Can You Wash Sheets and Towels Together?

It’s tempting to put sheets and towels into the washing machine together. They’re both household linens, they may be the same color, and combining them can save an extra load of laundry. But while you technically can wash sheets and towels together, it isn’t always the best way to care for them.

Sheets and towels have different weights, textures, and drying needs. Washing them separately can help both stay softer, cleaner, and in better condition over time.

Here’s what to consider before putting everything into the same load.

Sheets and Towels Behave Differently in the Wash

The biggest difference comes down to weight and construction.

Sheets are relatively lightweight and need room to move freely through the water. Towels are thicker, heavier, and designed to absorb a significant amount of moisture. Once wet, they become even heavier.

When the two are washed together, bulky towels can wrap around sheets or prevent them from moving freely. This can make it more difficult for water and detergent to circulate evenly through the load.

Giving each type of linen enough space in the washing machine allows for a more thorough wash and rinse.

Towels Can Create More Friction

Bath towels are designed with loops that create softness and absorbency. Those same loops also create more texture than the smooth surface of most sheets.

During a wash cycle, towels and sheets continuously move against one another. Over time, the additional friction can contribute to wear on more delicate bedding and may encourage pilling, particularly if the machine is overloaded.

Washing similar fabrics together is generally a gentler approach. Sheets can move alongside other sheets, while towels can be washed with other bath linens of similar weight and construction.

There’s Also the Question of Lint

New towels in particular can release quite a bit of lint during washing and drying.

When towels are washed with sheets, some of that lint can transfer onto the bedding. It may be especially noticeable on smooth sheets or when light and dark linens are mixed together.

As towels are washed repeatedly, shedding typically becomes less noticeable, but keeping sheets and towels separate remains an easy way to avoid unnecessary lint transfer.

They May Need Different Wash Settings

Another reason to separate the two is that sheets and towels do not always have identical care requirements.

The appropriate water temperature, wash cycle, and detergent amount depend on the fabric and the manufacturer's care instructions. Fine sheets may benefit from a gentler approach, while heavily used bath towels sometimes require a different wash routine.

Before washing any linen, check its care label rather than assuming all cotton items should be treated the same way.

Separating loads gives you more control over how each item is cared for.

Towels Usually Take Longer to Dry

Even if sheets and towels can share a wash cycle, drying them together can be inconvenient.

Sheets generally dry faster because they are lighter and thinner. Towels retain considerably more moisture and need additional time to dry completely.

When everything goes into the dryer together, the sheets may already be dry while the towels are still damp. Continuing to run the dryer until the towels are finished can expose the sheets to unnecessary heat and tumbling.

Drying them separately allows you to remove each load when it is ready rather than overdrying one fabric for the sake of another.

If You Do Wash Them Together

Sometimes combining a load is simply more practical. If you do wash sheets and towels together, a few small choices can help.

Avoid overloading the machine so everything has enough room to move. Keep similar colors together, use an appropriate amount of mild detergent, and always follow the care instructions for the most delicate item in the load.

It is also better to avoid washing fine bedding with brand-new towels that are still shedding heavily.

Once the wash is finished, consider separating the sheets and towels for drying so each can be removed at the appropriate time.

What About White Sheets and White Towels?

The fact that both are white doesn’t necessarily mean they should automatically be washed together.

Sorting by color is useful, but fabric type and weight matter too. A load of white sheets will generally wash more evenly with other bedding, while white towels can be grouped with similar bath linens.

This also makes it easier to adjust the wash and drying routine according to the needs of each fabric.

A Better Routine for Your Linens

For everyday care, washing sheets with sheets and towels with towels is usually the better choice. It reduces friction, helps each load wash and dry more evenly, and allows you to follow the appropriate care routine for each type of linen.

It doesn’t mean that an occasional combined load will ruin your bedding. The difference is more about what happens over months and years of regular washing.

Thoughtful washing, gentle drying, and a little attention to how different fabrics are treated can help bedding and bath linens remain comfortable and beautiful for longer.

When in doubt, give your sheets and towels their own load. Both will be better for it.