10 Old-Fashioned Laundry Tips You Should Stop Following

From using cold water for (almost) everything to skipping the bleach on your whites, these are the new rules of laundry.

Getty Images / Ana Rocio Garcia Franco

Most of us were taught to do laundry in pretty much the same way: The first step, we were told, is to separate laundry by color. This was followed by a bunch of other rules about how to load the washing machine, the correct water temperature to use, and how much detergent to dispense into each load.

But advances in washing machine design and laundry detergent formulas, as well as changes to the types of fabrics we wear, have altered the way we do laundry. Many of the old rules, tips, techniques, and methods we learned years ago are outdated and no longer need to be applied in a modern washroom setting. Ahead, you'll find some of the top old-fashioned laundry rules that can be thrown out, along with tips for rethinking how you do laundry.

It used to be that loads of laundry were separated by color, and that was that. But with changes to the fabrics we wear, as well as advances in laundry technology that make washing in cold water as effective as washing in hot water, there are other ways to think about separating loads of laundry. Instead of sorting strictly by color, it is a good idea to sort items by fabric or by weight.

Wash heavy or bulky items (like jeans and sweats) together, and wash lightweight and delicate garments together to prevent damage. Avoid washing lint-prone items, like towels or fleece, with fabrics that attract lint, such as yoga pants and other workout gear made from stretchy fabric. Finally, always wash towels, bedding, and other household linens separate from clothing.

The old rule, "Wash whites and lights in hot water, wash darks and colors in cold water," is outdated, thanks to advances in everything related to how we do laundry, from our machines to the detergents we use. Now, using cold water for regular laundry, regardless of whether you're washing whites, darks, or household linens, should be the default.

There are still times when using hot or warm water is recommended, such as when doing laundry after someone has been sick or when treating certain stains, like waxy lipstick or drops of oil. Heavily soiled or infrequently washed items, like curtains, may also benefit from being washed in warm or hot water. Always consult the care tag for laundry instructions, including what temperature water to use.

In the past, when options for doing laundry were more limited, boiling fabrics to sterilize and clean them was a common practice. Today, thanks to the popularity of laundry hacks on social media, people are revisiting that method. However, boiling your clothes is something we think is best left in the past: There are a number of drawbacks to doing so, including color loss and fading, seam damage, and loss of elasticity.

Another laundry rule that is outdated because of changes to our washing machines is the proper loading order—which used to be water first, then detergent, and finally clothes. Nowadays, the most common loading order is detergent, laundry, then water. Of course, it is always a good idea to check the loading instructions on the lid of the washer and, if your machine has detergent dispensers (which are designed to release laundry detergent at the optimal point in the cycle) use it instead of putting the detergent directly in the drum.

It can be an annoying extra step to take, but turning certain garments inside out before washing them helps to protect clothing. This is especially true of dark and brightly colored clothing which, when washed inside out, is less susceptible to color loss and fading. Washing clothes inside out also helps to eliminate body soil build up, leaving fabrics cleaner and smelling fresher. Finally, washing clothes that have beading or other embellishments, including delicate buttons, inside out will protect against damage.

Liquid and powder laundry detergents need to be measured before they're added to the washing machine, and detergent makers include a measuring cup in their packaging. However, if you're filling the cap or scoop all the way up and using the same amount of detergent in every load, you are almost certainly using too much detergent. Instead of automatically filling the detergent measuring cup to the brim and adding it to your load of laundry, consult our guide to using the correct dose of detergent every time.

Chlorine bleach is a powerful disinfectant that has also traditionally been used in laundry to brighten whites. However, chlorine bleach is a harsh chemical that can weaken fabrics over time, and which can have a chemical reaction to certain stain types that renders them yellow, rather than removing them. Before using chlorine bleach for laundry, check the care tag for guidance on whether a garment is bleach-safe. Most garments made of wool, silk, cashmere, mohair, leather, spandex, fleece, or microfiber should not be washed with chlorine bleach. As an alternative to chlorine bleach for whitening whites, try oxygen bleach, baking soda, or laundry bluing, an old-fashioned laundry product that is excellent at brightening dingy or yellowed whites.

Fabric softeners are formulated to make fabric feel softer to the touch, and to reduce the electric charges that cause static cling in fabrics. Fabric softeners leave a coating of electrically charged chemical compounds, however, that coating can reduce the performance of some fabrics. Before using fabric softener, always check the care label and, in general, avoid the use of liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets when laundering flame resistant children's sleepwear, workout gear, and towels.

Electric dryers are a convenient and efficient way to dry clothes and household linens, but drying creates a lot of wear and tear, thanks to exposure to high heat and agitation. While dryers are the right choice for items like sheets and towels, as well as for drying denim, polyester, and down-filled items, experts recommend air-drying most clothing to prevent shrinking, heat damage, and weakened fabric.

Wool and silk have a reputation for being difficult to clean, and while that can be true, it is not true that garments made of these fine natural fibers must be dry cleaned. Both wool and silk can be washed by hand at home, saving you a trip to the dry cleaner—and saving you money on your clothing care bill.