains.
• Test stain removal solutions on an inconspicuous area first.
• Avoid using hot water on stains as it can set them.
• Act quickly for the best results.
• Repeat treatments if necessary, but avoid drying the item until the stain is fully removed.

Step 4: Mastering Laundry Sorting & Cleaning Tips

Whites

For the best results, it is recommended that white clothing items be washed separately in hot water with a bleach alternative and the appropriate amount of detergent. This will ensure that your clothes come out looking and smelling cleaner than ever.

After washing, you can hang the clothes to dry or use a low heat setting in the dryer along with dryer balls infused with essential oils. The dryer balls help to reduce drying time and soften the clothes, while the essential oils add a fresh scent to your laundry.

Linens

Remember to separate bath towels from bed linens when washing. Towels can be cleaned with oxygen powder and detergent, while sheets only require detergent.

If you’re washing white towels, you can brighten them using bleach. Avoid using fabric softeners, as they can affect absorbency. To add a fresh scent, use dryer balls with essential oils.

Colors

Separate light and dark clothing. Wash light colors in warm water and similar dark colors in cold water. Use the appropriate setting for fabric type. Zip up zippers, fasten hooks, and turn clothes inside out. Use dryer balls with essential oils and the lowest temperature setting. Remove clothes while slightly damp to prevent shrinking.

If you have new clothes with color that could bleed, it’s a good idea to wash them separately the first few times to prevent the color from getting on other fabrics. For example, washing jeans independently will help avoid any blue dye from transferring to other clothing.

Delicate Fabrics 

When washing delicate items, extra care is really important to avoid damaging them. You can use a mesh bag (which prevents the clothes from getting tangled or stretched) and select the gentle cycle on your washing machine (which uses less agitation and a slower spin speed) to do this. Alternatively, mix soap and cold water in your sink, add the clothes, and allow them to soak. After soaking, rinse the clothes by hand washing and gently squeeze the excess water. Lay sweaters flat to dry and hang all other delicates. 

Wrinkles

Check the care label for instructions before ironing or steaming your clothing, bedding, or curtains. This will ensure you remove wrinkles quickly and effectively without damaging the fabric. Ironing can achieve a crisp and polished look, while steaming provides quick results, especially for delicate fabrics.

After ironing or steaming, hang the freshly pressed laundry. These tasks not only make your laundry look better but also help to maintain the quality of your clothes and linens.

Kids and Laundry

My mother taught me to do laundry when I was younger, and when my son was a teenager, I taught him how to do his own laundry. He would take care of his load of clothes when I was at work and quickly became self-sufficient in that area.

I knew this essential life skill would help him have clean clothes without relying on someone else. Doing his laundry became something he was proud of, and I didn’t have to worry about him not having clean clothes as he headed off to college. 

Remember to grab your how to sort laundry printable to keep these helpful tips close by. It will show you how to organize and sort laundry and what essentials to buy. It is an easy way to form a weekly laundry routine that will keep it organized, freeing up your weekend for fun!

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