WASHING TOWELS AND SHEETS – YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

How often should you change your bedding? How many bedsheets can go in the washing machine at once? Can I wash towels and sheets together? We’ll answer all these questions and more in this simple guide. From what setting you need to wash your sheets on to whether you should wash new sheets before you use them, we have all the information you need to help your fresh new cotton towels and linens last the years. 

Should you wash towels and sheets separately? 

Yes, you should wash towels, sheets and dirty clothes separately. Why? Towels, clothes and sheets have different fabric weights. Especially sheets and towels, which are total opposites. Sheets are usually more delicate than towels which might require a different temperature or a less aggressive washing cycle. Some sheets (i.e. silk) might even require handwashing.  

It takes longer to rinse towels than to rinse bedsheets and they have very different drying times. Towels and clothes often get tangled up in knots and balls and even get lost inside of bed sheets which, besides being annoying, doesn’t help the wash. It’s not the end of the world if you throw everything in together, but to get the best out of your wash, you should wash towels, sheets and clothes separately. 

How often should you change your bed sheets? 

Most people admit to washing their bedsheets every two weeks, but experts recommend to wash them once a week. Why? Because dead skin and dust mites and other nasties (like bacteria and even poop!) can build up pretty quickly. Though it’s unlikely to make you sick (there are cases), it can cause skin rashes and exacerbate eczema. You should wash your sheets more regularly if:  

• You have allergies or asthma
• You have a pet
• You sleep naked 
• You go to bed without showering 
• You snack in bed 

How often should you wash bath towels and hand towels? 

If you dry your bath towel properly after every wash, this prevents the growth of bacteria. But even if you’re doing this, you still need to wash it every three uses. Why? You are covered in dead skin which is rubbed off into the towel every time you use it. Not to mention all the other lovely microorganisms that live on you. Change hand towels more regularly – every one or two days – as they tend to get used more often. You should wash your towels more frequently if: 

• You have a damp or humid bathroom
• The towels aren’t left to dry properly
• You have sensitive skin
• You have allergies or asthma  

How to wash towels and bed sheets 

When washing bed sheets and bath towels, don’t overload the machine. You’ve got a lot of surface area to clean and you’ll want to ensure a thorough wash. You should ideally be washing towels and sheets separately. Poly blends are better off being washed in warm water, but cotton can withstand lava. (Well, not really, but you can throw it in at 60°C and you won’t have to worry). Washing linen sheets is the same. Here’s some tips: 

• As always, check the label before washing.  
• Remember, the hotter the wash, the better to kill all that pesky bacteria.  
• Avoid fabric softener, this is actually bad for the fabric over time and it’s bad for the environment.  
• Wash whites and plain sheets together separately.  
• Wash darker colours together, ideally in warm water otherwise the dye will likely bleed. 

Should you wash new sheets and towels? 

Washing sheets and towels before you use them isn’t a must. But it is recommended. A lot of new sheets and towels are treated with chemicals during the production process, usually in order to maintain the colour and texture of the fabric. It’s difficult to know exactly what agents might still be present, so it’s always better to wash new sheets and towels before using them. Otherwise the unwashed fabric might cause rashes or allergic reactions. 

How to wash silk sheets 

Hand wash silk sheets – at least the first few times you wash them. But if it’s too high maintenance to continue handwashing, then change over to the washing machine. Just be sure to wash at a temperature no higher than 30°C and use a gentle detergent free from bleach. Here’s some tips:  

• Avoid the tumble dryer, it’s bad for the environment and it’ll wear more on the fabric. 
• When handwashing, be sure not to leave the sheets to soak too long, avoid scrubbing or twisting, and when rinsing, just gently press on the fabric.  
• To dry, roll your silk sheets in a towel and gently press to get rid of excess water. 

Washing dish cloths and kitchen towels 

Change your dish cloths and kitchen towels regularly. Once a day is ideal. Always make sure you hang them out properly to dry between each use to prevent the growth of bacteria. If your towel or dish cloth has touched raw meat, put it straight in the wash. Always wash at a high heat, in a separate load. Some people recommend occasionally boiling their dish cloths. Or adding vinegar or bleach. But be mindful: bleach will dis-colour towels that aren’t already white.