Have you ever wondered if it's okay to wash your towels and clothes in the same laundry load? It might seem like a smart idea to save time, water, and energy, but let's dive into why it's not the best choice.
Towels are not considered delicates. They are designed to be durable and withstand regular use and washing. However, this doesn't mean you can disregard proper care when washing towels.
Towels can become less absorbent and rough over time if not treated correctly. To maintain their quality, it's essential to follow some basic laundry rules.
Why not wash towels and clothes together?
Lint nightmare
Bacteria transfer
Agitation impact
Towels are notorious for producing lint, especially new ones. When you wash towels and clothes together, the lint from towels can cling to your clothing, making them look worn out and dull.
Towels pick up tiny bits from our skin and germs when we use them. They need special cleaning to get all fresh again. Mixing towels with clothes could spread germs around, and we don't want that.
Clothes don't need as much washing as towels. When towels and clothes spin around too much together in the washer, it can make clothes look old too soon and even hurt delicate fabrics.
Why is towel care important?
Preserve softness and absorbency
Prevent colour fading
Extend lifespan
Maintain hygiene
Proper towel care keeps your towels soft and absorbent, ensuring they do their job effectively.
Following towel care practices helps prevent colour fading, keeping your towels vibrant.
By adopting towel care, you extend the lifespan of your towels, saving you money in the long run.
Clean and well-cared-for towels contribute to a hygienic bathroom environment.
Exceptions to the rule
While the general advice is to keep towels and clothes separate, there are exceptions. If you're running a small load of towels and wish to save water, you can include sturdier clothing items like jeans and t-shirts. However, it's still important to consider the potential lint issue, as jeans can also release lint and create abrasion against delicate fabrics, or if the towels are heavily shedding, it might be best to keep them separate.
Steps to wash your towels:
Sort by kind
Wash towels alone
Load the washer correctly
Select the right settings
Use the right detergent
Choose the right dryer settings
Dry separately
Store apart
Put clothes that are similar together. Keep towels separate from clothes.
Always wash your bath towels by themselves, not with clothes.
Don't load too much stuff in the washing machine. It won't clean well, and your things might get messed up. Fill it about two-thirds full to allow proper cleaning and rinsing.
Set your washing machine to a regular cycle with warm water. This will help dissolve detergent and remove oils.
Wash your towels separately using Hapiso laundry pods and warm water. Opt for a gentle cycle to preserve the fabric and maintain the quality of the towels. Opt for a mild detergent like Hapiso that doesn't leave a residue. This will maintain your towels' absorbency over time.
When drying towels, choose a medium heat setting to prevent excessive lint shedding. Dry them thoroughly to eliminate any remaining moisture that can encourage bacterial growth.
Just like washing, keep towels away from clothes when drying. Towels make lots of lint that can stick to clothes.
After drying, give your towels a gentle shake to fluff them up. Fold them neatly and keep towels and clothes in different places to keep them clean.
Tips for washing new towels and removing lint
- Wash new towels separately for the first few cycles to remove excess lint and improve absorbency.
- To remove lint from new bath towels, run a lint brush or roller over them before each use.
Sanitary practices and towel reuse
Sharing towels
Underwear and towels
Reusing bath towels
Sharing towels, even after washing, is not recommended. Towels can still harbour bacteria, and personal hygiene items like face towels should still be kept separate to prevent the potential spread of germs.
Underwear is considered an intimate item that should be washed separately from towels to ensure hygiene and prevent the spread of bacteria.
Reusing bath towels is generally sanitary as long as they're hung to dry properly between uses. However, it's recommended to replace towels regularly to maintain optimal hygiene.
When to replace towels
Towels don't last forever. If they start looking old or don't soak up water well, it's time for new ones. Usually, you might need new bath towels every two years.
Excessive Lint on Clothes After Washing
One common issue many people face when washing towels with clothes is the transfer of lint onto garments. Towels, especially new ones, tend to shed fibres during washing, which can cling to clothing, leaving them covered in lint. To prevent this, it's essential to wash towels separately or with similar fabrics to minimize lint transfer.
Clothes hygiene tips
Keeping your clothes clean and fresh isn't just about looking good – it's also about staying hygienic. Always wash your clothes in hot water to effectively kill germs and bacteria. Use a quality detergent like Hapiso laundry pods that's suitable for your fabric types, and consider adding a disinfectant or laundry sanitizer for that extra cleanliness boost.
Dish Towel vs. Hand Towel
While it might be tempting to throw all your towels in together, it's important to differentiate between them. Dish towels are meant for drying dishes and should be washed separately from hand towels or other linens used for personal hygiene to prevent cross-contamination. So wash them separately in hot water with Hapiso pods.
Conclusion
While it might be tempting to wash towels and clothes together to save time and energy, the risks of lint transfer, bacterial contamination, and premature wear on clothing items outweigh the convenience. To maintain the hygiene and longevity of both your towels and clothes, it's best to keep them separate during the laundry process. By following this practice and implementing proper washing techniques, you'll ensure that both your towels and clothes stay fresh, clean, and in top condition.
Frequently asked questions
What clothes to wash together?
When washing towels, it's best to separate them from clothing items that are prone to lint pickup, such as dark-coloured garments or delicate fabrics like silk. Instead, wash towels with items made from similar materials, such as cotton or linen, to minimize lint transfer.
How to strip towels in washing machine?
Over time, towels can start to feel less absorbent due to build up from detergent, fabric softeners, and body oils. To strip your towels and restore their absorbency, try adding white vinegar or baking soda to the washing machine along with your Hapiso laundry pods. Run the machine on a hot water cycle to thoroughly clean and refresh your towels.
How to wash new towels to make them absorbent?
New towels might look fluffy and soft, but they often have a coating that inhibits absorbency. To help them reach their full potential, wash your new towels separately in hot water with a cup of white vinegar. This will remove any residue and soften the fibres, making them more absorbent for future use.
How to get musty smell out of towels?
Musty-smelling towels are a common issue, especially in humid climates. Combat this by washing towels with Hapiso pods and adding a cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle. Dry towels thoroughly to prevent mildew growth.
Can you wash sheets and towels together?
While sheets are less prone to lint issues, washing towels and sheets together might not provide the best results. Towels require thorough agitation to remove dirt and bacteria, while sheets benefit from a gentler wash. To maintain the quality of both items, it's advisable to wash them separately.
Can you mix towels and clothes in the dryer?
Dryers can be a breeding ground for bacteria. If towels are mixed with clothes that have accumulated bacteria and skin cells, there's a risk of transferring these germs to the towels. To maintain hygiene, it's wise to dry towels and clothes separately.
How many times should you wash new towels before use?
It's a good practice to wash new towels at least once before using them to remove any residual chemicals, lint, or manufacturing residues. This also helps improve their absorbency.
How many towels should you wash at a time?
The number of towels you wash at a time depends on your washing machine's capacity and the load size. Avoid overloading the machine to ensure proper cleaning and rinsing.
Can you wash different coloured towels together?
It's generally not advisable to wash white towels with dark-coloured ones. Towels, especially cotton ones, are highly absorbent and can easily pick up dye from other fabrics during the washing process. This can result in your white towels becoming discoloured or dingy. To maintain the vibrancy of your towels, it's best to sort them by colour.
Can you wash sweatshirts with towels?
It's generally a good idea to avoid washing them along with towels. Sweatshirts are often made from a blend of materials, including cotton and synthetic fibres. These materials can trap lint and fibres from towels, leaving your sweatshirt covered in unsightly fuzz. To prevent this, it's best to wash sweatshirts with other similar fabrics or clothing items.