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Original poster

Do you wash towels separately in their own load?

269 replies

JacknDiane · 18/01/2026 09:40

I've always bunged them in with the rest of the washing, am I doing it wrong?

OP posts:
Kitchenbattle · 19/01/2026 11:39

Upstartled · 19/01/2026 11:30

Even with this beast, there's a load on each day. I'd have the complete hump with it if the drum were smaller

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I refuse to wash a load a day, we don’t wear once and wash unless it’s stained or smelly for some reason. I will get 2-3 wears out of a jumper, 3-4 wears out of jeans. T-shirts maybe 2 depending…so my laundry is mostly kids uniforms and underwear, socks, towels, tea towels, pjs, a few T-shirts, kids sports gear. My yoga clothes.

theres 4 of us

TheSoapyFrog · 19/01/2026 11:38

I do them separately. Mainly because I have enough towels for a whole load, and the same for clothes. Also because I like to use a bit of fabric softener with clothes, but can't use it with the towels. And also because I use different a cycle for towels than I do for clothes.

TallulahBetty · 19/01/2026 11:34

Yes, for several reasons:

They take up their own load of room
I wash them at 60 but clothes at 30
I don't use fabric conditioner with them, but do with clothes

chaosmaker · 19/01/2026 11:33

If towel wash needs to be hotter then shouldn't your foul underwear go in with them?
I just load my machine as I go and wash when I have a full load...

Upstartled · 19/01/2026 11:30

Kitchenbattle · 19/01/2026 11:13

We have an 11kg AEG Machine and I can fit bedding with towels and clothing. Two loads a week serves us.

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Even with this beast, there's a load on each day. I'd have the complete hump with it if the drum were smaller

Zippedydodah · 19/01/2026 11:14

Shudacudawuda · 18/01/2026 09:45

I do them separately with bed sheets and tea towels etc on a hot wash.

Me too.

Kitchenbattle · 19/01/2026 11:13

Upstartled · 19/01/2026 11:08

11kg machine.

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We have an 11kg AEG Machine and I can fit bedding with towels and clothing. Two loads a week serves us.

Upstartled · 19/01/2026 11:08

TheKateColumbo · 19/01/2026 11:04

I want to know what washing machines can fit in towels and other laundry. I broke mine washing two bath sheets and two pairs of jeans together.

11kg machine.

Upstartled · 19/01/2026 11:07

I think it's too demanding on the machine during the spin cycle with a load of just bath towels so I put it in the usual daily loads. I mean, were only drying clean bodies, I can't see why they need a boil wash?

TheKateColumbo · 19/01/2026 11:04

I want to know what washing machines can fit in towels and other laundry. I broke mine washing two bath sheets and two pairs of jeans together.

MeandT · 19/01/2026 10:45

BananaPeels · 19/01/2026 08:01

You wash towels everyday? Now I am intrigued. Once a week for my family. Am I abnormal? 😬

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Yes, quite normal washing towels once a week...but I'm aware from previous threads that there are laundry zealots who will wash towels daily, despite the fact that all they've done is wipe some drinking-quality water off your skin 🤷🏼‍♀️

If there are dubious bacteria on your towels immediately after showering, I have to think there's some fundamental aspect of the shower experience that's going wrong, but I know there are Mumsnetters out there who would never be swayed on this.

For added controversy, I hot wash my towels overnight - that's another thread that ran for pages on how that's tantamount to arson, despite a regular hot wash and 'clean machine' cycle with limescale remover being a key factor in what helps PREVENT my washing machine from bursting into a ball of flames. And the 5 smoke alarms which help alert us to any problem before dying in our sleep. But there are just as many who would never countenance that.

Still, it wouldn't do to all be the same eh 🤷🏼‍♀️

JHound · 19/01/2026 10:25

I was separately as I was them at 60C and don’t use Fabric Conditioner.

Mackerelfillets · 19/01/2026 10:22

Towels, sheets and tea towels need 60. Normal clothes 30 or 40 depending on your detergent.

QueenOfThorns · 19/01/2026 08:21

BananaPeels · 19/01/2026 08:01

You wash towels everyday? Now I am intrigued. Once a week for my family. Am I abnormal? 😬

Show quote history

No

BananaPeels · 19/01/2026 08:01

Golightly133 · 19/01/2026 00:26

I have 4 bath sheets and 2/3 hand towels everyday so always wash on a hot wash each morning with teatowels dishcloths etc never put towels in with ordinary washing, but I don’t know why just never have

You wash towels everyday? Now I am intrigued. Once a week for my family. Am I abnormal? 😬

DonnaBanana · 19/01/2026 05:59

It’s essential to wash towels at 60C or higher because they have touched your body so may have germs on them. Unlike your underwear or other clothing which is magically ok.

tuvamoodyson · 19/01/2026 03:15

Yes.

ihatethewordhubby · 19/01/2026 02:50

I wash towels on a 100 degree wash for 5 days in a cauldron.

caringcarer · 19/01/2026 02:10

abracadabra1980 · 18/01/2026 09:44

Separate hotter wash like PP

This. 3 teen boys in house so 2 towel loads each week.

BooneyBeautiful · 19/01/2026 01:47

CrowMate · 18/01/2026 09:42

I wash separately as wash them at a higher temperature. Plus, they’re bulky.

Me too. I wash clothes at 30 degrees, and towels and bedding at 60 degrees.

Golightly133 · 19/01/2026 00:26

I have 4 bath sheets and 2/3 hand towels everyday so always wash on a hot wash each morning with teatowels dishcloths etc never put towels in with ordinary washing, but I don’t know why just never have

DiscoBeat · 19/01/2026 00:18

I like to wash towels and bedding hotter than everything else so I wash them separately, but I have to do multiple loads for them anyway so I couldn't fit anything else in with them

MoonWoman69 · 19/01/2026 00:08

@Firefly1987 Oh I love a rough, scratchy bath towel! I have some I won't use as they're too soft! They need a good few washes before they're rough enough for me! Funny how we all like different things!

Cocomelon67 · 18/01/2026 23:28

I usually wash on their own on a high heat, but I normally wash at 30.

Chinsupmeloves · 18/01/2026 23:27

Hell no, if a towel needs washing it goes in with the rest!

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