Towel Laundry Rules

Kitchen and bath towels usually can share a washing machine, but what they have touched matters. Kitchen towels collect food residue, grease, and grime from surfaces, while bath towels mainly gather moisture, body oils, and dead skin. For ordinary loads, use enough detergent, select a warm or hot cycle suitable for the fabrics, and leave room for items to move freely. Thorough drying afterward is another important part of getting both types ready for use again.

The exceptions deserve extra attention. Set aside kitchen towels used around raw poultry, pork, or beef, and wash them separately to help limit cross-contamination. Heavily greasy towels also belong in their own load, since oil can transfer to other fabrics and complicate cleaning. Separate hampers for kitchen towels, bathroom towels, and bedding can make sorting easier. You do not need more laundry every time—just a little more care when the mess calls for it.