Let’s face it—after a long, exhausting week, throwing all your laundry into one load might seem like a time-saver. But this habit could be damaging your clothes, dulling fabrics, and even transferring bacteria in ways you don’t realize.

I used to mix towels and clothes too—until I noticed stiff towels, fuzzy t-shirts, and dull fabrics.

That’s when I looked into the science behind separating laundry. Here’s what I discovered, and why doing separate loads makes a difference.

Towels are designed to be thick, absorbent, and durable. After use, they hold onto body oils, dead skin cells, soap residue, and moisture. To properly clean them, towels need: Read more below