Can You Wash Sheets & Towels Together?

Not sure if you can wash sheets and towels together? Learn the expert-recommended laundry practices to avoid fabric damage, color bleeding, and poor drying. CleanFold Laundry explains when it’s safe to combine loads—and when to keep sheets and towels separate for the best cleaning results.

CleanFold Team
July 3, 2025

Have you ever stood in front of piles of unwashed clothes, wondering whether you can toss your towels and sheets together in the washer? Well, you are not the only one struggling to find the answer to it. Many homes stack loads together to save time, water, and energy. But the question arises, Is that the best laundry habit?

Today, we’re exploring deep into this universal laundry confusion. No matter if you’re a first-year college student doing laundry for the first time or an experienced home manager, this article is packed with laundry advice on bedding, tips on washing towels and linens, and answers to the burning question – Can you wash towels and sheets together?

Continue with us as we answer in detail, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of doing so with the help of CleanFold laundry experts.

Why Do People Combine Sheets And Towels?

There are several reasons individuals usually do laundry with sheets and towels together, some of them are:

It saves time as less loads equals quicker laundry. You have to wash comparatively less load cycles.
It’s more energy efficient as it fills washer space and saves on utility bills.
It makes sense because apparently they both are big household items, so why not wash them together?

But the question arises here: is convenience always the best option? Or Do only the aforementioned points matter and not the longevity of the fabric?

The Quick Reply: Can You Mix Sheets And Towels Together?

No, you shouldn’t mix towels and sheets together. Though convenient, washing them together can lead to fabric wear, poor cleaning, and faster deterioration.

Towels And Sheets Have Different Fabric Weight

Towels are dense, heavy, and made to absorb water. On the contrary, sheets are light, less absorbent, and smooth. When you opt to wash them together, there might be chances:

Towels will wrap around sheets which could hinder the thorough cleaning process.
The irregular or unequal weight could make sheets knot, which produces uneven drying and even growth of mildew if left moist.

Best practices for laundry recommend sorting your laundry based on fabric, color, and weight. This maintains your washer in balance and your linens in longer-lasting condition.

Difference Of Drying Time

Towels dry more slowly because they are thicker. Sheets, however, are thinner and therefore dry quicker. When you dry them together:

Sheets will over-dry and weaken the fabric.
Towels will be left with a dampness that fosters the growth of bacteria or mildew.

If you want to maximize the lifespan of your household fabrics, then separating them while drying is the answer.

Potential for Fabric Damage

Combining various fabrics creates friction. The coarse texture of towels can irritate your sheet fibers. Not only will this create pilling, but it can also result in:

Eventually tearing or thinning out of sheets.
The sheet surfaces become rougher.
Color transfer in certain instances results in color fade or ruining the visual appeal of both articles.

These are typical predicted causes of fabric damage that are particularly evident in high-thread-count or delicate sheets.

Imbalance Laundry Weight

Overloading your washing machine with bulky towels and long sheets can upset the drum’s balance. That can lead to:

Noisy spin cycles due to overloaded clothes.
Poor rinsing performance as clothes will get tangled hence making the cleaning process inefficient.
Long-term damage to your machine as it could also start malfunctioning due to overload.

For best washer performance, keep your loads the same in texture and weight.

Color Bleeding Risks

Mixing sheets and towels could increase the risk of color bleed and you will end up with ruined clothes rather than the cleaner ones.

Separate whites, darks, and colors to prevent dye transfer.
New towels, particularly dark or brightly colored towels, can bleed dye onto lighter sheets.

Dirt Level And Hygiene

It is observed very often that towels have a higher level of dirt and soil as compared to sheets. Hence washing them together could result in:

Towels tend to have higher bacterial loads, oils, and dampness than sheets. Hence neither one of them would get perfectly clean.
When washing together, use hot water (130°F or greater) to thoroughly destroy germs.

Best Laundry Practices For Washing Sheets And Towels

To avoid fabric damage and maintain clean linens, use these laundry tips for bedding and towels:

Sort by Fabric Type & Color

Wash light-colored linens and towels together.
Toss dark or bold-colored linens in a separate load.
Don’t mix fine sheets (such as silk or satin) with heavy towels.

Use the Proper Water Temperature

Hot water (130°F+) is ideal for sanitizing towels and stripping body oils.
Warm water is ideal for cotton sheets to avoid shrinkage.
Cold water is best for colors and fine fabrics.

Select a Mild, Effective Detergent

Don’t use harsh detergents containing bleach when washing colored linens.
Use oxygen-based bleach on whites rather than chlorine bleach.

Don’t Overload the Washer

Leave sufficient space for adequate agitation and rinsing.
Overcrowding may result in insufficient cleaning and too many wrinkles.

Skip Towel Fabric Softener

Fabric softener covers towel fibers, making them less absorbent.
Use white vinegar in the rinse cycle to naturally soften fabrics.

Dry Properly to Avoid Mildew Odors

Dry on medium heat in the dryer for sheets and towels.
Remove as soon as possible to prevent wrinkles and mildew.

Hang towels outside in sunlight from time to time for freshness and prevent fabric damage.

When Should You Not Wash Sheets And Towels Together

Although it’s okay, sometimes you must not wash them together. Enlisted below are the situations where you must avoid washing them simultaneously.

New towels as they might bleed color.
Luxury or delicate sheets (such as Egyptian cotton or bamboo).
Very dirty towels (gym towels, makeup spots).
Small or narrow washing machines (lack of space for effective cleaning).
New sheets, specifically the ones that are darker in color.

Also ensure that you wash baby clothes and articles of clothing for sensitive people separately and not with towels as it may enhance the chances of germ transfer and allergies.

Alternative Laundry Tips for Bedding & Towels

If you don’t want to co-mingle towels and sheets, but want to wash more clothes in one cycle, here are some other ways you can do it:

Wash towels with other towels (bath towels, hand towels, washcloths).
Wash sheets on their own (fitted sheet, flat sheet, pillowcases).
Use laundry bags for delicate items to minimize friction. For instance, you may wash your silk top in Laundry bag along with sheets.

By adapting these measures you may lessen or minimize the chances of damage that may occur by washing both towels and sheets together.

Need Professional Laundry Help? CleanFold Laundry Has Got You Covered

CleanFold Laundry offers exceptional, soft, and careful cleaning of all your towels and linens. From wash-and-fold services, and stain treatments, to expert care for all fabrics, we make sure your laundry gets returned to you fresh, soft, and immaculately clean.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I keep mixing towels and sheets in one washing load?

By doing so, you will risk pilling, tears, and a shortened life of fabric. They will soon start looking faded or old. Also, there would be a chance that their color would bleed and ruin the visual appeal of other items.

Isn't it more energy-efficient to mix sheets and towels both in one washing load?

Although it may seem energy-efficient for a short span, in the longer run it would end up ruining your clothes and malfunctioning of the appliance due to overload and weight imbalance.

Can I wash towels with other clothes, if not with sheets?

It is recommended to wash towels separately as they are thick and require a heavy-duty cycle. It could also accelerate lint building on other clothes.

Can I use Vinegar when washing jeans?

Yes, Vinegar helps in blocking the color bleed while neutralizing the odor.