Why You Shouldn’t Wash Towels and Clothes Together: A Smart Laundry Guide

Let’s face it—after a long, exhausting week, throwing all your laundry into one load might seem like a time-saver. But this habit could be damaging your clothes, dulling fabrics, and even transferring bacteria in ways you don’t realize.

I used to mix towels and clothes too—until I noticed stiff towels, fuzzy t-shirts, and dull fabrics. That’s when I looked into the science behind separating laundry. Here’s what I discovered, and why doing separate loads makes a difference.

1. Towels Require a More Intense Wash

Towels are designed to be thick, absorbent, and durable. After use, they hold onto body oils, dead skin cells, soap residue, and moisture. To properly clean them, towels need:

• Hot water to dissolve oils,

• Long wash cycles to flush out buildup,

• Heavy agitation to cleanse their deep fibers.

Clothing—especially delicates—needs a gentler touch. A hot and aggressive wash can cause fading, shrinking, or stretching. So when you mix the two, you’re either under-washing the towels or over-washing your clothes. Neither outcome is ideal.

2. Lint Transfer Is a Real Issue

Towels shed lint. A lot of it. When washed with clothing—especially dark or synthetic fabrics—this lint clings and creates an unwanted fuzz layer. The result? Clothes that look worn and untidy.

But lint isn’t just annoying—it can clog seams, fill dryer vents, and even reduce a towel’s absorbency over time. When you wash towels separately, both your wardrobe and your linens stay in better shape.