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It might seem like a timesaver, but is it a good idea?

| By Kit Kilroy | Journal

Can You Wash Sheets and Towels Together?

It might seem like a timesaver, but is it a good idea?

Washing bed sheets and towels together might seem like a timesaver, but is it a good idea? The short answer is – it depends!

Various factors like the size of your washing machine, the types of fabrics you're washing, the colours of the fabrics and more all play a role in deciding whether you can get it all done in one go, or if separate washes are your best bet.

Keep reading for some helpful tips and tricks to save you time and stress on laundry day.

Check the size of your washing machine

One of the most important things to consider before laundering your bed sheets and towels together is the capacity of your washing machine. Sheets and towels are generally quite large, and this can become obvious when they're bunched up inside your washing machine. Of course, overstuffing your washing machine can prevent your sheets and towels from being cleaned properly and can even cause the washing machine’s spin cycle to malfunction.

One way you can get an idea of the size of your washing machine is to look up its load capacity in its product specifications. Capacity is often listed by washing machine retailers and manufacturers in kilograms or cubic feet, and these are good measurements to abide by to get an optimal wash for your linens.

For smaller, front-loading washing machines of between 6 to 7 kg capacity, one set of queen-sized bed sheets plus four pillowcases is generally the most linen you'll want to do in one load to get the best results. If this is the kind of machine you own or use, it's most likely the best idea to wash your sheets and towels separately.

For larger machines, including top-loading washing machines, you can easily wash your fitted sheet, top sheet and 6 pillowcases at once and still expect a thorough clean. Larger heavy-duty machines, like 14 kg capacity top-loader machines, can usually wash your bed sheets, a light duvet cover and a few hand towels or wash towels in the same load. Heavy towels should generally be washed in different loads as your fitted sheets and top sheets, as these items can easily become very heavy in the machine and need lots of water to clean them properly.

Abiding by your machine's load capacity is a good general rule to follow when figuring out how much to wash at once. And it also ensures you get fresh sheets and clean towels from every wash!

Washing different materials together

Whenever you're washing laundry, it's also important to pay attention to the specific care instructions of your linens, as each fabric type might require its own washing method. This can make it tricky to fit multiple types of laundry in the same laundry load. If unsure, check the retailer websites or care labels attached to your bedding and towels, as these will tell you the recommended washing instructions and the best method to follow to clean your bed linens, towels and more.

Bed sheets and bath towels

French flax linen bed sheets and cotton bath towels often have different care needs, so the best way to wash these items is separately. In general, linen sheets and cotton towels must be washed at different temperatures. 

Bath towels and kitchen towels are best washed at higher temperatures. Most call for hot cycles and a normal detergent. If washing kitchen towels or beach towels, you may need to use heavy-duty detergent. Similarly, if you're trying to brighten up your white towels, you may want to add a bit of bleach or whitening powder.

High-quality flax linen sheets, on the other hand, are best washed at a lower water temperature, like a cold water cycle, using a mild detergent and a gentle or delicate cycle. You should avoid using bleach with linen – especially when it's coloured. For a more linen-friendly bleach alternative for white linen sheets, some people reach for white vinegar, diluted in hot water.

While washing towels and sheets together might save you time, it can cause more harm than good given these differences. Because of the different water temperatures, detergent types, and wash times that towels and linen sheets require, it's usually best to wash these items in separate loads. Not only will this keep both your sheets and towels clean, but it will also avoid any potential damage to either material.

What about bed sheets and heavy blankets?

If you're washing heavier blankets and comforters made from natural fibres (think wool and cotton) or synthetic materials (polyester blends), cool water or warm water cycles are ideal for getting the most out of your wash. Even though you can wash these different materials at similar temperatures, different fabrics tend to retain water in unique ways. Even among bedding made from similar materials, water retention can vary dramatically from one fabric to another. This means that when compared with bed sheets, thickly woven or layered blankets generally need larger volumes of water to ensure all the detergent is properly rinsed out.

To summarise, it's fine to wash your dirty sheets, blankets and towels together if you've got an especially spacious washing machine, and the items you're cleaning have similar care instructions.

If not, your best bet is to put your sheets and blankets in separate laundry loads to ensure they get proper care. While this can take more time, it's the best way to keep your bed sheets and blankets in good shape for longer.

More water helps soften your linens

French flax linen sheets are famous for the fabric's ability to get softer with every wash. This is all thanks to the highly absorbent properties of linen and the natural pectins in the fabric. Whenever you wash your linen sheets, these pectins break down and wash away, leaving your sheets feeling softer and softer.

Washing your linens either in a large washing machine or on their own can help speed up this process, as more water generally means more pectins can dissolve and wash out of your linens. Not only is this a good reason to wash linen bed sheets separately from towels, but it also means that there's no need to use chemical fabric softener when you wash your sheets. In fact, artificial fabric softeners can cling to the linen fibres and build up over time as a residue, leaving your linens less absorbent and comfortable.

You can also add about half a cup of baking soda to your laundry cycle to help soften up your linens. This simple trick effectively balances the pH level of the water in your machine, helping to rinse out excess detergent and minerals and keep your linens feeling luxuriously soft and fresh.

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