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Should You Wash Towels with Your Clothes? Here's What Laundry Experts Recommend

If you've ever done laundry for a busy household, you've probably faced the same question: Is it okay to wash towels and clothes together?

Some people insist it's perfectly fine and saves time, water, and electricity. Others believe it's one of the biggest laundry mistakes you can make.

So who's right?

The answer isn't as simple as yes or no.

While washing towels and clothes together isn't always harmful, there are several reasons many laundry professionals recommend keeping them separate whenever possible. Understanding these reasons can help your clothes last longer, your towels stay softer, and your washing machine perform more efficiently.

Why Many People Wash Everything Together

Let's be honest—modern life is busy.

Between work, school, errands, and family responsibilities, few people want to spend extra hours sorting laundry into multiple piles.

Combining towels and clothing offers several obvious advantages:

It reduces the number of loads.

It saves water.

It lowers electricity costs.

It takes less time.

It keeps laundry from piling up.

For small households, washing everything together may seem like the most practical solution.

In many cases, it works just fine.

However, problems begin to appear over time.

Towels Are Very Different from Clothing

Although towels and everyday clothing may look similar when they're sitting in the laundry basket, they are designed for completely different purposes.

Bath towels are made to absorb large amounts of moisture.

To accomplish this, manufacturers use thick loops of cotton or cotton blends that trap water.

Shirts, jeans, dresses, workout clothes, and underwear are generally made from lighter, smoother fabrics designed for comfort rather than absorption.

Because of these differences, towels behave very differently during the wash cycle.

They become heavier.

They create more friction.

They hold more detergent.

They also release far more lint.

These differences are the main reason experts often recommend separate loads.

The Problem with Lint

One of the biggest issues is lint.

Every time towels are washed, tiny cotton fibers loosen from the fabric.

These fibers float through the wash water before attaching themselves to other garments.

Dark-colored clothing is especially vulnerable.

Have you ever removed a black T-shirt from the dryer only to discover it covered with tiny white fuzz?

Chances are, towels were washed in the same load.

Fleece jackets, leggings, sweaters, and athletic clothing tend to attract even more lint because of their fabric texture.

Removing lint afterward often requires extra drying cycles, lint rollers, or fabric brushes.

Keeping towels separate greatly reduces this problem.

Towels Can Damage Delicate Fabrics

Towels feel soft against your skin.

Inside a washing machine, however, they're surprisingly rough.

As the drum spins, heavy wet towels repeatedly rub against lighter garments.

This friction can stretch delicate fabrics.

It may also contribute to:

Pilling

Loose threads

Fabric thinning

Faster fading

Shorter garment lifespan

Items especially vulnerable include:

Silk clothing

Lace

Bras

Blouses

Knit sweaters

Performance fabrics

Lightweight dresses

Keeping delicate clothing away from heavy towels helps preserve both appearance and durability.

Different Water Temperatures

Another challenge involves water temperature.

Towels usually benefit from warmer water because they collect:

Body oils

Sweat

Dead skin cells

Makeup residue

Lotion

Hair products

Warmer temperatures help remove these substances more effectively.

Many everyday clothes, however, are better washed in cold water to protect:

Colors

Elastic fibers

Printed designs

Shrink-sensitive fabrics

Trying to satisfy both types of fabrics in one load often means compromising.

Either towels don't get as clean as they could, or clothes experience more wear than necessary.

Drying Time Is Different

The washing machine isn't the only place where towels and clothing behave differently.

Dryers reveal another problem.

Bath towels hold significantly more water than lightweight clothing.

As a result, towels often require much longer drying times.

If both are dried together:

Clothes may overdry.

Towels may remain damp.

Energy use increases.

Wrinkles become more noticeable.

Some fabrics may shrink unnecessarily.

Separating loads allows each fabric type to dry using the most appropriate settings.

Hygiene Considerations

Many people also separate towels for hygiene reasons.

Bath towels frequently contain bacteria naturally transferred from skin after bathing.

Kitchen towels may carry food particles and cooking oils.

Cleaning towels can contain household dirt and germs.

Although regular washing removes most contaminants, washing heavily soiled towels separately from everyday clothing offers an extra level of cleanliness.

This is especially important if someone in the household has been sick.

Athletic Clothing Needs Special Care

Modern workout clothing often contains moisture-wicking synthetic fibers.

These fabrics differ greatly from cotton towels.

Heavy towels can damage elastic fibers through repeated friction.

In addition, fabric softener residue from towels may reduce the moisture-wicking performance of athletic garments.

Many sportswear manufacturers specifically recommend washing athletic clothing separately.

Color Transfer

While most modern towels are colorfast, darker towels—especially new ones—can still release dye during their first several washes.

This is particularly common with:

Navy blue towels

Dark red towels

Black towels

Bright green towels

Mixing these with light-colored clothing increases the risk of unwanted color transfer.

Sorting by color remains one of the simplest ways to avoid accidental staining.

Overloading the Washing Machine

Towels become extremely heavy once soaked with water.

A load containing several bath towels plus jeans, sweatshirts, and other clothing can easily overload a residential washing machine.

An overloaded washer may:

Clean less effectively.

Leave detergent residue.

Increase machine vibration.

Place extra stress on the motor.

Shorten appliance lifespan.

Leaving enough space inside the drum allows water and detergent to circulate properly.

When It's Usually Fine to Wash Them Together

Despite these concerns, washing towels and clothes together isn't always a mistake.

Many households successfully combine them under the right circumstances.

It generally works best when:

The towels aren't heavily soiled.

Colors are similar.

Fabrics are equally durable.

The load isn't overcrowded.

Everything can safely be washed at the same temperature.

For example, casual cotton T-shirts, pajamas, and bath towels of similar colors often wash together without significant issues.

Tips If You Decide to Mix Loads

If convenience is your priority, you can reduce potential problems by following a few simple practices:

Wash similar colors together.

Avoid mixing towels with delicate fabrics.

Don't overload the washer.

Shake towels before placing them in the machine to reduce loose lint.

Clean the lint filter after every drying cycle.

Use the proper amount of detergent.

Skip fabric softener occasionally, as buildup can reduce towel absorbency.

These habits can help minimize wear while still saving time.

Keeping Towels in Good Condition

To help towels stay soft and absorbent for years:

Wash them regularly.

Avoid excessive detergent.

Use warm water when appropriate.

Dry them completely before folding.

Replace worn towels when they begin losing absorbency.

Good towel care not only improves comfort but can also extend their lifespan.

The Bottom Line

So, is your sister right?

Not entirely—but she does have a point.

Washing towels with everyday clothing isn't necessarily harmful every single time, especially if the fabrics are similar and the load is properly sorted. However, towels produce lint, become much heavier when wet, require different washing and drying conditions, and can cause extra wear on delicate garments.

If you want the best results, laundry experts generally recommend washing towels separately from clothing whenever possible. Doing so helps keep clothes looking newer, towels performing better, and your washing machine operating more efficiently.

If your goal is simply to save time and resources, combining loads occasionally is unlikely to cause major problems—as long as you pay attention to fabric type, color, water temperature, and load size.

In the end, the best laundry routine is one that balances convenience with proper garment care, helping both your clothes and your towels stay cleaner, fresher, and in better condition for years to come.