The Untold Truth About Washing Towels
Why You Shouldn’t Wash Towels and Clothes Together
Mixing towels and clothes in the same laundry load may seem convenient, but it can harm your fabrics and hygiene. Here’s why separating them makes a difference.
Towels Need Tougher Treatment
Towels are thick, absorbent, and trap body oils and residue. They require “hot water to dissolve oils, long wash cycles to flush out buildup, and heavy agitation.” Clothes—especially delicates—need gentler care. Washing both together means one gets over- or under-washed, leading to damage over time.
Lint, Friction, and Fabric Damage
Towels shed lint that clings to clothes, making them look worn. That lint can also “clog seams, fill dryer vents, and even reduce a towel’s absorbency.” Rough towel textures can fray seams, stretch necklines, and cause pilling. Plus, “zippers and buttons from clothes can catch on towel loops.”
Hygiene and Drying Issues
Used towels absorb sweat, skin cells, and bacteria. Without proper washing, “they become breeding grounds for microbes.” Mixing them with clothes, especially underwear, spreads germs. Also, towels dry slower than clothing, so mixed loads lead to damp towels or overdried clothes—wasting energy and wearing out your dryer.
