Tossing towels and clothes into the same wash might seem like a convenient time-saver—and many of us do it out of habit or sheer laziness—but in reality, this common laundry mistake is actually causing more harm than good. Separating your towels from your everyday clothes is not just a trivial suggestion; it makes a significant difference in the cleanliness, longevity, and overall quality of both your towels and your garments. Here’s a detailed breakdown of why keeping these laundry items apart is so important:
1. Towels Need Tougher Wash Cycles
Towels naturally collect a lot more oils, sweat, dead skin cells, and bacteria than your average clothing item. Because of this, they require washing on hot water with longer cycles and stronger agitation. These settings are designed to thoroughly sanitize and refresh towels but are simply too harsh for most everyday clothes. Washing your regular garments under these conditions can cause shrinking, fading of colors, and stretching of fabrics. Delicate fibers can become weakened, and your favorite clothes won’t last as long.
2. Lint Transfer Can Ruin Clothes
One of the biggest annoyances of washing towels and clothes together is the lint. Towels tend to shed a lot of lint during the wash. This lint can cling stubbornly to other fabrics like t-shirts, pants, and sweaters, making them look worn out, fuzzy, and old. Worse, lint can get trapped in seams and tiny crevices of your clothes, reducing their appearance and even causing discomfort. On the towel side, lint loss over time diminishes their absorbency, meaning your towels won’t dry you off as effectively.
3. Towels Are Rough and Abrasive on Fabrics
The thick, textured fibers of towels are much rougher than most clothing materials. When washed together, zippers, buttons, or delicate threads on clothes can snag on the loops of the towels, causing unsightly pulls, tears, or holes. Even the gentle motion of the washing machine can aggravate these fabric damages. If you want to keep your delicate blouses, scarves, or lingerie intact, it’s crucial to keep towels separate.
4. Hygiene Risks: Cross-Contamination
Used towels often harbor bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms picked up from your skin and bathroom environment. Washing them in the same load as underwear, children’s clothing, or t-shirts can lead to cross-contamination. This is especially concerning for households with babies, elderly individuals, or anyone with a weakened immune system. Keeping towels separate helps maintain better hygiene and lowers the risk of spreading germs.
5. Drying Towels Takes Longer and Costs More
Because towels are thick and absorbent, they take much longer to dry than regular clothes. Mixing towels with lighter clothes causes uneven drying times—clothes may dry quickly, but towels stay damp, leading to musty odors or mildew. Overdrying the entire load to accommodate towels can make clothes stiff and scratchy, while using more electricity or gas increases your utility bills.
6. Laundry Lasts Longer When Properly Sorted
When you separate towels from clothing, you help preserve the color, shape, softness, and overall quality of both. Clothes retain their vibrancy and fit, while towels maintain their plushness and absorbency. This means you won’t have to replace your laundry items as often, saving you money and reducing waste.
How to Wash Towels and Clothes the Right Way
Sort Carefully: Wash whites and towels together on a hot cycle; wash darks separately on warm or cold water; and keep delicates in cold water with gentle cycles.
Choose Proper Settings: Use a heavy-duty or sanitary wash cycle for towels to clean thoroughly; for clothes, use normal or delicate settings depending on fabric.
Dry Smart: Towels need high heat to dry fully; clothes do better on medium or low heat to avoid damage.
Select Detergent Wisely: Use enzyme-based detergents without fabric softeners for towels (softener residues can reduce absorbency), and mild detergents for clothes to protect their fibers.
Bonus Tip: Clean your washing machine monthly by running an empty hot water cycle with vinegar to remove buildup and keep it smelling fresh.
Real-Life Impact
Marjorie, a 68-year-old grandmother, noticed a remarkable difference after she started washing towels and clothes separately. Her towels became fluffier, smelled fresher, and dried more quickly, while her clothes stayed bright and soft much longer. She found that the extra effort paid off in the long run, making laundry day easier and more satisfying.
The Bottom Line
Separating towels and clothes during laundry isn’t just a minor detail—it’s a simple but powerful way to keep your laundry cleaner, softer, and longer-lasting. It also helps save you time, money, and protects your washing machine from unnecessary wear-and-tear. Next time you do laundry, take a few extra minutes to sort properly—you’ll notice the benefits right away.