How to do laundry when you move out: step-by-step guide

Congratulations on your independence (and your first challenge: laundry)

If you've just moved out on your own, you've probably discovered that living alone involves things you used to take for granted: cooking, cleaning, paying bills... and doing laundry. Don't worry, we've all been there. This guide covers the essentials so your clothes survive your first washes and you don't end up with pink shirts that used to be white.

Step 1: Sort before you wash

This is the number one beginner mistake: throwing everything in the washing machine together. Don't. Before you start the machine, separate your clothes into three groups:

Whites and light colors, white shirts, pastel clothing, white towels
Darks and blacks, jeans, black t-shirts, dark athletic wear
Bright colors, reds, strong blues, intense greens

Why? Because dark colors release dye into the water and that dye adheres to light colors. Mixing a pair of black jeans with a white shirt is the fastest way to get a gray shirt.

The brand-new rule

If it's the first time you're washing a garment in an intense color (especially reds and blues), wash it alone or with similar colors. The first 2–3 washes are when the most dye is released.

Step 2: Prepare the load

Don't fill the washing machine to the top. Clothes need space to move. Fill to ¾ capacity.
Close zippers and buttons so they don't snag other garments
Turn t-shirts and jeans inside out to protect prints and colors
Check pockets, a forgotten tissue turns into confetti all over your clothes
Remove belts and metal accessories that could damage other garments

Step 3: Add the products

Detergent: Use the amount indicated on the package (usually 1–2 scoops). More detergent doesn't mean cleaner, it means more residue on your clothes.
You don't need fabric softener, you can use ½ cup of vinegar in the softener compartment as an eco-friendly, affordable alternative.
Tough stains: Pretreat with a little soap or baking soda before putting the garment in the washing machine.

Where does each thing go? The washing machine has two compartments:

Compartment with "II" or "2": detergent (for the wash cycle)
Compartment with "✿" or flower icon: softener or vinegar (for the rinse cycle)

Step 4: Choose the right cycle

| Clothing type | Cycle | Temperature | |---|---|---| | Everyday clothes (t-shirts, pants) | Normal | Cold or warm (30 °C) | | Athletic wear | Athletic or gentle | Cold | | Delicate items (blouses, lingerie) | Delicate | Cold | | Towels and sheets | Normal or heavy | Warm (40 °C) | | Very dirty clothes (workwear) | Heavy | Warm or hot (40–60 °C) |

When in doubt, use cold water and a gentle cycle. It's the safest combination for any type of clothing.

Step 5: Dry the clothes

In the dryer (if you have one):

Cotton and towels: medium or high temperature
Athletic wear and synthetics: low temperature
Shirts and delicate items: low temperature or hang dry
Never overload the dryer, clothes need space to tumble

Air drying:

Hang in the shade for black and bright-colored clothes
Hang in the sun for whites (sunlight naturally bleaches)
Don't leave clothes hanging for more than a day, they collect dust and moisture

Step 6: Fold and store (yes, this matters)

How you fold your clothes affects how wrinkled they get and how much space they take:

T-shirts: fold into a triangle, then in half
Jeans: fold in half lengthwise, then in half
Towels: fold into thirds
Socks: pair them up and fold in half (don't knot them, it stretches the elastic)

Is that too much work?

It's normal to feel like laundry is a chore when you've just moved out on your own. But you don't have to do it all yourself. At Emma Eco Laundry we offer a complete service: we pick up your clothes, sort them, wash with eco products, dry, fold, and deliver to your door.

Just message us on WhatsApp for a one-time pickup.

Need laundry in El Poblado? Emma Eco Laundry offers wash by the kilo from $16,000 COP/kg with pickup available, or monthly subscription plans from $200,000 COP/month.