I follow laundering instructions to a T, except I throw everything in the drier. I can't stand to have wet clothing all over the place
My drier is new, and doesn't get very hot. I'm short so if things shrink a bit it doesn't matter
Diane Gilmans jeans shrink but that's OK with me
So far as laundering things separately, I would do it, until you are sure they don't bleed, You don't want to ruin a batch of clothing
If it is delicate put it in a bag to wash it, They keep things from getting too beat up