In this article, we’ll take you through how to wash towels the right way to keep them soft and wooly for longer.
Nothing compares to the sensation of stepping out of the shower or bathtub onto a fresh, fluffy towel. But it can be more difficult than it seems to maintain those fluffy, spotless towels.
Everyone has experienced the situation where their cherished soft bath towels become harsh and limp after a few wash cycles.
There are more ways besides just accepting your fate or washing them less frequently. Because stains, bacteria, and dye from other items may transfer onto them, washing soiled towels with the rest of the laundry won’t ensure they are as clean and fresh as possible.
Large towels added to the standard load may also harm the fibers of delicate clothing and wrap around and trap little items, making it impossible to wash them effectively.
Keep reading to find out how to effectively wash towels to improve hygiene and comfort, as well as maintenance advice that will help keep towels fluffy, absorbent, and long-lasting.
How to Wash Towels Correctly
1. Split the towels into two loads of light and dark towels
Pull the towels away first from the other garments and linens. Then arrange white and light-colored towels in distinct heaps from dark-colored ones.
The dark pile should contain any towel that is darker than pale yellow. Towels being highly absorbent, white and light ones could soak up the dye from darker ones and become stained with time. Dark towels may fade after transferring their dye to white and light towels.
2. Do not overstuff the towels when loading them
Towels should be loaded into the drum of your washing machine, starting with either the white/light or dark-colored pile.
Avoid cramming the drum as this may end in improper cleaning of the towels. A top-load washer can commonly manage a 15- to 18-pound load or nine to 11 bath towels; a front-load washer can typically handle a 12-pound load or roughly seven-bath towels.
3. Use only half as much detergent as you would for a normal load
Avoid using excessive detergent because it would render towels stiff. For front-loading machines, open the detergent drawer; for top-loading machines, open the lid.
Pour half as much detergent into the reservoir as you would for a typical load. Use any reputable detergent, natural or artificial.
4. If necessary, add chlorine or non-chlorine bleach.
Add bleach to the machine’s bleach chamber in the amount recommended on the label to remove stains, as follows:
Add chlorine or non-chlorine (also known as color-safe) bleach to the bleach reservoir if you are just washing white towels.
Use only color-safe bleach when washing towels that are either all white/light or all dark. Chlorine bleach has the ability to remove both the stains and the dye from colored towels, gradually fading the towels over time.
5. On your washing machine, choose the regular or normal cycle.
The quick spin and extended cycle times remove dust, filth, and bacteria from towel fibers.
6. Increase the water’s temperature to hot (for whites) or warm (for like colors)
Set the water temperature as follows in accordance with the towel color category:
Set the water temperature too high for whites and other light hues. This temperature enhances the brightness of white or light towels.
Warm water should be used for dark hues. While preserving the color, this temperature aids in eradicating microorganisms.
7. Before putting the towels in the dryer, shake off any excess water
The wash cycle will start after you press the Start button. After the process is finished, remove the towels one at a time, shaking each one out by hand to remove any remaining water before putting it in the dryer. This process will reduce the drying time.
8. Place in the dryer to dry completely or let air dry flat
On your dryer, select the Regular or Automatic cycle. To maximize the fluffiness, this setting uses high heat.
When towels are just dry (over-drying can deteriorate fibers), retrieve them one at a time, folding each one as soon as possible to minimize wrinkles.
If you don’t have a dryer or want to air-dry your towels, place them on a drying rack near an open window with plenty of sunlight or near a heater if a window isn’t available. Optionally, mount them on a clothesline outside.
Maintenance Tips for Fluffy, Fresh Towels
Here are some pointers to avoid wearing them down with washing:
How should you wash your Towel?
Only wash towels with towels: This may appear extreme, but it will actually extend their life and reduce snags.
Separate colors: To avoid running, wash whites with whites and colored towels with colored towels.
Skip bleach: Avoid using chlorine bleach because it may degrade the terry’s quality or discolor any color on the towel.
Use no more detergent than is recommended: This is especially important for white towels. Using too much laundry detergent can make your towels turn a slightly greyish color and lose their bright white hue.
Drying
Whatever you do, please don’t put the towels in a hot dryer after they’ve been washed.
Dry on a low heat setting: Drying your towels on low heat will extend their life because high heat damages the cotton fibers.
Depending on your dryer, you may need to run your towels through it multiple times, but we promise it will be well worth it!
Avoid using dryer sheets: Contrary to popular belief, adding a fabric softener reduces a towel’s softness by interfering with its absorption properties.
Always remove your towels from the dryer immediately and give them a nice little shake to keep them fluffy and soft.
Mildew Prevention
Some people notice that their towels begin to smell musty or mildewed after a while, even after they have been freshly laundered.
This odor is frequently caused by towels that do not completely dry between uses, most likely due to a lack of “airflow.”
To avoid mildew, it is best to hang towels between uses rather than storing them folded in a cabinet. If the odor persists, try washing the towels with 1 cup of white vinegar and 12 cups of baking soda; the vinegar dissolves buildup while the baking soda neutralizes the odor.
Conclusion
Towels do not last forever, even with the best care. Most frequently used towels will need to be replaced in 1-2 years.
The clear sign a towel needs to be replaced is a musty odor or when it has lost its fluffy, absorbent qualities, — even if you’re doing everything else. Cut them up into rags. Then it’s time to go shopping.
