Tom said: “You may think that hotter temperatures are better for cleaning clothes, but for towels the optimum temperature is between 30 to 40 degrees. Warm water absorbs detergent better, in turn leaving less chemical child up on your towels, which makes them feel stiff.
Washing towels at 30°C can also save up to three-quarters of energy, which is better for the environment and your bills.
30-40 is plenty for most stuff - shirts, jeans, t-shirts. I often wash at 30 with a high quality detergent.
For household washing machines, the best temperature to wash towels at is at around 40 degrees. Washing at 40 degrees will ensure your towels stay feeling and looking their best for longer, whilst removing most of the germs that breed there.
Depending on the detergent you use, it can be completely fine at 30.
While some washing machine temperature settings go as low as 20°C, most cold washes start at 30°C. A setting of 30°C is usually recommended for washing delicate clothes when combined with a delicate cycle, and not on quick wash.
Sheets should be washed at a warm temperature to kill bacteria. A good temperature to wash bed sheets is 40 degrees but a 60-degree wash will be better at killing germs and should be used if someone in the house has been ill.
The most suitable program depends on the fabric of your towels. Most towels are made of cotton, so use the cotton program* and set the wash temperature to at least 40 degrees: 60° is ideal for white towels. 40° is best for darker towels, to prevent them from fading.
Most care labels on towels say to wash them in cold water on a delicate cycle.
Generally, warm or hot water is recommended for washing towels. Use a cycle specifically for towels or a normal/regular cycle. A sanitizing cycle can also be used, but may not be recommended for every wash, depending on the towel fabric.
Machine wash cold: 30°C or 85°F
Cold water washing is gentle on fabrics and helps prevent color fading and shrinkage. It's ideal for delicate items and dark-colored clothes.
Observe the care label
Both washing temperatures that are too high and drying that is too hot will cause your clothes to shrink. It is therefore advisable to wash at low temperatures. Many items of clothing can only be machine washed at 30 degrees Celsius, while delicate fabrics such as silk can only be washed by hand.
In the US 30 degrees is a chilly or cold day.
Incorporating natural additives such as vinegar or baking soda during the wash cycle can further enhance softness. Advanced drying methods, utilizing commercial-grade dryers with precise drying cycles, play a crucial role in preserving the towels' plush texture.
While a 30-degree wash might not remove all bacteria, it is effective for lightly soiled items when combined with the right detergent.
What is the Best Temperature & Setting to Wash Towels? You probably wash most clothes on warm or cool to save energy or extend their life, but towels are a notable exception. To help get odor out of towels, it's best to wash them separately and using hot water.
But according to Sydney-based dermatologist Shreya Andric it's best to change your towel every three days to avoid irritating your skin or potentially cause infections. “If you shower more than once a day, then you might want to wash it more frequently,” she said.
The American Cleaning Institute recommends washing your bath towel every three to five uses and hanging it up to dry in between. This helps stave off germs and contaminants that can cause serious infections.
Eichholz agrees, and states that hot water is actually not good for your towels, as it damages the fibers over time. “We recommend washing your towels in cold water—we promise it kills just as much bacteria as the hot water,” she says.
There are several potential causes, including detergent residue, mineral buildup, and friction during the washing process. Towels are absorbent, which means they're especially prone to collecting soap and fabric softener residue that doesn't properly rinse out in the wash.
Towels/Sheets-periods of agitation and soak with regular wash and a high speed spin. Jeans-gentle wash and a high speed spin. Hand Wash-normal wash and an extra low spin speed. Delicates-extra gentle wash and a low speed spin.
Towels can get very dirty very quickly and harbour lots of germs. Best to put these on a warmer wash, 40℃ will do it. If they're heavily soiled and starting to smell a bit funky, wash at 60℃ - that will help remove most of the germs causing the smells.
However, generally speaking, most bedding can be washed on a cool wash (around 30°C). This temperature is suitable for most fabrics, including silks and satins, and helps keep colours from fading. If you have very dirty bedding or want a deeper clean, you can opt for a warmer wash, between 40-60°C.
60°C is the perfect temperature for killing bacteria, viruses and removing stains. This wash setting is also highly recommended for washing towels and bedding, but obviously this setting is going to increase running costs as the higher the temperature the higher the cost.