Should I wash towels with clothes?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You have a small load of lightweight cotton towels and a few similarly colored clothing items, and you want to conserve water and energy.
• Good fit: You are using a high‑efficiency washer with a dedicated “towels” or “bulky” cycle that cleans at a temperature high enough to address hygiene concerns.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: The towels are heavily soiled, contain blood, vomit, or other bodily fluids that require a separate high‑temperature wash.
• Warning sign: You are laundering delicate fabrics (silk, lace) that could be damaged by the lint and abrasive texture of towels.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Reduces the total number of wash cycles, saving water, electricity, and time.
• Convenient when you have limited laundry space or need to finish a load quickly.

Cons

• Lint from towels can cling to clothing, especially dark or smooth fabrics, affecting appearance.
• Different drying times and fabric wear rates may lead to over‑drying clothes or under‑drying towels.

Decision Checklist

• Is the towel load lightly soiled and compatible with the temperature you plan to use?
• Are the clothing items durable enough to tolerate potential lint and abrasion?
• Do you have a washer setting that can accommodate mixed fabrics without compromising cleaning performance?

Alternatives to Consider

Run a separate towel load using a dedicated high‑temperature cycle, or wash towels with other similar‑weight items such as sheets and blankets. If you want to minimize lint, use a pre‑wash rinse cycle for towels before mixing them with clothes.

Final Recommendation

Washing towels with clothes can be a practical choice when both loads are lightly soiled, colors match, and your machine offers an appropriate cycle. When hygiene, fabric type, or lint are concerns, separate washes are safer. For high‑stakes situations—such as medical textiles or delicate designer clothing—consult a laundry professional or the garment care label.