I try hard to keep up with household chores, but laundry always seems to be the task that slips down the priority list. When my laundry basket starts overflowing, I often fall into the habit of tossing everything together, hoping to get the loads done as quickly as possible. It feels efficient—everything goes in at once, buttons fastened, zippers zipped, laundry detergent poured, and the washer starts humming. But it turns out that not separating your laundry properly can actually be a big mistake, one that could impact both the longevity of your clothes and the cleanliness of your towels.

According to Taylor Matthews, owner of Sparkling Queens in Savannah, Georgia, and speaking to Martha Stewart, it’s generally not a good idea to wash towels together with your clothing or other linens. “For starters, your clothes and sheets will pick up lint and fibers from towels during the wash,” she explains. Towels shed fibers more than many other fabrics, and that fluff can cling to delicate clothing, leaving them looking older or fuzzier than they actually are. “Towels should ideally be washed on a heavier cycle, without fabric softener, using hot water. They also take much longer to dry, which can result in clothes shrinking if washed together,” Matthews adds. This makes sense because towels are denser and heavier than most clothing items. Treating them like your regular laundry is a shortcut that ends up costing you both time and fabric integrity.

Towels can also be rough on other fabrics. Stephanie Booth, a home cleaning and organization influencer, points out that “towels are thick and heavy, and when they’re washed alongside lightweight or delicate fabrics, the weight and movement can stretch, twist, or even tear those items.” Imagine a soft silk blouse or a knit top tangling with a thick bath towel: the friction, tugging, and weight could permanently distort the shape of the clothing, causing sagging sleeves, stretched hems, or minor tears that didn’t exist before. It’s not just about appearance—these types of damage can accumulate over time, and suddenly your favorite wardrobe pieces look worn and frayed much sooner than they should.

There’s also a hygiene factor to consider. Towels—whether bath towels, hand towels, or kitchen towels—tend to harbor more bacteria than regular clothing or bed linens. Think about it: towels often remain damp after use, creating a perfect environment for bacteria, mold, and mildew to thrive. Washing them with your other laundry could transfer germs to your clothing or bed sheets, which defeats the purpose of cleaning them in the first place. Experts generally recommend keeping towels separate from clothing and bedding whenever possible, to maintain proper hygiene and avoid cross-contamination.

When washing towels, hot water is your best bet. This helps kill germs and bacteria while also loosening oils, dirt, and soap residue trapped in the fibers. Avoid overloading the washing machine, since cramming in too much laundry prevents a thorough clean. Overstuffed machines restrict water flow, leaving towels less clean and heavier fabrics unable to rinse properly. For an extra boost, sprinkle about half a cup of baking soda in with the towels to help deodorize them and eliminate that damp, musty smell that sometimes lingers. You can also add a splash of white vinegar during the rinse cycle to maintain softness naturally, without relying on commercial fabric softeners, which can reduce the towel’s absorbency over time.

Another tip to extend the life of your towels is to separate them not only from clothing but also by color and towel type. Darker towels should be washed with other darks to avoid color transfer, and lighter towels with other lights. Wash bath towels together, hand towels together, and kitchen towels separately, as kitchen towels often accumulate oils and food residue that you don’t want transferring to your bath linens. Rotating your towel sets so that some are always in the wash and some are drying also helps prevent wear and tear on the same pieces repeatedly.

By following these tips, you can help ensure your towels, linens, and clothing all stay clean, fresh, and in great condition for a long time to come. Separating laundry might feel like an extra step, but it’s one that pays off in terms of hygiene, appearance, and longevity. After all, properly caring for your textiles means they’ll continue to serve you well, whether you’re drying off after a shower, wrapping up in bed, or tackling everyday chores. With a little attention to detail and care, you can keep both your laundry and your home running smoothly while avoiding unnecessary wear, shrinkage, and lint disasters.