Can You Wash Bed Sheets and Towels Together? We Have the Answer!

To save resources, people often wash bed sheets and towels together. In some cases the combined wash is really the best solution, but in others it is not recommended. With the right process, germs are prevented and detergent is saved.

Can You Wash Bed Sheets and Towels Together and What Do You Have to Consider?

Generally, you can wash bed sheets and towels together. However, whether you end up with really clean laundry depends on the material, temperature and washing program. And here comes the problem – because actually the textiles of the bed linen and the towels are so different, they also have different demands on the wash cycle.

Also read: How to wash pillows properly and remove yellow stains, dirt and odors

What to Consider When Washing?

• The right temperature: Bed linen made of microfiber or jersey fabric can and should be washed at 140F/60C. Linen or satin fabrics, on the other hand, often have a symbol for a delicate cycle – meaning they are washed at a maximum of 70F/30C. To prevent germ formation, you can add a hygiene rinse to the detergent. Towels can all be washed at 140F/60C without any problems. Therefore, the rule of thumb – towels and bed linen made of the same material or with the same care label requirements can be washed together. Delicate textiles should always be washed separately.

• How often to wash? Bed linen is washed once a week, towels should be changed every 2 to 3 days. It is best not to throw the towels in the laundry basket, but wash them immediately after changing them.
• Which colors to combine? Furthermore, you should only combine textiles in similar colors. White towels and bed linen are washed together, colored are washed separately.

Also read: How to Wash Underwear Properly – Simple Rules That You Need to Know

Can You Wash Bed Sheets and Towels Together: Here Are the Arguments Against It!

There are several arguments against a combined wash cycle. In some cases this is not recommended. For example:

• The different weight of the textiles makes it difficult to load the washing machine. Bed linen needs more than a hand’s width of space so that it can be washed properly. It is also often spun at a maximum of 1000 revolutions. In contrast, towels should be spun at a speed between 1200 and 1600 so that they dry quickly after the wash cycle.
• Towels are often dirtier than bed linen – you often have to remove various stains or get rid of oily substances. However, this is not possible with a wash cycle at 104F/40C.
• Some towels lint when washed at high temperatures or spun at more than 1200 rpm. Therefore, they should be sorted out and washed separately. Smooth fabrics may attract the lint and it will be difficult to remove.

• If you wash bed sheets and towels together at too high temperature, they may shrink. Especially with fitted sheets, this could become a big problem. You can try ironing the fitted sheet or pulling it a little while it is damp.
• With combined washing cycles, the washing machine is often overloaded. The consequences are quickly noticeable – bed sheets and towels get tangled up and are difficult to sort out.

By the way, bed linen and towels/shower towels/bath towel should definitely be dried separately. Otherwise there is a risk that part of the textiles will burn and the other part will remain wet.

Conclusion

It is possible to wash bed linen and moderately dirty towels together, as long as the textiles have similar temperature and washing requirements. However, you should divide the laundry into whites and colors and wash and dry delicate fabrics separately.

Also read: Smell of Sweat Remains after Washing? These Methods and Home Remedies Fix This Problem!