What I previously did was put every towel in the house, kitchen, bath, and hand towels, into the same wash cycle without thinking twice. This method made washing easier and saved time, water, and energy. However, as I began to think through the logic behind this process, I realized that it might not be the best idea to wash towels in groups by type.
Both kitchen and bath towels are exposed to a lot of different types of grime and microorganisms. However, this does not mean they cannot be washed together, just that you should consider some factors first. What follows are the safe and logical ways to wash towels.
Are You Able to Wash Kitchen Towels and Bath Towels Together?
Yes, you can wash kitchen towels and bath towels together.
Most modern detergents are capable of removing most soils, oils, and bacteria, especially when washed in hot or warm water. Provided neither set of towels has excessive amounts of soil, you can expect them to be cleaned well.
Although it is possible to wash kitchen towels and bath towels together, it is often the less hygienic of the two options. Oftentimes, kitchen towels contain residues from foods and grease that do not exist on bath towels. For this reason, many experts suggest separating the two at least as much as possible. Understanding why may help explain the reasoning behind the suggestion.
Why Kitchen Towels Differ From Bath Towels
It appears that most people do not appreciate how hard-working their kitchen towels really are. This is most likely due to being frequently used to dry dishes, hands, and counters. Kitchen towels are also wiped down as a result of spills on countertops, and perhaps even raw meat. Therefore, kitchen towels often have a higher exposure to contaminants, including food particles, oil, grease, and various other substances. Bath towels, although still absorbing oils from the human body and moisture, tend to receive fewer food-related contaminants.
In addition to receiving fewer contaminants associated with food, the largest distinction is that kitchen towels typically receive a greater number of different contaminants overall. As such, they are typically considered dirtier from a health perspective than bath towels.
The Major Risks Involved With Washing Them Together
The greatest concern is cross-contamination. When heavily contaminated kitchen towels are washed together with bath towels, there is a high probability that contaminants such as bacteria and grease can be transferred from the heavily contaminated kitchen towels onto the bath towels. Furthermore, the greasy residue on the kitchen towels may also reduce the freshness of the bath towels.
Again, while there is potential for contamination when washing improperly, if your laundry is washed correctly with sufficient detergent and in hot water, the likelihood of cross-contamination is greatly diminished. Adequate drying cycles also help. Although there is still some risk of cross-contamination when washing heavily used kitchen towels with bath towels, it is simply better to separate them for sanitary reasons.
Situations Where It Would Be Okay to Wash Them Together
While there are instances where combining loads may make practical sense, there are certain conditions that need to be met before doing so.
If your kitchen towels have not encountered large quantities of raw meat juice and have not had direct contact with grease-rich spills or foods, then it is likely acceptable to wash them along with your bath towels.
During the course of several years, I have found myself in situations where it has been necessary to combine loads on occasion. These have included:
- Lightly soiled kitchen towels
- No raw meat contact
- Hot water is available for washing the fabric
- Quality detergent is being used
- Towels are completely dried after each wash cycle
To date, I believe that most households can safely run an occasional load of both kitchen and bath towels without resulting in problems. This is true when using proper laundry procedures.
My Laundry Procedures for Safe Handling of Kitchen and Bath Towels
As mentioned earlier, I have developed a few laundry routines that help maintain the cleanliness of my towels.
- Separate heavily soiled kitchen towels from other laundry.
- Wash in the hottest water allowed by the fabric label.
- Add enough detergent for the load size.
- Do not overload the washing machine.
- Dry towels until they are thoroughly dry.
- Replace older or worn-out towels that no longer clean effectively.
I discovered the hard way that running too many items through the washing machine can result in less clean clothes, even with quality detergent. I also learned that leaving wet towels sitting around causes them to develop unpleasant odors.
