Most towels should be washed at 40°C on a cotton cycle. Lightly used towels can go at 30°C, while 60°C is best kept for heavily soiled towels or illness in the home, if the care label allows. Microfibre and blended towels often need cooler, gentler settings, so check the care label first.
The washing machine offers several temperature options, but choosing the hottest one doesn't mean your towels will come out cleaner.
A cotton bath towel used after a shower has different washing needs from a sandy beach towel or a heavily soiled cleaning cloth. The fabric, amount of dirt, and care instructions all play a part.
So, what temperature should you wash towels at?
The answer depends on what you're washing and how you've used the towel.
Key takeaways
- 40°C on a cotton cycle suits most everyday cotton towels; 30°C works for lightly used ones.
- 60°C is for heavily soiled towels or illness at home, and only if the fabric can take it.
- The wash cycle matters as much as the temperature: cotton for cotton towels, synthetics or gentle for microfibre and blends.
- The care label sets the limit, especially for microfibre, viscose blends and dark colours.
What Temperature to Wash Towels At?
Towels are usually washed at 30°C, 40°C or 60°C, and 40°C is the everyday choice for most cotton towels.
The numbers on your washing machine show the water temperature, but they don't tell you if that temperature suits the towels inside.
Here's a quick comparison before we assess the wash settings:
| Temperature | When It May Be Suitable | What to Consider |
|---|---|---|
| 30°C | Lightly used towels | Detergent suitability and care instructions |
| 40°C | Everyday cotton towels with ordinary soiling | Fabric type and colour |
| 60°C | Certain heavily soiled or higher-risk laundry | Hygiene requirements and fabric tolerance |
| Cold Wash | Towels specifically requiring cold-water care | Manufacturer's instructions |
The above-mentioned temperatures are general guidelines. Prioritise the care label, especially when a towel requires cooler washing.
What Setting to Wash Towels in a Washing Machine?
For most cotton towels, the best setting is the cotton programme (sometimes labelled Cottons) at the temperature on the care label.
Temperature and wash cycle aren't quite the same thing.
Two cycles set to the same temperature may use different drum movements, washing times, and spin speeds.
So, when deciding what wash to put towels on, check the fabric first, then choose a suitable temperature within its care limits.
Cotton Wash
The standard cotton cycle is a common choice for traditional bath towels, hand towels and washcloths. It uses a regular washing setting for sturdy fabrics rather than the gentler movement used for delicate items.
Synthetic Wash
Synthetic cycles are intended for suitable artificial fabrics and blends, often using gentler washing action than a standard cotton setting.
You'll usually find this option labelled Synthetics or Easy Care on the machine.
It may suit certain polyester-based towels, but don't select it just because a product contains synthetic fibres. The care label should tell you better.
Delicate or Quick Wash
Delicate settings are for fabrics that need gentler movement and spinning. They may suit specialist towels where the manufacturer recommends more careful handling.
A quick wash serves a different purpose. It's generally meant for smaller, lightly soiled loads, and the reduced washing time may not suit bulky or heavily used bath towels.
If your machine has different settings than usual, check the manual, as names and cycle conditions vary by manufacturer.
When Is a 60°C Towel Wash Necessary?
A warmer wash may be needed when towels are heavily soiled or have been used by someone with an infection. An everyday bath towel doesn't usually need the same level of care.
According to NHS guidance, ordinary laundry and items that may spread infection have different washing requirements. In some cases, washing at the highest temperature the fabric allows may be appropriate.
For example, NHS advice on norovirus is to wash clothes and bedding that have poo or vomit on them at 60°C, separately from other laundry.
For regular household towels, a warm wash isn't always necessary. If there's a risk of contamination, follow the relevant hygiene advice and make sure the recommended temperature suits the fabric.
Does Towel Fabric Affect the Temperature?
Yes, and the differences aren't always obvious from appearance.
A towel made from cotton may have different care requirements from viscose, polyester, or decorative yarns. Even two towels with similar textures can need different settings.
For instance:
- Utopia UK's Printed Microfibre Beach Towel requires cold-water machine washing.
- But the Viscose Stripe Cotton Towel Set specifies cold water for its first wash.
When washing different towels together, make sure their recommended settings match, since fabrics alone don't determine the cycle temperature.
Settings for White, Coloured and Microfibre Towels
White cotton towels can usually take the warmest wash, while coloured, microfibre and blended towels do better on cooler, gentler settings.
| Towel type | Usual temperature | Wash cycle | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| White cotton towels | 40°C, or 60°C if the care label allows | Cotton | Wash apart from colours so they don't pick up dye and turn grey |
| Coloured cotton towels | 30°C to 40°C | Cotton | Cooler washes help reduce fading |
| New or dark towels | 30°C | Cotton, washed on their own | Loose dye can run in the first few washes |
| Microfibre towels | Cold to 40°C, as the label says | Synthetics or gentle | Skip fabric conditioner, which can coat the fibres |
| Cotton blends with viscose or decorative yarns | 30°C or cooler | Gentle, or as the label says | Some ask for a cold first wash |
Whatever the colour, the care label sets the upper limit. If you're choosing new cotton bath towels, check the care label on the product page so you know which temperatures they can take.
Temperature is only one part of keeping towels in good condition. Our guide to keeping towels soft and fluffy covers detergent, drying and fabric conditioner.
Choose the Right Temperature for Your Towels
The temperature dial offers plenty of choices, but you don't have to use the same setting every time.
Check the fabric, how the towel has been used, and any special care requirements before starting the wash.
Once you know what temperature should you wash towels at for different situations, choosing the right settings becomes easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Washing Machine Setting Is Best for Towels?
A regular cotton cycle works for many regular bath towels. But towels made from different materials like microfibre or blended fabrics need a gentler setting. Nonetheless, check the fabric instructions before choosing your wash. For most cotton bath towels, that means the cotton programme at 40°C.
What Setting Should I Wash Towels On?
Once you've chosen a suitable wash cycle, check the temperature and spin speed. Everyday cotton towels may be washed at 30°C or 40°C when their care instructions allow it, while other materials may need different settings. Use the highest spin speed the label allows so towels dry faster.
Can Cotton and Synthetic Towels Go on the Same Wash Cycle?
Yes, but only when their care instructions are compatible. Synthetic towels usually require cooler water or gentler wash cycles. If the recommended settings differ, wash them separately to be on the safe side. When in doubt, use the cooler temperature and gentler cycle of the two.
What Is a Synthetic Wash?
A synthetic wash is preferred for artificial fabrics and blends like polyester. It uses gentler movements and different spin settings than a standard cotton wash. However, the exact operation varies by machine. Most machines label it Synthetics or Easy Care, and it often allows a lower maximum temperature than the cotton cycle.
Can You Wash Towels at 30°C?
Yes, 30°C can be suitable for lightly used towels when the fabric allows it. Check if the towels are dirty or whether your detergent works at that temperature before choosing the wash. Many modern detergents are designed to clean well at 30°C, so check the pack.
Should You Wash Towels at 60°C?
It's not a mandatory rule. A warmer wash may be ideal for some heavily contaminated towels or situations involving infection, if the fabric can tolerate it. Still, it's ideal to follow relevant hygiene guidance rather than switching to 60°C for every load.
