Hot water is the most hygienic option for towels. Washing in cold water is sometimes recommended to extend the life of towels, but to clean towels thoroughly, we'd advise using the maximum temperature shown on the label.
Towels should be washed in the warmest water appropriate for the fabric according to the care label. Generally, warm or hot water is recommended for washing towels. Use a cycle specifically for towels or a normal/regular cycle.
Hot? Despite popular belief, washing your towels with cold water is the best way to keep them clean, soft and fluffy. Washing your towels in cold water will also help you save up to three-quarters of the energy you would have used had you chosen hot water.
If it's too full, there won't be enough space for the cycle to fully clean the clothes and if it's under filled, the linen may break down faster meaning you'll have to buy new towels sooner rather than later. For household washing machines, the best temperature to wash towels at is at around 40 degrees.
'Yes, towels should be washed in hot water to kill any bacteria or germs that may be present,' says Basit, a home expert from Kitchen Strategist. 'Hot water will also help to remove any dirt or grime that may be on the towel and is more effective than cold water at removing these things from fabrics.
Should we wash towels or underwear at higher temperatures? "Clothes washed at 30C and below will come out clean," says cleaning guru Stephanie Zia, "but dust mites, pet allergens, mould spores, pollen and bacteria will be completely removed only by heat – ie, at 60C plus.
A good temperature for washing towels and sheets is 40 degrees, but a 60 degreewash will be better at killing germs. Changing your sheets and towels once a week can help to keep them fresh and clean**. Use ourlaundry tips section for guidelines on different fabrics.
According to the NHS you should wash household linen, towels and underwear at a temperature of 60°C to prevent any germs spreading. There is a misconception that you must wash clothes on the highest setting possible to kill bacteria, but it is proven that 60°C is adequate.
Recommended Washing Instructions for Towels
The NHS also recommends washing shared towels at 60 degrees. This needs to be combined with a good detergent to effectively kill germs.
Although lower temperature washing is favoured for environmental reasons, for bedding it's best to stick to 60°C, this will help kill dust mites and bacteria. It's hard enough to keep bacteria and germs at bay, but if you eat in bed, there's a chance you're making it an even bigger breeding ground.
Wash Every Few Days
The best way to wash colored towels is with warm water and color-safe bleach, if necessary. For white towels, use hot water and non-chlorine bleach as needed. White towels should be washed separately or with other white items to avoid subtle discoloration over time.
Here's a quick guide to common towel temperatures: Coloured 100% Egyptian cotton towels wash best at 40 degrees – but avoid going above 60. White 100% Egyptian cotton towels will need a 90 degree wash. Fleecy bathrobes are best washed at 40 degrees.
The NHS advises washing all towels at 60°C, or 40°C if you're using a bleach-based laundry product, to prevent germs from spreading. Dr Ackerley believes the hotter the wash, the better. “Towels should be washed at above 60°C to ensure that bacteria and fungi are killed,” she says.
“Most towels (cotton) and cotton sheets can typically be washed in hot water and polyester sheets in warm water,” she says. It should be noted, however, that you can wash sheets in cold water, especially if you want to prevent prints or darker colors from fading.
Warm water absorbs detergent better, in turn leaving less chemical child up on your towels, which makes them feel stiff. “Although washing your towels at higher temperatures is the most efficient way to get rid of germs, 30 or 40 degrees will still eliminate most of your bacteria and preserve your towels fibres.”
Towels are one of the most important pieces of laundry to keep clean and dry. Damp towels are vulnerable to bacterial growth, which causes that "musty" or "sour" smell. (Gross but true: That unpleasant odor is the smell of bacteria breeding.)
Joining you in bed are countless dust mites and bacteria, not to mention lots and lots of your own dead skin. Dermatologist Alok Vij, MD, says you should wash your sheets at least every two weeks — maybe more, depending on factors like whether you live in a warm climate and whether your pet sleeps in your bed.
“We recommend washing bath towels after every three uses, or at least once a week, to ensure truly clean towels,” said Kate Elks, Brooklinen director. “Brooklinen's bath offerings, including bath towels and sheets, hand towels, and washcloths, only differ in size, so you can care for them all the same way.”
The short wash time won't be enough to clean heavily soiled fabrics like underwear, bedding, and towels. Increase the dose of your detergent to quick wash for garments with tougher stains.
However, the NHS website says that underwear, towels and household linens should be washed at 60 degrees to prevent the spread of germs. The increased temperature won't kill all bacteria on its own, but when combined with a good detergent a 60-degree wash should get rid of bacterial spores and viruses.
Give towels a gentle shake when removing them from the washing machine; this will fluff the fibers and speed up the drying process. Excessive heat will damage fibers and increase the shrinkage of the towels, so tumble dry on low heat only.
As far as temperature is concerned, it is recommended to wash your towels between 40° and 60°C, not more. So make sure you keep to the correct water temperature so that our tips work as they should – your laundry will thank you! For spinning, we recommend towel washing at 1200 rpm and not at too high a temperature.
Wash your towels at 60 degrees
You should wash your towels separately the first few times and always together with similar colours. Always wash your towels at 60 degrees, which ensures that any bacteria is killed.
Skip the fabric softener every other wash to avoid waxy build-up on towels that can lead to a reduction in absorbency and softness. Do not iron towels! This heat will only damage and flatten the fabric fibers causing them to be less plush than you would like.