Washing towels with clothes is generally not recommended for several reasons:
Lint Transfer: Towels are known to shed lint during washing and drying. If you wash towels with clothes, the lint can transfer onto the clothing, making them look less clean and affecting their appearance.
Abrasion and Wear: Towels are typically made from thicker and coarser fabrics to provide better absorbency. Washing them with clothes, especially delicate fabrics like silk or thin materials, can lead to abrasion and wear on the clothes, causing them to age faster.
Uneven Drying: Towels tend to take longer to dry compared to most clothing items due to their thickness. When washed together, the towels might still be damp while the clothes are dry, leading to an inefficient drying process.
Hygiene and Odor: Towels are often used to dry off after bathing, and they can accumulate body oils, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Washing towels with clothes can transfer these contaminants to the garments, potentially causing hygiene issues and unpleasant odors.
Color Bleeding: New towels, especially those with strong or deep colors, may release some dye during the initial washes. Washing towels with clothes can result in color bleeding, staining the clothes with the released dye.
Load Balance and Efficiency: Washing towels separately allows you to balance the load appropriately in the washing machine. Towels take up more space and are heavier when wet, so washing them separately ensures a more efficient wash cycle.
To maintain the quality and hygiene of both towels and clothes, it's best to wash them separately. If you have limited laundry loads and need to wash clothes and towels together, make sure to sort them properly by color, fabric type, and level of dirtiness to minimize potential issues. Using cold water and a gentle cycle can also help reduce some of the problems associated with washing towels with clothes.