Should you wash towels alone?

Author: Kelley Emard  |  Last update: Friday, December 26, 2025

Washing dirty towels with the rest of your laundry is never a good idea. Not only will the towels not get as fresh and clean due to other soiled items in the washing machine, but delicate fibers could be damaged or tangled with smaller items that will prevent them from being properly washed.

Are you supposed to wash towels separately?

Washing towels with clothes can transfer germs and bacteria between items in the wash. For sanitary reasons, you should always wash bath towels separately from clothing items. Putting towels in their own load also makes it easier to adjust the setting based on color.

Should I wash my towel by itself?

You definitely want to wash towels separately from clothing and other linens, says Matthews. Despite the fact that towels don't fit into a one-size-fits-all use category—there are kitchen towels, bath towels, and cleaning towels.

What is the best way to wash towels?

Laundering Instructions Wash towels on ``high'' with the hottest water you can. Add bleach (for white towels) or vinegar to the rinse cycle at least every few times you wash the towels. If towels are coming out dingy, increase the water temperature and use bleach. Make sure you are using a quality detergent.

Is it okay to wash towels in the washing machine?

Washing Machine: You can wash the towel in the same machine as human clothes, but it's often a good idea to wash them separately if the towel is heavily soiled or if it has a strong odor. If you do wash them together, make sure to wash similar colors to avoid color bleeding.

"How Often Should You Wash Towels? The Shocking Truth About Towel Hygiene!"

What is the best cycle to wash towels?

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.

What is the best mode to wash 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 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.

How many towels can I wash at once?

Too many towels washed at once won't get clean, but too few means greater agitation for quicker wear and tear. Most front-loading washing machines can fit seven standard-size bath towels; top-loading washers can fit around nine or ten.

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.

How often should I wash bed sheets?

"Regular washing, or about once every one to two weeks, is recommended to maintain cleanliness and a healthy sleep environment," says Harris. Once a week if you don't use a top sheet. Once a month if you do. Once a week if you don't use a top sheet.

Do towels still have bacteria after washing?

And when you dry yourself, the moisture from the towel combined with the bacteria that gets pulled from your body becomes a mix of infectious bacteria,” he says. “On day zero, when the towels are washed and still not used, you can still culture bacteria from the towel. On day one, the bacterial count increases.

Can I wash towels and blankets together?

To summarise, it's fine to wash your dirty sheets, blankets and towels together if you've got an especially spacious washing machine, and the items you're cleaning have similar care instructions. If not, your best bet is to put your sheets and blankets in separate laundry loads to ensure they get proper care.

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.

Do people wash towels after every use?

The verdict: As a general rule, you should launder your bath towel (or swap in a clean one) at least once a week. The same goes for hand towels. And your washcloth? That needs replacing more often — at least a couple times a week.

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.

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.

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.

Is it better to wash towels separately?

Washing dirty towels with the rest of your laundry is never a good idea. Not only will the towels not get as fresh and clean due to other soiled items in the washing machine, but delicate fibers could be damaged or tangled with smaller items that will prevent them from being properly washed.

Why is my towel turning yellow after a shower?

White towels can turn yellow due to various factors, including mineral buildup from hard water, detergent residue, body oils, and sweat. Over time, these substances can accumulate and cause discoloration, resulting in yellowing of the fabric.

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.

How often should you change your bed sheets?

To cut to the chase, Dr Browning says we should be changing our sheets once a week, or every two weeks at the most. Hygiene is a big factor, and one of the reasons is sweat. If you've ever tried sleeping in a heatwave, you'll know how difficult it can be.

Should you wash towels in hot or cold water?

To play it safe, it's best to wash your towels in cold water, according to Eichholz. “Hot water can be damaging to the cotton and shrink the towel,” she says. Are there any risks associated with washing towels in hot water? Yes—hot water causes natural materials to shrink and can weaken the fibers (think: less luxe).

Should you use a washcloth to wash your body?

If you love using your washcloth for showers, then Dr. Schlessinger recommends reserving it for use on the body. “The best way to wash your body with a washcloth is by using a gentle touch, don't scrub your skin too hard and avoid rubbing body acne or other skin irritations,” Dr.

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