Why Separating Your Laundry Matters: The Hidden Risks of Mixing Everything in One Service Wash

Colour Transfer: How It Happens and Why It’s Hard to Reverse

Colour transfer is one of the most common issues in mixed washes — especially when dark or brand-new garments are washed with lighter colours.

Why it happens:

• Dark and bright fabrics can bleed dyes during the wash cycle.

• Heat, water, and detergents can all accelerate dye release.

• Lighter items (especially cottons) easily absorb colour in the same drum.

What it can look like:

• A pale T-shirt coming out with a faint blue or grey tint

• A white towel turning slightly pink

• Light cotton shirts picking up dye from jeans or dark joggers

The problem:

Once colour transfer occurs, it can be extremely difficult — and sometimes impossible — to fully reverse without risking further damage to the garment.

Fabric Types React Differently — Especially When Mixed

Different fabrics require different wash temperatures, spin speeds, and detergents. When everything is washed together, the wash must be set to the safest possible setting — usually a gentle cycle at a low temperature. That means:

• Heavier items don’t clean as thoroughly

• Delicates may still get caught or stretched

• Items with metal trims or zips can rub against softer fabrics

• Towels can shed lint onto clothes

• Fluffy garments can lose shape when mixed with structured items

This is why separating by fabric type is just as important as separating colours.

Items With Different Soil Levels Shouldn’t Be Washed Together

A T-shirt you wore to the gym doesn’t need the same cleaning power as a delicate blouse. Washing heavily soiled items with lightly worn items can lead to:

• Dirt redepositing onto other garments

• Odours clinging to clean fabrics

• Poor overall results, especially at low temperatures

A mixed load forces everything to be washed on a “one size fits all” cycle — and that rarely gives the best outcome.

Why Service Washes Are Washed Exactly As They Arrive

At The Steam Shop, a service wash means your items are washed, dried, and folded exactly as they are handed to us. We do not separate laundry — not by colour, fabric, soil level, or care type.

Why?

• Consistency: Every customer knows their items will stay together from start to finish.

• Preference differences: Some customers wash mixed colours at home; others don’t — so we follow the safest, most transparent approach by not making assumptions.

• Avoiding mis-sorting: We never guess which items belong in “light,” “dark,” “delicate,” or “heavy” loads.

• Fair pricing: Sorting changes weight and wash cycles, which would alter the service wash price. Keeping everything together avoids any confusion.

• Efficiency and traceability: Your entire load remains together in one machine, ensuring nothing is misplaced or mixed with another customer’s items.

This is why clear preparation on the customer side — such as separating colours or bagging items separately before drop-off — is essential if you want them washed in different loads.

What Can Go Wrong If You Put Everything Into One Wash

Mixing everything into one unsorted service wash can lead to:

• Colour bleeding and dye transfer

• Shrinkage of delicate fabrics

• Snagging or damage from zips, buttons, hooks, or heavy garments

• Lint transfer, especially from towels

• Dulling of whites and light colours

• Uneven cleaning, where some items still look worn or dingy

Most of these issues aren’t caused by the wash process itself — they’re caused by incompatible items sharing the same drum.

The Best Way to Prepare a Service Wash

To protect your garments and ensure the best results, here’s what we recommend:

✔️ Separate lights and darks

White, pastels, and very light colours should always be washed apart from deeper tones.

✔️ Group fabrics by type

Towels with towels. Delicates with delicates. Everyday clothing together.

✔️ Avoid mixing heavy and light items

Jeans and knitwear can be cleaned together, but throwing in a chiffon top? Not ideal.

✔️ Bag items separately when possible

If you give us multiple bags, we wash them separately — no questions asked.

Final Thoughts: Simple Steps Make a Big Difference

A service wash is one of the most convenient ways to stay on top of your laundry — and with just a little preparation before drop-off, you can dramatically improve the results.

By separating colours and fabrics, you reduce the risk of colour transfer, protect delicate garments, and help us clean your items in the way that suits them best.

If you’re ever unsure how to prepare your laundry, just ask — our team at The Steam Shop is always happy to help.