Page 8 | Do you wash towels separately in their own load?

Bishbashbush · 18/01/2026 10:42

I only ever wash towels with bath mats and face cloths. I was dish towels on their own too. And cloths. And bedding. I’m a bit funny that way.

Moveoverdarlin · 18/01/2026 10:36

Nah! I chuck it all in together. I separate things on colour not the texture of fabric.

KiwiFall · 18/01/2026 10:34

I do them separate otherwise they leave all little bits on my clothes. Also I do them hotter than I would clothes.

Kitchenbattle · 18/01/2026 10:34

Chataigne · 18/01/2026 10:18

No, why separate them? They aren't inherently dirty. Dishcloths (especially) and tea towels are much dirtier. I mean who hasn't smelt pseudomonas on a dishcloth?

Aaahh I love the smell of pseudomonas in the morning.😂😂

Daytimetellyqueen · 18/01/2026 10:34

CrowMate · 18/01/2026 09:42

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

Me too.

SquigglePigs · 18/01/2026 10:33

Mostly yes, but only because if I scoop them all up they're a load on their own.

DD's extra towel from swimming just goes in a general tumble load the next day though.

HeadyLamarr · 18/01/2026 10:32

They go in with whatever I'm washing. Every now and again I'll do all of them at once on a 60⁰ wash, line dried.

Although chance would be a fine thing in this weather.

Paramaribo2025 · 18/01/2026 10:32

I wash them at 60 with other cloths, pillow cases, socks and underwear.
40 degrees is not hot enough to kill bacteria.

CoolPlayer · 18/01/2026 10:31

Separate on a hot wash, easily makes up a full load for us though with just towels

aWeeCornishPastie · 18/01/2026 10:29

No I don’t

Sahara123 · 18/01/2026 10:29

JacknDiane · 18/01/2026 09:40

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

I’m the same, if it all
comes out smelling fresh and looking clean I’m happy ! No thought given to bacteria. They’re everywhere.

Kitchenbattle · 18/01/2026 10:29

Chataigne · 18/01/2026 10:28

This. It's only a matter of time until some smart entrepreneur starts selling home autoclaves

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😂😂😂

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 18/01/2026 10:29

Mine do usually go in a separate white wash, since towels are all white. Often with white bath mats.

But then unlike some MNers, I don’t wash towels after every 1 or 2 uses.

Chataigne · 18/01/2026 10:28

LilyCanna · 18/01/2026 10:16

Do you really think that the bacteria that would survive a normal lower temperature washing machine cycle (assuming the towel looks and smells clean at the end of it) would be a threat to human health?
We have bacteria all over our skin, and loads of essential bacteria in our gut. Our bodies are ecosystems with about the same number of bacteria as human cells (because the bacteria are 1/100 - 1/1000 as big).
Unless someone in the family has a bug and you’re sharing towels you will be just fine with non-sterile towels.

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This. It's only a matter of time until some smart entrepreneur starts selling home autoclaves

Ruggerlass · 18/01/2026 10:28

Yes as I do them at 60°.

Createausername1970 · 18/01/2026 10:28

Most clothes have a 40 wash. I like towels, tea towels, undies and DS work clothes to have 60.

So the towels do go in with other stuff at 60.

aintnospringchicken · 18/01/2026 10:26

Yes,I always wash towels separately.They make up a full load when you’ve got a couple of bath sheets,a bath towel and hand towels, Also I wash my towels at a higher temperature than the rest of my washing.

MerlinsButler · 18/01/2026 10:25

Yes because I don’t use fabric conditioner on towels and I wash them at 60 degrees.

Placestogo · 18/01/2026 10:25

In an ideal world i would wash them separately… im my 3kids a full time job world, they go in with the whites always at 60degrees

sharkyroy · 18/01/2026 10:24

Sometimes, not always, It really depends on how much washing I have whether i make an extra load or not

Kitchenbattle · 18/01/2026 10:24

LilyCanna · 18/01/2026 10:16

Do you really think that the bacteria that would survive a normal lower temperature washing machine cycle (assuming the towel looks and smells clean at the end of it) would be a threat to human health?
We have bacteria all over our skin, and loads of essential bacteria in our gut. Our bodies are ecosystems with about the same number of bacteria as human cells (because the bacteria are 1/100 - 1/1000 as big).
Unless someone in the family has a bug and you’re sharing towels you will be just fine with non-sterile towels.

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This, although people get very confused between sanitising, disinfecting and sterilising. We will never be sterilising at home. 😂 we are sanitising. And disinfecting if we use agents such as bleach etc.

Sahara123 · 18/01/2026 10:23

LilyCanna · 18/01/2026 10:08

Just what I was wondering. I usually wash on 30C 2hr cycle and if anything needs an extra cleaning boost it will be t shirts with sweat and deodorant, maybe the odd food stain on clothes, not towels that have only been used to dry my clean body after a shower!
I suppose damp towels hanging around can get a bit musty but we have a heated towel rail which seems to prevent that as they dry quicker.

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I agree. I suppose I don’t think of washing clothes etc as killing bacteria, just that it’s getting them clean. I’d say we’re a pretty healthy household too, very rarely do any of us get colds, flu, vomit bugs etc. one daughter did get a cold a couple of months ago, no one else caught it however so I must be doing something right!

Mosaic123 · 18/01/2026 10:23

Yes because they are red.

I let them dry in the bathroom. I don't have a second set.

isitmytime · 18/01/2026 10:22

Yes, I wash them on a hotter wash and I don’t use fabric softener on towels and cloths so they’re more absorbent.

Kassamungo · 18/01/2026 10:21

Always separate with capful of dettol and at 60 degrees - other clothes not washed at 60 hence separate wash