Sorting by fabric type and not only by colour

Short answer: Sort by how hard the fabric is as well. Bamboo viscose together with zips and denim gives bobbling and pulled stitches.

Why colour is not enough

Two garments can both be dark blue and still ruin each other. A pair of jeans with rivets in the drum next to a soft t-shirt roughens the surface of the whole load.

How to sort better

Put soft knits together: t-shirts, underwear, nightwear. Put hard and heavy things together: jeans, workwear and anything with zips. See bamboo underwear for women.

The exception that works

Towels can be washed with bedding. Both are smoothly woven with no hard parts. See bamboo towels and bamboo bedding.

Frequently asked questions

Can you wash socks with t-shirts

Yes, they are the same fabric type. The socks are just dirtier.

What about clothes with velcro

Close the velcro or put the garment in a bag. Velcro snags everything.

Are three piles enough

Yes: light, dark and hard. That covers most households.