Is Separating Laundry Just for the Older Generation?
It started as a simple question on Facebook:
“Do you actually separate your lights and darks when doing laundry, or do they all take a ride together in the same load?”
The comment section? Exploded like a rogue red sock in a load of whites.
But the responses revealed something more than just washing preferences — they hinted at a generational divide. So let’s settle this once and for all: is separating laundry just something our mamas and grandmamas did? Or is it still a must?
📊 The Spin Cycle Breakdown
We combed through nearly 200 responses, and here’s what y’all had to say:
75% say they separate (colors, fabrics, towels — the whole shebang)
15% toss everything in together, no shame in their game
10% fall somewhere in between, using color catchers, washing towels alone, or separating by person instead of color
💬 The Comment Section Didn’t Disappoint
Some folks are ride-or-die with tradition:
“Separate everything. I can’t believe this is a thing!” – Mary Swaim Chamness
“I throw everything in together and I’ve never had an issue.” – Harlie Garton
“Reading these comments tells me I need to get my life together.” – Cayci Grissom
One top fan made an interesting observation:
“LCtoday, I think you need to ask the age of the person. The under-40 crowd throws everything together, while the over-50 crowd separates. I separate mine — but my kids? Not a chance.” – Kim Norwood Samuels
Looks like laundry habits might just be generational after all.
🧼 What the Experts Say
Turns out, your grandma wasn’t wrong. Most cleaning experts still say separating is the best way to:
Prevent color bleed
Preserve fabric quality
Keep whites bright
Avoid lint and fuzz mix-ups
The folks at The Cleaning Authority recommend washing whites in hot water (when safe), and darks in cold to protect dye. Good Housekeeping adds that drying items together — even if they survived the wash — can lead to unwanted fuzz transfers, especially on black clothing.
That said, with modern washers and color-safe detergents, some shortcuts are safer than they used to be — just maybe not on your favorite white hoodie.
🧠 Did You Know?
Color-catcher sheets actually do help trap dyes in mixed loads.
New clothes are more likely to bleed. Experts suggest washing them separately for the first few cycles.
Towels and jeans are fabric bullies. Wash them separate or risk pilling and worn-down fibers on your other clothes.
Cold water washing is better for the environment and reduces dye transfer.
Final Fold
So is separating your laundry just an “old-school” thing?
Well… yes and no.
Younger folks might not stick to Grandma’s exact method, but even modern experts agree: if you want your clothes to look better, last longer, and avoid surprise tie-dye moments — it’s still worth the sort.
Want to weigh in or share your laundry hacks? Drop a comment or tag us at #LCtodayTalks. Just don’t forget to check your pockets first.
