The myth that bed linen cannot be washed with towels
Short answer: You can wash bed linen and towels together, as long as they take the same temperature and are roughly the same colour. The real issues are usually lint, weight and space in the machine rather than mixing them.
Where the advice comes from
The advice to keep bed linen and towels apart has good reasons behind it. Terry towels shed lint, especially when new, and that lint can cling to smooth fabrics. Towels are also heavy when wet and can unbalance the machine. But that does not mean it is forbidden. With a little thought they can easily be washed together, saving both time and water on a busy week.
Check temperature and colour
The first thing to look at is the care label. If the bed linen and towels take the same temperature, they can be washed together. Viscose from bamboo is usually washed at a lower temperature than heavy cotton. In that case the whole load should follow the most delicate item. Keep light and dark colours apart, especially for the first few washes, when new textiles may release dye. See bamboo bedding.
Lint and smooth fabrics
New towels shed the most lint. Wash them on their own a few times before mixing them with anything else. Smooth and dark fabrics show lint most clearly. Turn duvet covers and pillowcases inside out and close the buttons, so towels do not end up inside them and any lint stays on the inside. Clean the lint filter in the washing machine and dryer regularly. The same applies to T-shirts, which are often washed with towels. See bamboo T-shirts for men.
Mind the space in the machine
Bed linen takes up a lot of room, and towels weigh a lot. If too much goes in, the water cannot circulate and the load does not get clean. Large items can also wrap around each other and come out badly creased. A good rule is to fill the drum about three quarters full so there is room for movement. If the machine becomes unbalanced during the spin, spread the load out better or take something out.
Drying
Towels dry more slowly than bed linen. If they are dried together in a tumble dryer, the sheets will be dry long before the towels. Take the bed linen out first so it does not get overdried and stiff. On a washing line it is easier, because each item dries at its own pace. Smooth the bed linen with your hands as you hang it up. That leaves fewer creases, and it will not need ironing afterwards.
How often
Bed linen is usually changed every week or every other week, and towels after three or four uses, or more often if they do not dry fully in between. Damp towels can quickly start to smell. It helps to have two sets of each, so one can be in the wash while the other is in use. Many brands, such as Turiform, state clearly how their textiles should be washed, which makes sorting the laundry easier.
Frequently asked questions
Can bed linen and towels be washed together
Yes, if they take the same temperature and are roughly the same colour. New towels should be washed on their own first, though.
How do you avoid lint on bed linen
Wash new towels on their own a few times, turn covers inside out and clean the lint filter.
How full should the machine be
About three quarters full, so the water can circulate and the load can move.
See our range of bamboo towels.
