Should you wash towels in hot or cold water?

Author: Pablo Quigley  |  Last update: Thursday, February 26, 2026

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.

Is it better to wash towels with hot or cold water?

“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.

At what temperature should you wash towels?

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.

Is hot or cold water better for smelly towels?

you're right -- washing in HOT water (and drying FULLY) are the 2 best ways to prevent stinky/smelly towels!

What is the best setting to wash towels?

  • Water Temperature: Use hot water (around 130°F or 54°C) to effectively clean and sanitize towels, especially if they are heavily soiled or used for hygiene purposes.
  • Cycle Type: Select a heavy-duty or normal cycle, as these settings provide a more vigorous wash that helps remove dirt and bacteria.

Is washing clothes in cold water better that warm water?

What is the best cycle to wash towels?

The bulky wash cycle is an ideal washing machine setting for large items such as blankets, comforters, towels, outerwear, small rugs, and pillows.

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 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.

Does cold water really clean clothes?

Cold water is fine for most clothes and other items that you can safely put in the washing machine. It can remove many stains from clothing, including grass on your kid's jeans or makeup smudges on a sweater. Delicate fabrics (lace and silk) and dark, colorful fabrics actually do best in cold water.

Do I wash sheets on hot or cold?

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.

How often should you wash your towels?

How often should I wash my bath towels? 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 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.

How do you keep towels soft and fluffy?

Always wash darks and lights separately, and wash your towels on a different cycle to your clothing or bed linen. Be sure not to use too much detergent, fabric softener or other liquids in the wash and keep it at a low temperature.

What is the best temperature to wash towels?

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**.

How to make old towels smell fresh again?

The Vinegar Method
  1. Soak towels in vinegar. Soak your stinky towels in a bucket of white, distilled vinegar for 30 minutes to overnight with a tablespoon of detergent to help loosen body soils. ...
  2. Add towels. Place your towels into the washing machine's drum.
  3. Add detergent. ...
  4. Dry your towels.

Can I wash sheets and towels together?

Don't Wash Your Sheets and Towels Together. Linens and towels should be washed separately for the following reasons: Material Weight: Different material thickness means sharing a wash cycle can cause damage! Different Material: Pilling can be prevented by washing with similar materials and textures.

Can I wash towels in cold water?

Hot? Despite popular belief, washing your towels with cold water is the best way to keep them clean, soft and fluffy. Washing your towels in cold water will also help you save up to three-quarters of the energy you would have used had you chosen hot water.

Do you wash lights in hot or cold water?

Bottom line… So now you know what temperature you should be washing your clothes at, and which temperature is best for your laundry. But what's the bottom line? If you have very delicate items, like white or light-colored items, you should wash them in cold water to prevent fading.

Does vinegar fluff up towels?

If you are looking for extra, extra fluffiness and buoyancy, try washing with baking soda and detergent first, followed by washing with white vinegar.

Why are hotel towels so much better?

Hotel towels dry so well due to a combination of factors, including their high-quality materials and specialized laundering techniques. Hotels typically use towels made from 100% cotton, which is highly absorbent and quick-drying.

Where to put vinegar in a washing machine?

Using vinegar in laundry is simple. You can add it to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or pour it in during the final rinse cycle. When adding vinegar towards the end of the cycle, manually pause your machine right before the final rinse cycle and add a 1/2 cup of diluted white vinegar to the load.

What is the best detergent for towels?

What is the best detergent to wash towels? Heritage Park All-Purpose Laundry Detergent is a great choice for washing towels. It is a pH-neutral, plant-based, detergent that uses a proprietary enzyme blend to remove dirt, stains and odors without damaging fabric.

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.

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