I sort by whites/pales that can be bleached, colors, sweaters, towels, and sheets. Everything better fit in there.

With it only being the 2 of us any more laundry is very different. No taking things to the cleaners anymore and rarely do I wash anything by hand. The orphans are hardly around anymore and I figure if a piece has a color that is intense and might bleed it will go in with older blue jeans that no longer bleed. For me problem solved. There is always, whites (with bleach), light colors, dark colors, jeans, and bedding. Quilts are always washed separate and hung outside to dry. I don't think we have anything more but the occasional orphaned sock and its twin will show up eventually.

I very seldom use bleach - on anything.

I consider it a very hazardous substance - even though I've been told my stomach makes hydrochloric acid for digestion.