The One Laundry Mistake Almost Everybody Makes—And Why It’s a Bigger Problem Than You Probably Think
As someone who often writes about cleaning and home organization, I’ll admit that I sometimes try to cut corners with my laundry. I’ve “forgotten” to fully separate dark and light clothes, and there are times I’ve packed my washer so full, it’s like I’m daring it to malfunction.
To be fair, I’ve shrunk enough T-shirts over time that I’ve (more or less) learned my lesson. But there’s one mistake that I’ve continued to make over the years because I labor under the delusion that it’s actually a smart move because it saves some water and detergent.
Alas, it is not a smart move. I spoke to three laundry experts about one of the biggest laundry mistakes that I frequently make—and you likely do too. Suffice it to say, I’ve been schooled, and my laundry routine will be changing moving forward.
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What laundry mistake are most people guilty of making?
If you wash towels mixed in with the rest of your laundry, I hate to break it to you, but we are partners in laundry crime.
I know, I know: It doesn’t seem like the worst thing possible. It’s not like you’re washing a white towel with a red T-shirt, right? But there are a number of good reasons you shouldn’t ever wash towels with clothes, even if the rest of your sorting game is on point.
Why is washing towels and clothing together such a problem?
It might seem like the ultimate laundry shortcut or like you’re doing a good thing by conserving energy and water, but you’re doing a bad thing for your laundry—on multiple levels. “I don’t recommend washing towels and clothing in the same load because it’s not ideal for either one,” says Viviana Holguin, the people experience leader at Maid Brigade in Westchester, New York.
Here are four reasons this sets you up for a laundry-day fail.
You’ll risk bacterial cross-contamination
Washing towels with clothes is not a good hygienic practice. “People often think that their towels are super clean because they are only getting used when you’re fresh out of the shower, and so you’re clean,” says Logan Taylor, president and training program designer of the Dazzle Cleaning Company, a Seattle-based, LGBTQ-inclusive cleaning company. “But actually, towels are a hotbed for bacteria, way more than your clothes, because they’re just so absorbent.” Bathrooms aren’t always well ventilated, he adds, so washing towels separately will help prevent that bacterial transfer.
And if it’s kitchen towels that are in question, you risk the spread of any bleach-based cleanser residue to the rest of your laundry. But even worse than bleach spots on your favorite T-shirt is the spread of foodborne pathogens like salmonella—a distinct possibility if you wipe your hands on said towel after preparing poultry.
You won’t get a deep clean
“Usually [towels and clothes] are best when washed on different settings—and sometimes even with different products,” says Taylor. In particular, you should be careful when adding fabric softener to towels because it will make the fabric less absorbent.
You could damage your clothes
“Towels are bulky and absorbent, so they need more water and agitation to get fully clean,” says Holguin. “Clothing, especially lighter fabrics, doesn’t need that much—and can actually get tangled or stretched out when washed with heavy items like towels.”
Mixing laundry is even worse when new towels are involved, according to Noemy Sibrian, field manager at Avanti Green Eco Cleaning. “Usually, new towels shed lint. That lint will stick to your clothes, especially darker fabrics,” she says.
The wrong water temperature can cause color fading and shrinkage
Water temperature is also an issue. “It’s usually recommended that you wash towels in hot water,” Taylor says. “Clothes are much more likely to be washed in cold water.” If you put the clothes in at a higher temperature, they might shrink, fade and just look worn more quickly than if you separate the laundry loads.
Can you ever wash these items together?
It’s your clothes, your rules. But if you decide to go rogue on laundry day, the experts say to plan for damage control.
- Wash towels only with sturdy clothes. No delicates, says Holguin, but you can get away with heftier items like jeans or gym clothes.
- Turn clothes inside out. Taylor recommends this to protect the exterior from damage or discoloration. According to Sibrian, “a mesh laundry bag will do wonders.”
- Stick with similar colors. This is a good rule of thumb no matter what type of laundry you’re doing, but it’s especially good if you’re using anything but cold water.
- Use a cool setting. Again, while towels are best washed on hot for sanitizing power, Taylor notes that it’s better to wash towels in cold water than clothes in hot water.
- Don’t overload the washer. “Towels are heavy and need room,” says Holguin.
- Use the right detergent. The experts like a detergent that rinses clean, with no fragrance or color. Taylor recommends Tide Free & Gentle.
- Skip the fabric softener. Taylor says fabric softener makes towels less absorbent.
Where do linens fit into all of this?
Sheets and linens deserve a wash cycle of their own too. Now, there’s no one really stopping you from tossing in your sheets with towels or clothes, but laundry experts (and now myself) would advise you to refrain from doing so.
“Washing sheets and towels together is not a good idea, but it is better than mixing them with clothes,” says Sibrian. “Since towels are heavier, they will wrap around sheets and will prevent a thorough cleaning.” The same goes for mixing sheets and clothes; your clothes won’t get fully cleaned, Sibrian explains.
Is mixing them in the dryer also a problem?
If you’re hoping all your mixed-laundry issues will come out in the wash—or rather, the dryer—they won’t. “Towels take longer to dry,” says Sibrian. “If you dry towels, linens and clothes together, the towels will remain damp, or the clothes will get over-dried, causing them to shrink in some cases.” Towels also create static and shed lint, both of which will damage clothes.
Holguin notes that any items that don’t fully dry can even get that musty smell, which means you’ll likely have to do your laundry all over again. So it’s definitely worth it to do this right in the first place. Remember that the next time you’re considering a shortcut.
About the experts
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece, Barbara Bellesi Zito tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who covers home topics, including cleaning and laundry. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Viviana Holguin, people experience leader at Maid Brigade and blogger at Who Likes It Dirty?; email interview, April 22, 2025
- Logan Taylor, president and training program designer of the Dazzle Cleaning Company; phone interview, April 22, 2025
- Noemy Sibrian, field manager at Avanti Green Eco Cleaning; email interview, April 22, 2025
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