Washing settings guide
Best Washing Machine Setting for Towels
A practical UK towel-washing guide for fresher, cleaner, better-rinsed towels.
For sturdy cotton towels, use a Cottons or dedicated Towels programme at 40°C for routine washing. Use 60°C only when better hygiene is needed and the care label allows it; keep specialist towels within their labelled limits.
Last updated: 2 September 2026
Quick answer
Best washing machine setting
Program
Cottons or Towels
Temperature
40°C to 60°C
Spin
Programme default; high spin for sturdy cotton if allowed
Why: A Cottons or dedicated Towels programme gives heavy absorbent fabric enough wash and rinse time. A higher permitted spin removes more water before drying.
Safe tip: Check the care label first and load towels loosely enough to move and rinse.
Can I still use it?
MaybeYou can still wash towels at 40°C for normal use, but heavy, stale, or hygiene-sensitive loads usually benefit from 60°C where the label allows.
- Use 60°C for hygiene-focused washes where towel care labels allow it.
- Use 40°C for lightly used towels with correct detergent and full drying.
- If smells persist, run a maintenance wash and check drainage pages such as Bosch E18.
Step-by-step setup
- 1.Load towels loosely and keep the drum below full.
- 2.Select Cottons, or a dedicated Towels programme if your machine provides one.
- 3.Use 40°C for normal towel washing or 60°C for hygiene where the label allows.
- 4.Keep the programme's default spin, or select a higher spin only for sturdy cotton when the towel label and machine manual allow it.
- 5.Remove towels when the cycle ends and dry them completely before storing.
Settings by towel type
Start with the care label and your machine manual. These are practical defaults, not overrides for a lower labelled limit.
| Towel type | Programme | Temperature | Spin | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sturdy cotton bath and hand towels | Cottons or Towels | 40°C normally; 60°C for hygiene if allowed | Programme default or higher permitted spin | Wash similar colours together and leave enough drum space for the load to move. |
| White cotton towels | Cottons or Towels | 40°C normally; 60°C if the label allows | Programme default or higher permitted spin | The care label remains the maximum temperature, even when a hotter hygiene wash is wanted. |
| Microfibre or sports towels | Use the care-label programme | Do not exceed the label | Use the labelled or programme default | Do not apply cotton-towel settings automatically; specialist fibres and finishes can need different care. |
| Waffle, decorative or embellished towels | Use the care-label programme | Do not exceed the label | Use the labelled or programme default | Use a gentler programme only when the label calls for it; trims and construction may set the limit. |
If towels still come out wrong
| What you notice | Likely cause | Safe next step |
|---|---|---|
| Towels feel stiff, coated or less absorbent | Excess detergent or repeated fabric-conditioner residue. | Use the detergent pack dose for the load, soiling and local water hardness; avoid conditioner when absorbency matters and follow the manual for an extra rinse. See washing machine leaves residue on clothes. |
| Towels smell musty after washing | A crowded load, laundry left wet, incomplete drying, residue, or a washer that needs cleaning. | Reduce the load, remove towels promptly and dry them fully. Clean the washer only as its manual directs. See washing machine smells after a wash. |
| Powder, streaks or detergent marks remain | Overdosing, a dose that does not match water hardness, or insufficient room to rinse. | Check the detergent label, local water hardness and washer manual, then reduce the load or dose as directed. Do not add more product to compensate. |
| Towels are unusually wet after the cycle | The heavy load may be unbalanced, the selected spin may be low, or the washer may not be draining correctly. | Redistribute the load and retry only the manual-approved spin. If water remains or a code appears, stop and check why your washing machine won't drain. |
Related problems and error codes
Drainage and residue problems linked to towel loads
Samsung Washing Machine LC1
The washer has detected a drain-hose problem
Hoover Washing Machine E03
The washing machine is not draining water on models using Hoover's E03/E3 mapping
Hotpoint Washing Machine F11
The washer has a drain pump or drainage-circuit fault and cannot empty water properly.
Indesit Washing Machine F11
The washer has a drain pump or drainage-circuit fault and is not emptying water properly.
Samsung Washing Machine 5C
The washer cannot drain the water away properly.
Samsung Washing Machine ND
The washer has detected a no-drain condition
Balance and spin warnings from heavy loads
Beko Washing Machine E18
Spin did not start because of imbalance on the verified B5W5841AW and BM1WU3721W models
Samsung Washing Machine UE
Load balance or spin detection problem
Samsung Washing Machine UB
The load is too unbalanced for safe spinning
Samsung Washing Machine UB1
The washer has detected a serious load-balance problem while trying to spin.
LG Washing Machine vS
Vibration sensor signal is abnormal
Beko Washing Machine E17
Load balance or spin detection problem
Why this works
Cottons cycles at suitable temperatures improve rinse and spin performance on heavy absorbent fabrics, helping remove oils, moisture, and detergent residue more effectively than short mixed washes.
When to use this setting
- Bath towels, hand towels, and flannels.
- Bath mats if the care label allows machine washing.
- Heavy cotton fabrics that need strong rinsing and a high spin.
When not to use it
- Delicates, wool, silk, and synthetic gym wear.
- Waterproof or rubber-backed bath mats unless the label allows it.
- Mixed loads with light clothing that may tangle around towels.
Common mistakes
- Using a quick wash for a heavy towel load.
- Using too much detergent, which can make towels stiff and may contribute to Samsung SUD.
- Using fabric conditioner repeatedly when absorbency matters.
- Overloading the drum, which can cause poor rinsing, smells, and spin imbalance.
Related guides
Mixed Load vs Cottons on a Washing Machine
Mixed Load is for everyday clothing made from varied fabrics. Use Cottons for towels, bedding, robust cotton garments, and heavier loads that need a longer wash.
Washing Machine Leaves Residue on Clothes
Residue is often caused by too much detergent, overloading, low water movement, short cycles, poor rinsing, or drainage issues.
Washing Machine Smells After Wash: What Setting Should You Use?
Use a hotter cottons wash for towels and bedding where allowed, avoid overloading, reduce detergent if needed, and check whether poor drainage is contributing to smells.
What Temperature to Wash Clothes in the UK
Use 30°C for lightly worn clothes, 40°C for more soiled everyday items, and 60°C for towels, bedding, or hygiene loads where the care label allows.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash towels at 40°C?+
Yes, 40°C is often fine for normal towel washing. Use 60°C for a hygiene wash when the towel label allows it.
Why do towels smell after washing?+
Common causes include low-temperature washing, overloading, too much detergent, slow drying, or a washer that needs cleaning.
Should I use fabric softener on towels?+
It is usually better to avoid frequent fabric softener on towels because it can reduce absorbency and contribute to residue.
Why are towels still very wet after spinning?+
A heavy towel load can become unbalanced, the programme may use a lower spin, or the washer may not be draining fully. Redistribute the load and follow the machine manual; investigate persistent water or error codes rather than repeatedly forcing a spin.
How should towels be dried after washing?+
Remove towels promptly and dry them completely before storage. Follow the care label for tumble-drying heat or line drying, because fibre blends and decorative finishes can have different limits.
Sources and limits
Programme names and permitted temperatures vary. The towel care label and the instructions for your machine take priority.
- LG UK: how to wash towels in a washing machineSupports using a dedicated Towels cycle where available, washing new towels before use, and avoiding conditioner when absorbency matters. Checked 2 September 2026.
- Persil UK: choosing wash temperatures for clothes and towelsSupports checking care labels first, 40°C as a normal towel temperature, and 60°C when improved hygiene is needed and the label permits it. Checked 2 September 2026.
- Persil UK: washing-machine dos and don'tsSupports avoiding detergent overdose and removing wet laundry promptly. Checked 2 September 2026.
- Siemens Home UK: detergent dosing and water hardnessSupports matching detergent dosage to detergent type, load conditions and local water hardness. Checked 2 September 2026.