How to Wash Colored Clothes, in 5 Easy Steps

We love colored clothing; what we don't love, however, is washing it. Fading, shrinking, or bleeding is always a risk when we thrown these garments into the washing machine. And that's why it's super important to make sure you're taking proper care of said pieces; you want to ensure they stay in pristine condition (and hold their intense hue) for as long as possible. That's why we decided to put together an easy-to-follow guide that outlines exactly how to wash colored clothing—and it's actually easier than you may think. Read on for all the steps and tips to avoid any color mishaps the next time you head to the laundromat.

Before you start anything, check the labels to determine whether the item can be machine-washed, or if it has to be washed by hand or taken to the dry cleaners.

Sift through your laundry and separate items by color ranges, Persil says. Wash dark tones together; think pinks with reds, greens with blues, and so on. Light- colored clothing (note: pastel hues) should be washed separately from other colors.

If you just purchased a new pair of red pants, make sure to wash them separately, as the color is more likely to bleed. If you don't want to do a separate load, make sure to only wash it with identical-colored pieces.

Colored clothes can be washed on cool or warm settings, and both have their benefits. When set to cool, clothes won't be as susceptible to fading. It's also more energy efficient. Washing on warm (never on hot, as this causes serious fading) offers your clothes a good, thorough cleaning without the risk shrinking or fading.

When it comes to drying colored clothes, you can either tumble-dry them on a low setting (again, high heat can cause fading) or hang them up (another environmentally friendly option we highly recommend).

Next up, check out more of the biggest color trends for fall 2018.