Quick answer
What setting for towels?
Wash towels on normal or heavy duty with warm water, then dry on medium/high heat unless the care label says otherwise.
Reviewed August 10, 2026
Cycle
Normal or heavy duty
Temperature
Warm water, or hot for white cotton towels if the label allows
Spin
High spin
Dryer
Medium to high heat for cotton, low heat for microfiber
Go deeper
Intent guide
Choose the towel setting you need
This page owns broad towel-care questions. The focused pages below own washer, dryer, and water-temperature intent.
Item or materialSettingHow to use it
Cotton bath towelsWarm wash, medium dryNormal or heavy duty, high spin; avoid overdrying.
White cotton towelsWarm or label-approved hot washDry on medium or label-approved high heat.
Microfiber towelsCool/warm wash, low dryKeep separate from lint-producing cotton and skip softener.
Decorative or trim-sensitive towelsGentle wash, low dryProtect embroidery, fringe, elastic, and delicate borders.
Care-label caveats
- Avoid fabric softener if absorbency matters.
- Wash microfiber towels separately and dry them on low heat.
- Keep new, dark, or brightly colored towels away from whites until excess dye stops bleeding.
- Use the warmest water allowed by the care label when cleaning heavily soiled towels.
FAQ
What washer setting should I use for towels?
Use normal or heavy duty for most cotton towels. Choose high spin if the care label allows.
What dryer setting should I use?
Use medium to high heat for sturdy cotton towels. Use low heat for microfiber or heat-sensitive towels.
What temperature should I wash towels in?
Wash most towels in warm water. Use hot water only for white cotton towels when the care label allows and the load needs deeper cleaning.