Can You Wash Towels with Clothes?

Do you ever wonder if you can toss your towels in with the rest of your laundry? You’re not alone. Many people aren’t sure if washing bath towels with clothes is a good idea or not. While some say it’s perfectly fine, others argue it can lead to problems like decreased absorbency or pilling problems. So, what’s the truth? In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of washing towels with clothes and provide some tips for keeping your laundry fresh and clean.

 

Wash New Towels Before Use

Did you just buy some new towels and can’t wait to start using them? Before you do, it’s a good idea to wash them first. New towels often have leftover chemicals, oils, and lint from the manufacturing process that can make them less absorbent and soft. By giving them a wash, you’ll remove these substances and fluff up the fibers, resulting in a more comfortable and effective bath towel. So, don’t skip this important step! Just toss them in the wash before using them for the first time, and you’ll have a better experience with your new towels.

 

Can You Wash Towels with Clothes?

When it comes to washing towels with clothes, there are a few good reasons why you might want to think twice:

Decreased absorbency

Towels are designed to be highly absorbent, but washing them with clothes can cause lint and other fibers to transfer onto the towel fibers. Over time, this can lead to decreased absorbency and an unpleasant feeling when drying off.

Pilling

The rubbing of towels and clothes in the wash can cause pilling on the towels, making them feel scratchy and uncomfortable to use.

Hygiene concerns

Towels can harbor bacteria, especially if they’re not given a chance to dry completely. When you wash clothes and bath towels, you run the risk of transferring this bacteria to your clothes, which can cause bad odors and even potential health risks.

Staining

There’s a risk that your clothes could end up staining your towels if they’re particularly dirty. This is especially true for white towels that can be easily stained by other fabrics in the wash. Nobody wants their towels to come out of the wash with unexpected stains, so it’s always a good idea to be cautious when mixing your towels and clothes together.

 

Washing Towels with Vinegar

Have you ever thought about adding vinegar to your laundry routine? You might be surprised to know that vinegar can be a great addition when it comes to washing towels! Adding vinegar to your towel wash can help to freshen them up, remove buildup from fabric softeners and detergents, and even help to restore their absorbency. Plus, vinegar is a natural fabric softener and can help to remove any lingering odors on your towels.

To use vinegar, simply add a half to one cup of white vinegar to your towel wash, depending on the size of the load. You can add it to the softener dispenser or directly to the wash water. Then, wash your bath towels as you normally would, using a mild detergent and warm water.

Just be sure to avoid using vinegar on fabric softener towels, as this can cause the softener to break down and reduce its effectiveness. Give it a try and see how much fresher and softer your towels can be with a little help from vinegar.

 

Clothes get trapped inside sheets

Have you ever experienced the frustration of finding clothes trapped inside your bedsheets after doing the laundry? It’s a common problem that can be both annoying and time-consuming to fix.

Clothes can easily get trapped inside sheets during the wash cycle, especially if you’re washing large loads. This is because clothes and sheets can get tangled together and create a ball of fabric that’s difficult to separate.

To avoid this problem, try to wash sheets and clothes separately whenever possible. If you must wash them together, use a laundry bag to keep smaller items like socks and underwear contained. You can also try alternating between sheets and clothes in the wash to prevent them from getting tangled.

When it comes to drying, make sure to shake out the sheets and clothes before putting them in the dryer. This can help to prevent any items from getting trapped inside and ensure that everything dries evenly.

While it can be frustrating to deal with clothes trapped inside sheets, there are some easy steps you can take to prevent this from happening. With a little extra care and attention, you can keep your laundry looking and feeling great.

 

Towels and sheets need to be washed on a hot, long wash cycle

When washing your towels and sheets, it’s important to give them a little extra attention to make sure they come out looking and feeling their best. One key tip is to wash towels and sheets on a hot, long wash cycle. This can help to remove any dirt, grime, or bacteria that may have accumulated over time, ensuring that your linens are clean and fresh. Hot water get better results than warm water.

In addition to the temperature and length of the wash cycle, be sure to use a high-quality laundry detergent that’s suitable for your particular fabric types. This can help to ensure that your towels and sheets are thoroughly cleaned without damaging the fabric.

When it comes to drying, make sure to follow the care instructions on the label. Most towels and sheets can be dried on a high heat setting, but some may require a lower heat to prevent shrinking or damage.

Taking these extra steps to care for your towels and sheets can help to keep them looking and feeling great for years to come. So go ahead and give your linens the extra TLC they deserve.

 

How to Use Fabric Softener with Towels

While fabric softener can be a great addition to your laundry routine, it’s not always the best choice when it comes to washing towels. Using fabric softener on towels can actually make them less absorbent over time. This is because the fabric softener can leave a residue on the towels that can build up and reduce their ability to absorb moisture.

In addition to reducing absorbency, fabric softener can also leave a waxy buildup on towels that can make them feel stiff and scratchy. This can be especially noticeable on towels with a higher pile or more texture. Instead of using softener, try using a natural alternative like vinegar or baking soda to soften your towels. You can also try washing your towels on a hot cycle with a small amount of laundry detergent to help break down any buildup that may be present.

By avoiding softener and opting for natural alternatives, you can keep your towels feeling soft, fluffy, and absorbent for years to come.

 

Can you wash colored towels with colored clothes?

When you wash colored towels and clothes, washing them together in the same load is generally not recommended. This is because colored towels can bleed and transfer dye onto other clothes in the wash, leading to unsightly stains and discoloration. This is especially true for darker colors like navy, black, or red, which are more prone to bleeding.

To avoid this problem, it’s best to wash colored towels separately from your other colored clothes. You can also try washing towels with other similar-colored towels to prevent any bleeding or transfer of dye. In addition to separating your colored towels from your other clothes, be sure to use a gentle laundry detergent that’s specifically designed for colored fabrics. This can help prevent fading and keep your colors vibrant and bright.

By taking these extra steps to care for your colored towels and clothes, you can help to prevent any unwanted bleeding or staining and keep your laundry looking great wash after wash.

 

Can you wash white towels with white clothes?

Washing your white towels and clothes, it’s not always advisable to wash them together in the same load.

This is because white towels can pick up lint and fibers from other clothes in the wash, leading to unsightly discoloration and fuzziness. This is especially true for fabrics like denim or flannel, which are more prone to shedding fibers in the wash.

To avoid this problem, it’s best to wash your white towels separately from your other white clothes. You can also try washing towels with other white towels to prevent any lint or fiber transfer.

In addition to separating your white towels from your other clothes, be sure to use a gentle laundry detergent that’s specifically designed for white fabrics. This can help to prevent yellowing or graying of your whites over time.

By taking these extra steps to care for your white towels and clothes, you can help to keep them looking bright, clean, and fresh wash after wash.

 

Drying clothes and towels

It may seem like a convenient way to save time and energy, but drying your clothes and towels together is not always advised.

This is because towels tend to take longer to dry than most clothes, which means that your clothes may overheat and shrink while waiting for the towels to dry.

In addition, towels can also leave behind lint and fuzz on your clothes, leading to a less-than-desirable appearance.

To avoid these issues, it’s best to dry your clothes and towels separately. You can use a lower heat setting for your clothes and a higher heat setting for your towels to ensure that everything dries properly without any shrinkage or damage.

If you’re short on time or space, you can also try hanging your towels up to dry on a separate rack or outside in the sun while drying your clothes in the dryer.

By taking these extra steps to separate your clothes and towels when drying, you can help to keep your clothes looking great and avoid any unwanted damage or fuzziness.

 

Can you wash white towels with colored clothes?

On laundry day, you should keep your whites and colors separate so that the colors don’t run or fade. When it comes to white towels, this is especially true.

If you wash your white towels with colored clothes, the colors can bleed onto the towels and make them look dirty and stained. Even if your colored clothes don’t bleed, the dye can get on your white towels and make them look dirty and faded.

If you want your white towels to stay clean and bright, you should wash them separately from your colored clothes. You can keep white clothes from getting yellow or dirty over time by washing them with a mild detergent made just for white clothes.

Don’t worry if you mix your white towels with your colored clothes by accident. You can try soaking them in a mixture of cold water and oxygen-based bleach and then washing them again separately.

By doing these extra things to keep your white towels from getting dirty with your colored clothes, you can help your towels stay clean and bright wash after wash.

 

How to Dry Towels

Even though drying towels might seem easy, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure they are soft, fluffy, and smell good. First, after your wash towels are nice and clean, give your towels a good shake before you put them in the dryer. This helps to fluff up the fibers and keeps them from sticking together, which can make towels dry unevenly and become stiff.

If you want to keep your towels from getting too hot and stiff or crunchy, it’s best to use a dryer setting with medium or low heat. High heat settings should be avoided because they can damage the fibers and cause them to shrink. You can also help your towels dry faster and fluff them up by putting a few wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls in the dryer.

If you’d rather let your towels dry in the air, you can put them on a drying rack or hang them outside on a clothesline. Just be sure to avoid direct sunlight, which can cause your towels to fade. Lastly, when your towels are dry, don’t forget to fold them neatly and put them away. This keeps them from getting wrinkled and makes them look neat and clean.

By doing these simple things, you can help make sure that your towels come out soft, fluffy, and ready to use.

 

Towel Buying Tips

First, think about what the towels are made of. Cotton is often used for towels because it soaks up water, is soft, and lasts a long time. The best towels are made of 100% cotton or a mix of cotton and other fibers. Next, think about how much each towel weighs. Towels are usually measured in GSM, which stands for grams per square meter. Towels with a higher GSM are denser and can soak up more water. Look for towels with a GSM of 600–900 for a high-end feel.

When buying towels, color is also an important thing to think about. If you want white towels, look for ones that say “bleach-friendly” on them to make sure they stay bright and clean wash after wash. If you like colored towels, wash them separately from your white towels so the colors don’t run or fade. Lastly, don’t forget to look at how big the towels are. The minimum size for a bath towel is 27 inches by 52 inches, and the minimum size for a hand towel is 16 inches by 30 inches. Add some extra-large bath sheets, which can be up to 40 inches by 70 inches, for a touch of luxury.

By keeping these towel-buying tips in mind, you can make sure you get the best towels for your needs, whether you want a soft and fluffy bath towel or a gym towel that dries quickly.

 

Is it OK to wash towels with clothes?

No, you should not wash towel with clothes. The way to wash these two kinds of fabrics is different. Because towels are thicker and can soak up more water, they need a longer and hotter wash cycle to get clean. If you wash your towels with your clothes, the towels might not be as absorbent and your clothes might get stains.

 

Can you wash towels and rags with clothes?

No, you should not wash towels and rags with clothes. Don’t wash things that are very dirty with your regular clothes because dirt and stains can spread. Also, it’s best not to wash light colored rags with colored clothes to keep the dye from running.

 

Is it okay to wash towels with pants?

No, do not wash towels with pants because the fluff will transfer onto the pants. This is really a problem if you are washing light-colored towels and black pants.

 

Final Thoughts

In general, it’s not a good idea to wash towels with clothes because it could cause problems like less absorbency, lint transfer, and stains. It’s also not a good idea to wash rags with clothes or towels with tough fabrics like pants. To keep your towels in good shape, you should follow proper washing instructions, such as using a hot wash (not warm water) and not using fabric softener. By doing these things, you can make sure that your clothes and towels stay clean and fresh and don’t hurt each other.

 

 

Sources:

• All photos used in this blogpost are sourced from the internet, and the rights belong to their respective owners
• Wilson, M., & Wilson, M. (2023, March 28). Can TOWELS be washed with clothes? Are you doing your washing WRONG? Retrieved from https://fullyhome.co.uk/laundry/wash-towel-with-clothes/