ByNext Guide: Can You Wash Towels with Clothes?

October 31, 2025 7:42 AM
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A common laundry dilemma is whether to wash clothes and towels together or separately, and many people find it hard to decide. Although it may seem convenient to mix them, choosing the optimal option for your laundry routine can be challenging due to variations in fabric weight, drying time, and hygienic requirements.

This is where ByNext is useful. We are a reliable cleaning partner that makes laundry care easier with professional solutions suited to your needs. We make sure that every load is handled with care, cleanliness, and precision, whether it's delicate fabrics or professional laundry for gym towels, so you can always look and feel your best.

Understanding the Basics: Towels vs. Clothes

Clothes and towels have quite distinct washing requirements, despite their apparent similarities. Higher temperatures and thorough rinsing are necessary to keep towels clean and fresh because they are thicker and more absorbent.

On the other hand, clothing often needs softer treatment to preserve its fabrics and colors. Both benefit from using laundry detergent sheets, which dissolve easily, avoid residue, and give mixed laundry loads a balanced clean.

Should Towels Be Washed Separately?

Most laundry professionals consider that for optimal results, towels should be washed separately. Since towels tend to retain more moisture and bacteria, separating loads improves hygiene, reduces wear and tear on lighter clothing, and helps prevent lint transfer to delicate materials. Using longer wash cycles and higher water temperatures helps get the smell out of towels without harming other fabrics, as the extended agitation and heat break down odor-causing bacteria more effectively.

Washing complete: A person stacks freshly laundered towels

When Is It Okay to Wash Towels and Clothes Together?

If the fabrics and colors are similar, it is acceptable to wash towels with clothes. For example, you can use workout clothes made of moisture-wicking materials to wash lightweight gym towels. To prevent bleeding or lint transfer, it's also okay to mix similar-colored things together, such as dark towels and dark clothes. To keep everything fresh and well-preserved, always wash towels in a washing machine with a mild detergent and a soft cycle.

Situations When You Should Never Mix Towels and Clothes

Even while it may seem convenient, there are situations where it's preferable to avoid washing towels with clothing. Washing delicate materials, extremely soiled items, or clothing with zippers that can catch towel fibers should not involve mixing them with the towels. Separating fresh towels with vibrant colors is also a good idea to avoid color bleeding. Allow the experts to handle your laundry on hectic days; use our On-Demand Laundry service for consistently clean, well-maintained loads.

Tips for Washing Towels and Clothes Together

  • The best way to wash towels with clothes is to use warm water to preserve the colors and fabrics.

  • To guarantee proper cleaning and rinsing, do not overload the washing machine.

  • To prevent dye transfer between mixed loads, add color catchers.

  • To maintain towel absorbency, avoid fabric softeners and use laundry detergent sheets for a mild, environmentally friendly clean.

  • To remove any detergent residue, run an additional rinse cycle if necessary.

How to Properly Wash Towels for Long-Lasting Freshness

Knowing the best way to wash towels with clothes, and when not to, is the first step to keeping your towels fluffy and fresh. To thoroughly remove dirt, oil, and bacteria, towels should be washed in warm water after every 3 to 4 uses. Fabric softeners leave a residue that reduces absorbency, so avoid using them. Choose eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets for a thorough, effective clean that is better for the environment and your skin.

ByNext suggests using moderate heat to preserve the fibers and shaking towels before drying to restore fluff. Your towels will remain soft, hygienic, and long-lasting with consistent washing, appropriate drying, and thoughtful maintenance.

Common Laundry Mistakes to Avoid with Towels and Clothes

Combining all the laundry into one load is a common time-saving tactic, but it can backfire, particularly with towels. Lint transfer, uneven cleaning, and even fabric damage can result from combining thick, absorbent towels with delicate fabrics.

Knowing how to wash towels with clothes properly helps maintain color and softness. See our guide, "How Do Hotels Keep Towels White," for additional professional guidance.

Can You Wash Sheets with Towels?

Washing towels with sheets in the same load is usually not advised, despite the fact that it may seem convenient. Uneven drying will be the result when you wash towels with clothes in the washing machine. Sheets are lighter and smoother than towels, which are thicker and heavier. Additionally, towels can produce lint that adheres to sheets, making them dull or scratchy.

Since towels often retain more moisture and bacteria, washing them separately helps ensure better cleanliness. Avoid mixing and washing towels with sheets for optimal results.

Can You Dry Towels with Clothes?

Drying clothing and towels together is generally not a good idea. Lighter clothing may overdry and shrink since towels are thicker and take longer to dry. Towels can also cause friction, which deteriorates delicate materials. When drying a microfiber wash towel, keep it away from cotton or other materials that produce lint, as microfibers easily absorb lint, which reduces their softness and absorbency. Towels and clothing should be dried in different cycles to maintain optimal condition.

ByNext Pro Tip: Leave the Laundry to Us

There are instances when it's best to leave laundry care to the experts. ByNext’s pro tips make it simple to keep everything clean and fresh, whether you don’t have time for laundry day or aren’t sure you can wash towels with sheets.

ByNext offers professional laundry and dry cleaning services tailored to your needs, reducing the burden of laundry. We guarantee that every item, from delicate textiles to large loads, is carefully cleaned, pressed, and delivered, making it the ideal option for people with hectic schedules and those who appreciate ease and quality.

A smiling woman folding a clean, light pink bath towel, demonstrating the result of a proper laundry process

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FAQs - Wash Towels with Clothes


Is it good to wash towels with clothes?

It’s best not to wash towels with clothes, as towels produce lint and need higher heat for proper cleaning. Mixing them can transfer lint and bacteria, reducing the freshness of your clothes.

Does washing towels with clothes cause lint?

Washing towels with clothes can lead to lint transfer, as towels tend to shed fibers, especially during high-friction cycles, which can cause lint to stick to your clothes.

What items can be washed together?

Wash similar fabrics and colors together, like cotton shirts with cotton pants or darks with darks. Always separate whites, delicates, and heavy items such as towels or jeans to prevent color transfer and fabric damage.

Let’s Wrap It Up!

Separating laundry is nearly always the safest option. Lint transfer, uneven drying, and even damage to sensitive items can result from combining heavier fabrics, such as towels, with lighter clothing. To keep towels soft and absorbent and to kill bacteria, the best way to wash towels is to do so separately in warm water.

Select expert services like wash and fold clothes in New York if you're short on time or want your clothes to be spotless every time. We know how to wash towels and clothes safely and effectively and keep their fabric clean, fluffy, and well-maintained. Check out ByNext’s pricing to find a plan that fits your laundry needs perfectly.