Throwing your towels in with the regular laundry might seem like a quick win, but this common shortcut can actually harm both your clothes and your towels. Sure, it saves time upfront—but the hidden consequences could cost you in cleanliness, fabric quality, and even hygiene.
Here’s the deal: towels and clothes require very different washing treatments. Towels are thick, highly absorbent, and need longer, hotter cycles to truly get clean and kill germs. Clothes, especially delicate or synthetic fabrics, demand gentler care to avoid damage. When you mix them in one load, you end up compromising — either your towels aren’t fully sanitized or your clothes get worn down.
Lint is another sneaky problem. New towels tend to shed lots of lint, which loves to cling to your darker or synthetic clothes, leaving them covered in annoying fuzz. This often means re-washing and extra wear on your garments—definitely not worth the hassle.
Physical damage can happen too. The rough texture of towels can cause pilling, stretching, or snags on lighter fabrics, while buttons and zippers from clothes can snag and degrade your towels over time. On top of all that, towels harbor bacteria, sweat, and dead skin cells—washing them with your clothes risks transferring germs and odors where you don’t want them.
Finally, drying towels alongside clothes can lead to uneven drying because towels take longer to dry. The result? Damp towels or over-dried, shrunken clothes — neither of which anyone wants.
The best way to keep both towels and clothes fresh, clean, and long-lasting? Wash your towels separately on a hot, thorough cycle with plenty of rinse and the right detergent. Your laundry—and your skin—will thank you.
