Can you wash clothes and bedding together? Textile experts say it's a big laundry mistake

If you hate doing laundry then you might be familiar with the approach of throwing whatever fits into the washing machine and running a standard cycle just to get it over and done with.

However, can you wash clothes and bedding together? Laundry experts suggest that there are several reasons why the two should be kept apart when doing laundry to ensure thorough cleaning and prevent damage to your best bed sheets.

It can make a big difference, they say and make your items last longer to wash them separately.

Can you wash clothes and bedding together?

In short, no – you shouldn't. This bedding laundry mistake might seem minor, but it can lead to having to spend more money on linens in the long run and can even damage the best washing machine, experts warn.

Here's why.

1. Bedding obstructs clothing from detergent

I cannot be alone in the frustration of washing bedding just to take it out of the machine and find it all bundled up in one big ball. While this annoyance is easily fixed, it could be a sign that the clothes inside are not clean.

Melanie DiSalve, a textile scientist at Virtue + Vice says, ‘I would not recommend washing bedding and garments together because the bedding is big and tends to wrap around the clothing, impairing the cleaning process.

‘When you wash something, you want as much water and detergent to get in and out of the fibers as possible. When items get wrapped in each other, or there is too much fabric in a load of laundry, they are not able to get as clean.’

This is why you need to separate laundry, even if it adds time to your laundry routine.

2. Abrasive clothing can damage your bedding fibers

Another common laundry mistake we make when putting clothing and bedding together is mixing soft and abrasive textiles, continues Heidi Luber, president and owner of linen suppliers, Lubertex.

‘It’s best to wash bedding only with bedding. Whites with whites and colors with other colors. It may sound funny, but sheets do not like to be washed with clothes or towels. Mixing them in one wash can affect the cotton fibers and cause damage.’

Like many other things you should never wash together, softer linen and cotton bedding can pill or appear thread-worn more quickly when put in your washer or dryer with heavier items such as washing denim as the materials rub against each other. This is also why you should never wash clothes with towels.

All prices correct at time of publication.

3. They often need different washer settings

It is not just the difference in fabrics. Our bedding and clothing have different uses and require different washing machine settings.

Heather Nixon, sustainability, NPD, and regulatory manager at Bio-D says, ‘Bedding typically needs to be washed for longer, at a higher temperature in order to kill bacteria that has built-up from dead skin cells, sweat, and oils – though some eco-friendly options such as Bio-D's are designed to be just as effective at lower temperatures.

‘This is one reason why it is best to separate bedding and clothing when washing, as clothing can shrink when washed at higher temperatures. When washing, check an item's care label for laundry symbols to avoid any mishaps.’

4. You risk overloading your machine

The final reason you should never wash clothes and bedding together is to avoid a common washing machine mistake – overloading your drum, says Thomas Bird, materials expert at Fabric Online. ‘Bedding, like sheets and duvet covers, takes up a lot of space in the washing machine and are a lot heavier than clothing,' he explains. 'If you add clothes to an already full load of bedding, it may not leave enough room for thorough cleaning.

‘Overloading the machine can result in poor water circulation, making it harder for detergent to reach all areas and sometimes wear and tear on your clothes,’ he adds. It also adds extra strain to your machine, reducing how long a washing machine lasts.

There are several other things you can do beyond separating clothes and bedding to ensure they stay looking their best after laundry day. Washing bedding inside out, for instance, can maintain its soft texture and appearance, while brushing up on the things you are washing too often will prolong the lifespan of your favorite garments.