Can You Wash Sheets and Towels Together?
- Created: Friday, 16 December 2022 10:14
Your towels and sheets are some of the largest items you throw into your washing machine. They're used by everyone and need regular cleaning, so why not throw them in the washer together?
While this seems like common sense at first, it's actually worse for your towels and sheets. You've probably invested money into good quality linens and towels, especially if you're a business — the last thing you want is to replace them more frequently because they've become worn earlier than necessary. Let's look at why you should avoid washing sheets and towels together and what causes them to need different wash cycles.
Should You Wash Sheets and Towels Together?
The short answer is no, you shouldn't wash your sheets and towels together.
While it is possible to run them in the same load, regularly washing towels and bedding together can lead to longer drying times, increased wear and higher energy bills. However, if you really want to wash your towels and sheets, just make sure you're keeping lights and darks separate and you aren't overloading your dryer. No matter what your sheets and towels are made of, always check their washing instructions — they might have different washing needs from each other.
Can You Dry Sheets and Towels Together?
No, you shouldn't dry sheets and towels at the same time. Even if you want to throw them in the wash together, they'll finish drying at different times, and you'll be left with wet towels and dry sheets. Towels can also make sheets take longer to dry or prevent them from thoroughly drying. Ensure your sheets and towels dry in the correct amount of time by drying them separately.
Why You Shouldn't
It feels easier to wash your towels and blankets together, but short-term convenience can have consequences down the road. Treating your towels and sheets well will save you money and increase their life span while ensuring that they stay soft and useful through many uses. Avoiding these issues will keep your towel users satisfied and can reduce your long-term energy costs. Let's explore some of the problems that can occur when you wash sheets and towels together.
They Have Different Weights
Towels are denser than sheets — they're designed to absorb water. Your sheets are thinner and lighter, so they'll dry faster. Sheets are more delicate and over-drying them once they're no longer wet can lead to tearing and a shortened life span for your bedding. Keep your sheets on a shorter wash and dry cycle so they don't wear out faster.
Towels are also thicker than sheets and will therefore need a longer wash and dry to remove all moisture. If they aren't fully dried, it could lead to mold and mildew growth on your towels. This is avoidable if you fully dry your towels, but you may have to run them longer than you would your sheets or clothing.
They're Made of Different Materials
You might not think material matters much, but different fabrics require their own washing and drying routine. Some colors and fabrics can't go through a wash cycle with hot water, and drying any towels on high heat can wear them out faster.
Bath towels are typically made of cotton woven into loops. The cotton and towel weave make your bath towels heavy, dense and highly absorbent. While this sturdiness ensures your towels last several years of drying, it can also lead to tears and wear in more delicate bed linens.
Since bedsheets need to keep you comfortable instead of warm and dry, they're often made of a light material like silk or linen. These fabrics will wear over time, especially if you're constantly throwing them in the wash with your towels. Eventually, all this wear can cause worn spots, tears and scratchiness in your bed linens.
Towels Produce More Lint
The same cotton or terry fabric that increases the weight and absorbency of your towels also causes them to produce more lint. Some sheet materials are prone to holding onto particles and throwing sheets and towels together can lead to lint-covered bed sheets. Avoid this by keeping your towels in a separate wash, so they don't cover your sheets, blankets and clothing with unwanted lint.
Towels Can Get Trapped Inside Sheets
It's common for clothing to get caught up inside your sheets during a laundry cycle, especially if you're washing a fitted sheet. The more clothing gets caught in your sheets, the longer they'll take to dry and the more energy they'll use up. Towels will not only ball up into your sheets, but they can tangle them up and create little sections of the sheet that stay wet even after everything else is dry.
How Often Should You Wash Sheets?
Wash your sheets once a week or once every other week. We hop into bed every night, and our sheets get exposed to dirt, allergens, crumbs and more. Keep your bed fresh with regular washing. Additionally, wash your pillowcases once a week to help keep them dirt-free and can reduce breakouts on your face.
How Often Should You Wash Towels?
Wash your bath towels after every two to four uses. Any more than this and you're letting moisture, dirt and germs collect on the towel. You want to dry your body with a clean towel to ensure you're removing water without putting dirt back onto your body.
Try to throw your kitchen towels in the laundry basket after every two to three days. While hand-drying towels don't see as much prolonged use as bath towels, they're still prone to moisture and dirt build-up. You'll keep your kitchen cleaner by regularly rotating out your towels.
Can You Wash Sheets or Towels With Clothes?
You should avoid washing sheets or towels with clothes for the same reasons you should wash sheets and towels separately — your clothes are made of different fabrics with unique washing instructions. You'll want to wash similar materials and colors together to prevent premature fading and wear. Additionally, wash delicates in a laundry bag to protect them and make them easier to pull out of the load.
Shop Towel Super Center Today
Whether you're looking to update your existing stock or want to upgrade your entire towel selection, Towel Super Center has all the towels you need. We offer a wide selection of high-quality towels for baths, gyms, salons, hand use and more. As a leading online wholesale towel supplier, you can trust us to provide you with the best towels for your business. Explore a variety of towel materials, colors, sizes and features when you shop our online store today!
