Wash bed linen and towels together: you should pay attention to this

2022-12-08T09:58:28.069Z

Don't wash bed linen and towels together: what's behind it Created: 12/08/2022, 10:55 am By: Vivian Werg Bed linen and towels are often washed together. But that is not always advisable. Here is an overview of why and what else you should know. Kassel – Different types of laundry are often thrown together so that the wash cycle is really worthwhile. As a rule, almost all textiles can be washed

Don't wash bed linen and towels together: what's behind it

Created: 12/08/2022, 10:55 am

By: Vivian Werg

Bed linen and towels are often washed together.

But that is not always advisable.

Here is an overview of why and what else you should know.

Kassel – Different types of laundry are often thrown together so that the wash cycle is really worthwhile.

As a rule, almost all textiles can be washed together regardless of use.

However, to ensure that the washing machine does not become a dangerous source of germs, careful sorting and the right washing temperature are important, reports hna.de.

When washing bed linen and towels, some rules should be observed.

Because in some cases it is better not to put them in the washing machine together.

We explain what to look out for.

Washing bed linen and towels together – what you should pay attention to © Oleksandr Latkun/ Imago

Washing bedclothes and towels: What you should pay attention to

If you want to wash bed linen and towels together in particular, you should pay attention to the following criteria:

Recommended washing temperature:
If the recommended washing temperature is the same, you can put both in the washing machine without hesitation.
However, if they differ, it is advisable to wash the items separately or to use the low temperature as a guide.
Correct washing program:
In addition to the washing temperature,
special instructions
must also be observed.
If you see the symbol for delicates, you should also use the delicates cycle when washing.
If you want to wash both together, use the delicates cycle for both textiles.
Otherwise, wash things separately.
Material:
If bed linen is made of the same material, for example cotton, you can wash both together.
You can also wash linen bed linen together with cotton towels.
However, if the bed linen is made of silk, for example, it is better to wash it separately.
Color:
If you wash together, you should also look at the
Pay attention to the colors of the textiles.
For example, very dark colors could bleed into light tones or mix with them.
Red and white, for example, quickly become a delicate pink.
For this reason, laundry is often divided into white laundry
, colored laundry and dark laundry
.
If you sort your textiles accordingly, you can wash them together.
If sorting is not worthwhile because you don't have to wash as much laundry, you can wash everything together at a lower washing temperature.
This also avoids discolouration.

Why you shouldn't wash bed linen and towels together

Although it is advisable, bed linen and towels should not always be washed together.

There are various reasons for this, such as different washing temperatures, special information about the washing program, different materials or colors.

The following inconveniences may occur:

Hygiene:
It is not advisable to wash bed linen or towels at temperatures that are too low.
For example, if the recommended washing temperature for your bed linen is 30 degrees, it should definitely be washed separately.
It is then not advisable to use the lowest temperature as a guide, because washing at 30 degrees can promote the spread of bacteria and germs such as
Staphylococcus aureus
.
According to a study by the Hygiene Institute at the University of Bonn, lower washing temperatures can promote the spread.
It can lead to lint:
New towels lint in the first to third wash.
Before you put them in the machine with the bed linen, the hand and bath towels should have been washed at least twice.
For example, if a sheet is washed with towels, lint can cling to the bed linen.
Materials can shrink:
In the past, towels and bed linen were usually made from natural fibers such as cotton or linen.
As a rule, these could be washed together at 60°C.
However, some bedding is also made of other materials, such as wool or silk.
You should wash these separately from the towels in the special washing program.
Color Fading
: Washing different pieces together can cause light-colored bedding to yellow and fade more quickly.
Because: In most cases, faded colors are not caused by the color bleeding from the fabric, but rather by the friction caused by clothes rubbing together in the washing machine.
They could get tangled
: Be careful not to overload the washing machine.
If the linens don't have enough room to move freely in the drum, chances are they will become tangled and wrinkled.
Better to split up the laundry instead.
So you don't have to pull apart half-damp, twisted sheets that have tangled with the dry ones.