Can You Wash Towels with Sheets? A Quick Guide

It’s a question that comes up on laundry day for many: Can you wash towels with sheets in the washing machine? On one hand, putting all your items in one go saves time, and although the short answer is yes, sometimes it's not the best idea. That's because to keep your towels and sheets at their best, you need to follow the right washing instructions for both. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the right way to launder your bedding and towels at home, to maintain their quality over time. 

Caring for Different Fabrics in a Shared Load

Undoubtedly, it's easier to mix the loads, but if items are made from different materials, this approach can cause problems. If you think about it, towels are heavier, and they’re designed to soak up water. Bed linen, in contrast, is made to feel soft and comparatively lightweight against your skin, but this also makes them more prone to damage.

This disparity in fabric weights and construction means it's a good general rule to wash them separately. How they move in the wash, how long they take to dry, the way heavy, wet towels can get mixed with sheets and wrap around them, can all reduce the effectiveness of your laundry cycle. But is there a way to balance the needs of both in a combined load?

Let’s jump into it, running through a few helpful tips to show you how to care for all your Christy bed linen and luxury towels the right way.

Caring for Different Fabrics in a Shared Load

Despite advice against mixing laundry, sometimes you need to wash towels and bed sheets at the same time, and it’s important to know how to manage it properly. Cotton towels and bed linen may not use the same wash settings, so you need to find a cycle that allows effective cleaning of all items, without harming the fabrics.

Before you start the load, check the fibre types in your wash by reading the care labels for each item, plus advice on the correct wash settings. Here’s a run-through of the basics to get you started.

Understanding Fibre Types: Cotton, Microfibre, and Blends

Every type of fabric needs its own special care, and the care labels in your towels and sheets are there to tell you how to wash them. As we’ve highlighted, some fabrics, like cotton and linen, don't behave the same way in water. Cotton towels are thick and, as we've already touched upon, their primary function is to soak up and hold water. This makes them feel heavy when soaked through when you wash them.

Let’s compare this with linen or cotton sheets, which are both known for their absorbent properties, but with much more delicate fibres and construction than a towel. So, while they have a level of absorbency, it’s not comparable with a towel, and it’s certainly not as heavyweight.

Then there are additional qualities, for instance, one interesting thing about linen bedding, is that it gets softer with every wash. That’s because the natural pectins in the flax fibres break down over time. Cotton sheets behave in a similar way, getting softer over time, but this is down to a relaxing of the fibres, rather than pectins. Still, this adds a delicacy to each, so you see how, with such different properties, mixing linen or cotton sheets with heavy towels can cause damage to the more delicate items.

Here is a quick comparison of common fabric types:

The Importance of Care Labels

General advice aside, the first thing you should do before washing anything is to read its care label. It’s there to give you clear washing instructions straight from the manufacturer, and therefore, the expert, which will help you keep the fabric in good repair long-term and avoid unnecessary damage.

If you do want to wash things together, it is always good to read the labels of all items first, as this can help you decide which wash cycle will work best. Just be sure to pick the temperature and settings that fit the most delicate item in your laundry. This way, you will lower the chance of shrinkage or colours fading.

Colour Separation and Avoiding Laundry Mishaps

Beyond the fabric type, the common rule of laundry remains the same, which is to separate colours, putting light items and dark ones in different loads. Mixing colours is one of the main culprits of fabric damage or colour bleeding, and let’s be honest, nobody wants to see their new white sheets turn grey or pink. So, to keep your luxury towels and bed linen beautiful, remember, always sort them by colour.

Next, pick the right detergent types and wash cycle. As we know from outlining fabric types in the table above, the wrong wash cycle or detergent types can adversely affect your towels and sheets.

For more detailed instructions when washing your towels, check out our 10 expert tips for prolonged softness. 

What Kind of Detergent Is Best?

When it comes to detergent types, it's usually a good idea to choose a mild detergent for your sheets and towels, whether it's a liquid or a powder detergent, and if possible, use one that you can add straight to the drawer, as this allows the machine to mix it in equal parts throughout the cycle. Also, forgo the fabric softener, especially when washing towels and linen sheets. This is because fabric softener puts a layer on the fibres, a little like wax, and this can make fabrics less absorbent.

For an alternative ‘softening’ option that is both natural and effective, try these:

• Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It will help get rid of excess detergent on the fabric while softening the fibres.

• Add half a cup of baking soda to the wash to help brighten whites and eliminate bad odours.

Which Wash Settings Work for Both Towels and Sheets?

As we now know, if you need to wash towels and sheets together, the key is to pick the right wash cycle. But how to find that balance, when towels can be washed at warmer temperatures with a faster spin, but sheets often need a gentler wash? If you put both in the same wash and colour bleed isn’t a worry (i.e. you have a white wash), try to use a safe and middle setting to cater for the needs of both as best you can.

It's worth noting that a delicate cycle may not have enough power to clean heavy or soiled towels the right way. If you do need a heavy-duty cycle with a higher heat (which can harm your sheets), go for a separate approach, and bear in mind, if you pack larger machines too full, you'll reduce the cleaning power. Your items need that space to move so they can get clean.

If you wash your things together, try these settings as a middle ground.

• Water Temperature: Use warm water (30 or 40 degrees). Don't use hot water, which could damage sheets.

• Wash Cycle: Pick a "normal" or "bulky" wash cycle and avoid a heavy-duty setting with a fast spin cycle.

• Load Size: Don’t put too many items in the machine. Leave enough space for water and detergent to move around.

Drying Towels and Sheets: Best Practices

The last step in doing your laundry is drying. Just like when you wash, towels and sheets often have different care instructions. Whether tumble drying or air drying, the tips below will help you finish your sheets and towels the right way.

Air drying is the best and most gentle way to dry sheets, working well for almost any fabric, but especially for delicate sheets. Plus, when you hang your sheets on a line, you also help stop them from shrinking or wrinkling. But if you have to use a tumble dryer, choose a low heat to protect the fabric. Towels, on the other hand, often feel much softer when you tumble dry them, as it actively fluffs up the cotton fibres to make them feel thick, plush and soft to the touch. And regardless of your approach, always make sure your towels and sheets are completely dry before you use or store them, as damp towels or bedding can quickly smell musty.

Answered: Can You Wash Sheets with Towels

Although washing towels with sheets simplifies laundry day and saves you time, it's important to pay close attention to the washing instructions for each item and check what your towels and sheets are made of to use the right wash cycle. If you need to combine, stick to these simple tips, and all your linens can be clean, feel fresh, and preserved for years to come. Have more questions about laundry care? Get in touch with our team to ask a question anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will washing towels and sheets together make them less clean?

Yes, it is possible. If you wash towels with sheets, the heavy towels can wrap around the sheets in the washing machine, which can stop water and detergent from evenly mixing and moving through the fabrics. It can also damage more delicate items.

Can I prevent pilling and softness loss when combining loads?

Separating your laundry is one good way to stop pilling. If you have to wash things together, use a gentle cycle and avoid fabric softener, since it can make your towels feel less soft and absorbent. A laundry bag can also help; simply place a delicate or fitted sheet inside to lower friction.

What’s the safest way to wash towels and sheets at once?

The best way to wash is to put items with similar materials and colours together. If you need to wash towels and sheets at the same time, make sure you have space in the drum and set it to a normal warm cycle for best results. A laundry bag also helps here, to protect more delicate sheets.