An Expert Debunks Laundry Myths and Answers Common Questions

Laundry is one of the most important household chores, but we find that a lot of people either love or hate it.

The people who love it feel it can be completely therapeutic and relaxing—something they can do while watching TV or listening to a podcast. But for many others, it's a chore they absolutely dread.

There are too many rules, and it’s easy to make a big mistake. Worst of all, these mistakes are usually irreversible, often resulting in ruined and unwearable clothes. 

But, it doesn’t have to be this way. We recently connected with home expert Bianca Dottin, who was eager to dispel a few myths and answer a few of our most burning questions about laundry conundrums.

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Bianca Dottin is a lifestyle and laundry expert who loves sharing personal experiences to connect with readers.

Bianca Dottin: It's not super necessary to separate your clothes by color. Whites and colors should definitely be separated but lights and darks can be mixed together and washed with cold water. 

BD: It's essential to wash clothes in cold water so the colors don't run.

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

BD: If they do happen to run, do not dry your items. You may be able to soak the color out of the garment that bled. If it's already been through the dryer, it may be too late.

BD: I actually prefer not to use fabric softener!

And we understand. Fabric softener shouldn't be used in every case scenario—it's known to change the effectiveness of water-resistant materials, so avoid using it on workout gear and towels.

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

BD: I opt to use white vinegar instead. It's a great alternative to fabric softener.

BD: I prefer cold water for everything except for towels, sheets, and whites. 

BD: I wish