To save resources, bed linen and towels are often washed together. In some cases the combined wash cycle is really the best solution, but in others it is not recommended. The right process prevents germ formation and saves detergent.
Washing bed linen and towels together: What should you pay attention to?
For now: In principle, you can wash bed linen and towels together. However, whether you end up with really clean laundry depends on the material, temperature and washing program. And here comes the problem - because the textiles of bed linen and towels are actually so different that they also have different washing requirements.
What should you pay attention to when washing?
- The right temperature:Bed linen made of microfiber or jersey fabric can and should best be washed at 60°. Linen or satin fabrics, on the other hand, often have the symbol for delicate washing - this means that they are washed at a maximum of 30°. To still prevent germ formation, you can add a hygiene rinse to the detergent. Towels can all be easily washed at 60°. Hence the rule of thumb - towels and bed linen made from the same material or with the same care label requirements can be washed together. However, delicate textiles should always be washed separately.
- How often to wash?Bed linen is washed once a week, towels should be changed every 2 to 3 days. It's best not to throw the towels in the laundry basket, but rather wash them immediately after changing them.
- Which colors to combine?Furthermore, you should only combine textiles in similar colors. White towels and bed linen are washed together, colored linen is washed separately.
Washing bed linen and towels together: That speaks against it!
There are several arguments against a combined wash cycle. In some cases this is not recommended. For example:
1. The different weights of the textiles make it difficult to load the washing machine. Bed linen needs more than a hand's width of space so that it can be washed properly. It is also often spun at a maximum of 1000 revolutions. In contrast, you should choose a speed between 1200 and 1600 for towels so that they dry quickly after washing.
2. The towels are often dirtier than the bed linen - you often have to remove various stains or get rid of oily substances. However, this is not possible when washing at 40 degrees Celsius.
3. Some towels cause lint when washed at high temperatures or spun at more than 1200 revolutions. They should therefore be sorted out and washed separately. Smooth fabrics could attract the lint and this can then be difficult to remove.
4. If bed linen and towels are washed at temperatures that are too high, they can shrink. This could be a big problem, especially with fitted sheets. You can try thatIron fitted sheetsor to pull something when wet.
5. Combined washing cycles often result in the washing machine being overloaded. The consequences quickly become noticeable - the bed linen and towels get tangled together and are difficult to sort out again.
By the way, bed linen and towels/bath towels/bath towels should definitely be dried separately. Otherwise there is a risk that some of the textiles will burn and others will remain wet.
Conclusion
You can wash bed linen and moderately soiled towels together as long as the textiles have similar temperature and washing requirements. However, you should divide the laundry into white laundry and colored laundry and wash and dry delicate fabrics separately.
Also read: “Handkerchief washed with you: What to do if there are annoying residues such as paper lint on the laundry?”
