If you’ve been washing towels and clothes together to save time, you might want to rethink that habit. While it seems efficient, it can actually cause more harm than good.
Towels need a different kind of wash. They’re thick, absorbent, and often carry more bacteria than clothes. A hot, heavy-duty cycle is best for killing germs and removing odors. But most clothing—especially delicate fabrics—should be washed in cooler, gentler cycles. Mixing the two means one of them isn’t getting the care it needs.
Lint is another big issue. Towels shed fibers, especially when they’re new. Those tiny bits of fluff cling to clothes, leaving them looking fuzzy and worn out. Dark fabrics suffer the most, ending up covered in a layer of white lint that’s tough to remove.
There’s also the risk of damage. Buttons, zippers, and rough towel textures can cause pilling, snags, and stretched-out fabrics. Over time, this wears down both your clothes and your towels faster than they should.
And when it comes to drying, towels and clothes are a terrible match. Towels hold onto moisture, so they take much longer to dry. Meanwhile, lightweight fabrics can get over-dried, leading to shrinkage and stiffness.
For fresher, longer-lasting laundry, wash towels separately. Use hot water and a full rinse to keep them hygienic, and save your clothes from unnecessary wear.
