'Spreads bacteria': The towel-washing faux pas we're all guilty of
We can all agree laundry is one of the most complex and tiresome household tasks.
What clothing to wash in which water temperature, which items to separate, what products to use with different fabrics; it's a chore that runs the risk of confusing even the most well-versed of washers.
But now, according to an expert, there may be yet another laundry faux pas we've been committing all along.
According to an expert, towels should always be washed separately from regular clothing. Getty Images/iStockphoto
If you're anything like me, you've been guilty of cramming all your washing – towels and all – into one single, time-saving load, but according to CottageCare cleaning expert Scott Schrader, that shortcut can actually backfire.
While it may seem pedantic to some, Schrader says washing your towels separately is the move that makes all the difference to the hygiene and longevity of your clothing.
Speaking to Real Simple, Schrader said due to their constant transition from wet to dry, towels harbour more bacteria than the average laundry item.
On a day-to-day basis they absorb a veritable cocktail of body oils, dead skin and product residue, all of which runs the risk of transferring onto other items when washed together.
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Towels require a longer cycle and hotter water than most clothing can tolerate. Getty
He also stated that for this reason, hotter water than most clothing could tolerate was required to give towels a deeper clean.
"When you wash towels separately, you have the ability to use hotter water and longer cycles towels need."
He added that getting into the habit of breaking up your loads would ultimately ensure the integrity of your clothing overtime.
"When you wash towels with lightweight fabrics, the lighter fabric will wear out faster, and it will be covered in lint every time."
And in a recent post to social media platform X, user _sorrengailll stirred up debate in her comments by matter-of-factly stating; "oh and towels are not to be washed with clothes."
This proved polarising, with one commenter stating they wouldn't be changing their ways anytime soon; "I will continue to do as usual and no one will die."
Another chastised the wastage involved in running separate loads.
The question of whether towels and clothing can be washed together has sparked debate on X. Getty
"Girl, I'm throwing all that s--- in. Wasting water and detergent? No."
But others were quick to express their support for the concept, going on to reaffirm Schrader's thoughts on the matter.
One X user believed "this should not even be controversial."
"Washing towels with clothes spreads all that [bacteria] onto everything else. Towels need hotter water and their own cycle. Separate them and your clothes will last longer."
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