Sorting laundry only into lights and darks overlooks other important differences. Ariel's washing guidance also separates heavy towels from lightweight garments, delicate fabrics from tougher items, and heavily soiled pieces from clothing that needs only a lighter clean.

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Illustrative image.

Those divisions make it easier to select a compatible temperature and level of agitation. Pretreat stubborn marks before loading, leaving heavily soiled items for an appropriate programme. Reading each label first provides the limits within which colour, fabric weight and soil level can guide the final wash selection.