When it’s time for the big weekend laundry, I’m always tempted: what if I just toss the towels in with the clothes? After all, what could go wrong? Everything gets cleaned in the drum, right? Well, the answer is a bit more complex than that.
Professional cleaners and laundry experts agree: while technically you can wash clothes and towels together, it’s really not the best choice in any way.
Different Textures, Different Needs
Towels are usually made from thicker, sturdier fabric—most often cotton—designed for absorbency and durability. That means when you wash a big load of towels, your washing machine drum is packed with heavy, dense textiles. Clothes, on the other hand, come in all sorts of fabrics, including delicate ones that can get damaged if tumbled with heavier materials.
Experts warn that washing towels and clothes together can increase friction, which may wear out delicate garments—like stretchy leggings or lightweight tank tops.
Lint and Microfibers Everywhere
Towels—especially when new—tend to shed lint. This means tiny fibers break off and cling to other clothes, especially dark pants and tops. This isn’t just an eyesore; it can also speed up wear and tear on your clothes.
If you wash towels with dark clothes, the cotton microfibers can stick and cause those clothes to lose their fresh, “like-new” look much faster.
Different Cleaning Needs
Towels are often much dirtier, collecting moisture, body oils, exfoliated skin cells, and all kinds of buildup. That’s why it’s usually recommended to wash them on higher heat or longer, more intense cycles. Most clothes, made from finer fabrics and less soiled, need gentler cycles and lower temperatures.
Washing towels and clothes together means one will be over-treated or the other under-treated—so neither gets the cleaning or care it truly needs to stay fresh and last longer.
When Can You Wash Them Together?
If you’re in a rush or have a small load, you can occasionally wash towels and clothes together by keeping a few things in mind. Make sure the colors and fabrics roughly match—like only cotton towels with cotton clothes, and only light or dark colors together.
Try washing towels with sturdy, bulky items like jeans, but don’t overload the drum.
Even then, it’s smart to pay close attention to washing settings: sort clothes by color and weight, avoid overloading, and pick a cycle that’s gentle enough.
The Smarter, Long-Term Solution
Most laundry pros agree: it’s best to treat towels separately from clothes—not just for better hygiene, but to help both your clothes and towels last longer.
By making sure towels and clothes get their own cycles tailored to their needs, you’ll get cleaner results and enjoy your favorite items longer, keeping them at their best.
