Colored wash (divided into "light" and "dark") is generally cold and tumble dried on low heat.
I actually do hang a fair amount of stuff to dry (merino baselayers, Tori Richard shirts, etc), but I have the setup for it so it's not particularly onerous.
Towels and sheets are hot and dried on high heat. Just nuke that stuff! People keep towels and sheets too long, anyway; I say keep them clean and don't worry about hustling them to the grave. I also use bleach about every third washing, both to disinfect the towels and to clean the washing machine.
We're a scent-free household, so we use Arm & Hammer's unscented "free & clear" liquid detergent; we never use drying sheets.
If colored clothes are just plain filthy (like stuff worn a week camping, caving clothes, a coat your daughter leaves in the rain overnight and then stashes in a drawer so it will mildew... things like that) I just wash it hot and then tumble dry low.
DH
I actually do hang a fair amount of stuff to dry (merino baselayers, Tori Richard shirts, etc), but I have the setup for it so it's not particularly onerous.
Towels and sheets are hot and dried on high heat. Just nuke that stuff! People keep towels and sheets too long, anyway; I say keep them clean and don't worry about hustling them to the grave. I also use bleach about every third washing, both to disinfect the towels and to clean the washing machine.
We're a scent-free household, so we use Arm & Hammer's unscented "free & clear" liquid detergent; we never use drying sheets.
If colored clothes are just plain filthy (like stuff worn a week camping, caving clothes, a coat your daughter leaves in the rain overnight and then stashes in a drawer so it will mildew... things like that) I just wash it hot and then tumble dry low.
DH
