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Most of us have heard that it’s more timely and energy-efficient to run only full loads of laundry. But is it safe to wash all kinds of towels together? In other words, what happens if we mix hand towels used to wipe the hands and noses of sick kids, floor mats with collected dirt from the bottom of our feet, and kitchen towels that may have wiped up raw meat juices with our cloth napkins, everyday kitchen cloths, or bath towels that touch our sensitive skin?
To answer this critical question about how to wash towels, we spoke with several laundry experts for their insights.
Germs can transfer between towels in the same load.
Dirty towels are a prime breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms since they are damp, absorbent, warm, and often hung in dark places like bathrooms. Dish towels, for example, can come in contact with raw meat and eggs that contain Salmonella and E. coli; and bath towels can harbor body oils, blood, and fecal bacteria. Unfortunately, these germs can transfer from one item to another in a laundry cycle, which means washing them together can potentially spread disease.
When the washing machine runs, microbes from soiled towels release into the surrounding water, which creates potential cross-contamination, says Joseph Passalacqua, owner and CEO of Maid Sailors in New York City. “Germ elimination depends mostly on water temperature, cycle length, and detergent quality,” he says. “Hot water (at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 degrees Celsius) reduces microbe amounts substantially.” Many washers use lower temperatures to conserve energy, so it’s important to switch to the hottest safe setting for your towels to minimize risk.
Experts recommend separating different types of towels.
It is unhygienic to wash different kinds of towels together, given their variety of uses and potential to collect and transfer germs. Passalacqua recommends dividing your laundry into three distinct categories:
- Bath, hand, and facial towels
- Kitchen linens including towels, placemats, tablecloths, and cloth napkins
- Heavily soiled cleaning materials like floor mats
“This separation during washing prevents unwanted germ transfer, as each towel type receives proper cleaning when washed with similar items,” he says.
Never launder kitchen towels and cloth napkins with bath towels or hand towels, agrees Elena Pascullo of the Wilshire Agency, a boutique domestic staffing agency based out of Los Angeles, California. “When it comes to hygiene and cross-contamination, kitchen towels and cloth napkins often contain grease, food particles, and potentially harmful bacteria from raw meat or pet-related messes.”
Illness can also play a role in knowing when to separate towels. “When it comes to hand towels and bath towels, if someone in the household has been ill, these items should be washed separately at a higher temperature with a disinfecting product to prevent germs from spreading,” says Pascullo. “For floor mats and washcloths, these items frequently pick up dirt, bacteria, and, sometimes, mold spores from damp bathrooms. They should be laundered separately to ensure thorough cleaning.”
Run cleaning cycles with vinegar or bleach to maintain your washing machine.
In addition to separating different types of towels, it’s helpful to clean your washing machine when needed. Modern front-loader washing machines can develop an odor and biofilm—a layer where bacteria grow—in drums, seals, and water passages. “Running a cleaning cycle after washing heavily soiled loads helps maintain your machine,” says Passalacqua. “This ensures future loads come out properly sanitized.”
“Clean your washing machine by running it empty with hot water plus half a cup of chlorine bleach to destroy germs,” says Passalacqua. “Alternatively, use 2 cups of white vinegar to clean and break down soap residue.” If you want to use a milder product, try commercial washing machine tablets. In addition, 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide works wonderfully as a color-safe, natural cleanser in an empty hot cycle.
Use detergents with enzymes to help kill germs.
Another important step in tackling germs is to use detergents with enzymes. “Enzyme-based detergents are often recommended for heavily soiled loads because they break down organic stains like food, body oils, and bacteria,” says Alicia Sokolowski, a cleaning and laundry expert and president and co-CEO of AspenClean in Vancouver, British Columbia. “For tough messes, look for detergents with multiple enzymes or plant-derived cleaning agents. These formulas are effective at cleaning and can help maintain hygiene, especially when washing items like kitchen towels.”
Try these additional towel hygiene tips.
Looking for more tips on how to wash towels? Here are some ideas from experts:
- Soak towels: “Before washing heavily soiled items, a 30-minute soak in oxygen bleach kicks off the sanitizing process long before the machine starts,” says Passalacqua.
- Adjust heat settings: Choose high heat settings in dryers to eliminate lingering germs.
- Capture the sun: “Hanging towels in direct sunlight harnesses natural UV rays that continue killing bacteria,” says Passalacqua.
- Dedicate hampers: When someone is sick in the household, set up a special hamper for contaminated items to create an important first line of defense from germs.
- Follow timing guidelines: Kitchen towels need to be changed daily, bath towels should be fresh every three to four uses, and hand towels require switching every one to two days, says Passalacqua. “This consistent rotation system breaks the cycle of bacteria buildup while maintaining efficient laundry practices that protect family health,” he says.
