Is it okay to wash towels in cold water?

Author: Myrtie Kessler  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

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.

Should I wash towels in cold or hot water?

Towels should be washed in the warmest water appropriate for the fabric according to the care label. Generally, warm or hot water is recommended for washing towels. Use a cycle specifically for towels or a normal/regular cycle.

What happens if you wash clothes in cold water instead of warm?

Cold-water washing means clothing is less likely to shrink or fade and ruin clothes. Cold water can also reduce wrinkles, which saves energy costs (and time) associated with ironing.

At what temperature should I wash towels?

Towels should be washed in warm or hot water, typically between 49-60°C (120-140°F), to effectively remove dirt, oils, and bacteria.

What should not be washed in cold water?

Clothes with Greasy, Oily, or Waxy Stains

Clothing and other washable fabrics, such as cloth napkins, stained by something oily, greasy, or waxy should be washed in the hottest water setting the fabric can tolerate.

Is washing clothes in cold water better that warm water?

Why shouldn't you shower with cold water?

Heart and Blood Pressure Problems

Cold water can cause a sudden spike in heart rate and blood pressure. This increase can cause heart failure and stroke for vulnerable people.

What temperature kills bacteria in a washing machine?

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.

What is the best setting to wash towels?

Use warm to medium hot water on a normal washing cycle

However, the general rule of thumb is to put towels through a regular cycle at a medium-hot temperature, just hot enough to kill off any bacteria and remove loose towel fibres. However, you should check the care labels for product-specific instructions.

How do hotels keep towels soft?

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.

Do you wash sheets in hot or cold water?

Wash with the hottest water temperature setting listed on the care label. Polyester blends are best washed using warm water, while cotton can toleratehot water. Hotter water kills most germs and also takes care of dust mites that thrive in bedding. Wash at least once every other week.

Why mop with ice water?

Cold water is effective at removing surface dirt, dust and light stains, making it ideal for periodic cleaning. It is also more economical to mop with cold water, as you do not need to heat up water. Cold water evaporates less quickly and so will also leave fewer or no streaks when drying.

Why are my clothes shrinking in cold water?

There are still multiple reasons for clothes shrinking even after using cold water. The washing cycle of the washing machine and the temperature can cause such an effect. So, it's better to lower the temperature and set the gentle washing cycle for how to avoid clothes from shrinking.

Is it okay to use the same towel for a week?

Dead skin cells, bacteria, and even sweat can accumulate quickly on your towels, so using a fresh one about every three days is a simple rule of thumb—for all kinds of towels.

What is the best wash cycle for towels?

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.

How to get towels really clean?

Wash Every Few Days

The best way to wash colored towels is with warm water and color-safe bleach, if necessary. For white towels, use hot water and non-chlorine bleach as needed. White towels should be washed separately or with other white items to avoid subtle discoloration over time.

How do you keep towels soft and fluffy when washing them?

If your towels are very stiff and scratchy, try adding around 250ml of vinegar to a wash along with your laundry liquid. Add it to the washing machine drum just before you load and set the cycle going, don't worry, it won't make your washing smell like a bag of chips.

How do hotels get their towels to smell so good?

Subtle fragrance enhancements: Some hotels add subtle fragrance enhancements to elevate the pleasant scent of their towels. For example, they may use scented sachets or keep natural essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus in their storage area.

Why do hotels put towels under the door at night?

Light from the hallway, which often remains on throughout the night in hotels, and the sounds of footsteps and conversations from people walking in the hallway can penetrate through the gap under the door. The towel effectively covers this gap and muffles sound and light, improving sleep comfort.

Do I wash towels on hot or cold?

“We recommend washing your towels in cold water—we promise it kills just as much bacteria as the hot water,” she says. If you do choose to wash your towels in hot water, Richardson says that cotton is probably the only type of fabric that can withstand the high levels of heat.

Why do towels go hard after washing?

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.

Should you wash towels on heavy or normal?

This cycle is similar to bulky, however, heavy duty is better for dirtier and thicker garments like work clothes, coats, towels, and even bedding. We recommend using the heavy duty wash cycle to wash: Towels.

When should you not wash clothes?

Don't wash those clothes

This is an odd one. According to folklore, if you wash clothes on New Year's Day, you'll be “washing for the dead” or washing a loved one away -- meaning someone in your household will die in the coming year. Get your laundry washed, dried, folded and put away by New Year's Eve.

What temperature should I wash towels at?

A good temperature for washing towels and sheets is 40 degrees, but a 60 degreewash will be better at killing germs. Changing your sheets and towels once a week can help to keep them fresh and clean**. Use ourlaundry tips section for guidelines on different fabrics.

Which laundry detergent kills bacteria?

Lysol antibacterial detergent is a new detergent that does double duty because it's designed to remove both stains and bacteria. It's a detergent that cleans in more ways than one. Lysol what it takes to protect. 37oz. , 92oz. , 138oz.

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