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Hi, I’m Rose! I’m 20, recently moved out for university, and currently working as a summer intern at Nellie’s Clean. Moving out of my childhood home has definitely come with learning curves and has basically forced me to learn how to become an actual adult overnight.
I used to think doing laundry was just throwing everything into the machine, adding detergent, and hoping for the best. After a few unfortunate incidents of dyeing and ruining my favourite clothes, I’ve learned that there are more effective ways of doing laundry. Separating colours actually matters and honestly, it’s way less complicated than people make it seem.
So today (and for the rest of the summer) I’m going to teach you guys what I’ve learned so far because trust me, accidentally turning your clothes into weird shades of grey and blue is kind of a canon event when you first move out. Welcome to Nellie’s School of Clean.
Why do Clothes Bleed Color?
Some fabrics release dye during the wash, especially:
- New clothes
- Bright colours
- Dark denim
- Reds, blacks, and deep blues
- Hot water washes
When loose dye floats around in the washing machine, lighter fabrics tend to absorb it and that’s how they come out different.
The Basic Laundry Rule
A successful load of laundry starts before you even enter the laundry room.
Separate laundry into 3 categories:
- Whites
- Lights
- Darks/Colors
Whites
This includes:
- White tees
- Socks
- Towels
- Bedding
This is where I love using Nellie’s Oxygen Brightener. It helps keep whites from looking dull without using harsh chemicals and bleach (it can also be used on colours!). I usually put 2-4 scoops of it directly into the drum of my washing machine along with my Laundry Soda, and my whites always come out shining.
Lights
This includes:
- Beige
- Pastels
- Light grey
Darks and Colors
This includes:
- Black
- Navy
- Red
- Green
- Denim
These can usually be washed together, especially after the first few washes.
Now, what if the piece of clothing is striped or has pieces with both light and dark colours?
The rule to remember here is: wash them based on the darkest colour in the item. So if you have a white shirt with black stripes, it’s usually better to throw it in with darker clothes, especially for the first few washes.
Should You Always Wash in Cold Water?
For most clothes, yes.
Cold water is safer for preventing colour bleeding, protecting fabric, preventing shrinking, and saving energy.
Hot water can be used for towels, bedding, or heavily soiled items, but for everyday clothes, cold water is usually the move.
What About New Clothes?
New clothes can be tricky! The first wash is when clothes are most likely to bleed dye. If you’re nervous about something bleeding, wash it separately the first time just to be safe. If I’m washing new bright-coloured clothes for the first time, I’ll add a little Nellie’s Oxygen Brightener since it’s colour-safe and helps keep everything looking fresh without using bleach.
The Detergent Actually Matters
I used to think using more detergent meant my clothes would come out cleaner. Turns out, it mostly just leaves residue behind.
One thing I like about Nellie’s Laundry Soda is that it’s super easy to use. I use one scoop directly into the drum no matter the size of my load, which prevents me from mindlessly pouring detergent into the abyss of the wash compartment. Nellie’s Laundry Soda also dissolves really well in cold water, which is important because a lot of detergents don’t fully break down during cold washes.
How to Keep Dark Clothes From Fading
A few tips:
- Wash dark clothes inside out
- Use cold water
- Avoid over-drying
- Don’t overload the machine
Another great tip is using Nellie's Scented Wool Dryerballs or Nellie's Lamby Dryerballs because they help clothes dry faster, which means you’re less likely to over-dry darker pieces and fade them over time.
Laundry honestly feels intimidating until you understand the basics. Once you know how to separate colours and choose the right water temperature, it becomes one of those tasks that almost feels like second nature. Finding laundry products that are simple to use has also made the whole process way less intimidating (Thanks Nellie’s!). And if you’re still figuring it out, trust me, everyone ruins at least one shirt learning.