Page 4 | Do you wash towels separately in their own load?

JacknDiane · 2026-01-18T09:40:47+00:00

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

ThePoshUns · 18/01/2026 22:14

Separate hot wash with laundry sanitizer.

rainbowsparkle28 · 18/01/2026 22:12

Separately so can do on a 60 hot wash but also because they are bulky and heavy so don’t want to overload / they make up a load anyway, but also as don’t use fabric conditioner (do for clothing etc but don’t for towels as affects absorbency).

FannyCradocksDoughnut · 18/01/2026 22:11

Towels and bedding 60° tea towels 90°

JanuaryJasmine · 18/01/2026 22:10

JacknDiane · 18/01/2026 10:13

Interesting! I see I've been very lax and thrown everything in together, I dont even separate whites and darks. I like the thought of washing towels on a 60 degree wash but my machine would take forever for that and I dont have the patience.
I didn't realise not to use fabric conditioner with towels. I've never noticed the difference. I like older rougher towels anyway, fluffy towels that fluff over you are a pain.

Your a proper wrong 'un! mixing all your washing, not separating out the whites, throwing towels in....

you should be put in the village stocks so we can throw rotten fruit at you!!

Do YOUR washing how YOU want to, if it smells fresh, not musty. That's job done.

Personally I separate whites, colours, darks. Bedding goes in one wash. Towels in another. Separate load for dishcloths & Tea towels (they dry out then get put in a dry laundry thing with a lid until there's a load of them).

I don't use any fabric conditioner & I 'line dry' year round.

but if your way works for you. Why change it?

macshoto · 18/01/2026 22:09

Yes, towels in their own wash, maybe with tea towels. Don’t want towel fluff on the rest of the wash.

GentleJadeOP · 18/01/2026 22:06

Redpeach · 18/01/2026 20:07

No separate wash. Never heard of catching something off a towel washed at 40.

I agree

GentleJadeOP · 18/01/2026 22:05

JacknDiane · 18/01/2026 10:13

Interesting! I see I've been very lax and thrown everything in together, I dont even separate whites and darks. I like the thought of washing towels on a 60 degree wash but my machine would take forever for that and I dont have the patience.
I didn't realise not to use fabric conditioner with towels. I've never noticed the difference. I like older rougher towels anyway, fluffy towels that fluff over you are a pain.

Don’t worry! I’ve always done the same and have brought up a perfectly healthy family this way! We all do the same.life is too short to faff around

GentleJadeOP · 18/01/2026 22:02

No I just make up a mixed load with them. Why do they need to be separated?

Musicmummy63 · 18/01/2026 21:59

Firefly1987 · 18/01/2026 21:44

Interesting you use it for clothes but not towels. I've never used fabric softener but my towels are coming out SO bloody rough! I don't know why, they must just be horrible quality. It's almost painful to dry myself with them so I'm thinking about getting some just for the towels.

As for the OP-I do all the towels on 60 so I do them separately. There's a fair few so they make their own load anyway. I'm always drying my hands so have to wash them a lot unfortunately.

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The reason I don't use it on the towels is I think it makes them less absorbant. I've just bought some new hand towels and they are definitely softer than the old ones.

DrUptonsGardenGnome · 18/01/2026 21:52

If you have a tumble dryer, stick the towels in there for a few minutes once they’ve air-dried. It’ll sort out the crunchiness.

Firefly1987 · 18/01/2026 21:44

Musicmummy63 · 18/01/2026 21:26

Yes, I use fabric softener on our clothes, but not on towels. Also, they make up a full load on their own too.

Interesting you use it for clothes but not towels. I've never used fabric softener but my towels are coming out SO bloody rough! I don't know why, they must just be horrible quality. It's almost painful to dry myself with them so I'm thinking about getting some just for the towels.

As for the OP-I do all the towels on 60 so I do them separately. There's a fair few so they make their own load anyway. I'm always drying my hands so have to wash them a lot unfortunately.

TappyGilmore · 18/01/2026 21:42

Yes because they’re a full load. Can’t fit anything else in. So never needed to think about whether they should be washed separately or not.

HappyMuma · 18/01/2026 21:37

I do the towels on a hot wash so separately from the rest of the washing.

HostaCentral · 18/01/2026 21:34

How are people washing pants at 60c????? They have lycra in them, and always state 30c and no tumbling. As it is I wash at 40c and do tumble dry, but they don't last very well.

Jk987 · 18/01/2026 21:32

a machine full of wet towels is very heavy and increases wear and tear on the machine. I read that on here so I always mix the loads.

Musicmummy63 · 18/01/2026 21:26

Yes, I use fabric softener on our clothes, but not on towels. Also, they make up a full load on their own too.

Justbecauseyoucandoesntmeanyoushould · 18/01/2026 21:24

Separately, 60°, no conditioner.

Makingadecision · 18/01/2026 21:21

Separately at 60.

BananaPeels · 18/01/2026 21:19

I think this is actually a super fascinating thread- everyone has their own way of doing things.

I go bedding at either 60 or 90 everything else gets sorted into darks and whites and 30 and 40 degree loads. That’s it. Towels will go in the 40 degree dark wash with the underwear usually. Biological washing tabs. no fabric conditioner but do use dryer sheets on them- come out lovely and soft. We have survived this far…

Fluffyblackcat7 · 18/01/2026 21:16

Butthechildrentheylovethebooks · 18/01/2026 09:43

Same.

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Me too. 60° bio liquid (no softener) and three rinses followed by maximum spin before drying outside on the line.

MrsClatterbuck · 18/01/2026 21:15

Yes on a 60° wash. I use a bath sheet for my shower so it and a few hand towels is practically a full load. Also throw in the dish cloths as well.

DisforDarkChocolate · 18/01/2026 21:09

They generally go in together, especially if I think they need a hotter wash. I might add my husband's socks and pants. My life is dull!

Shufflebumnessie · 18/01/2026 21:00

Bombinia · 18/01/2026 09:43

Yes, because I do them on 60c and also because all our towels and dishcloths make a full load.

We do the same as this.

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 18/01/2026 20:56

MopAndBucketLady · 18/01/2026 20:54

Yes with the bath mat on a 60 . Lots of fabric conditioner and bicarb too .( and no they don't stop being absorbant.
Thick fluffy towels

I find towels feel slimy in use when fabric conditioner has been used. They are less absorbent.

MopAndBucketLady · 18/01/2026 20:54

Yes with the bath mat on a 60 . Lots of fabric conditioner and bicarb too .( and no they don't stop being absorbant.
Thick fluffy towels