Instructions on Washing Towels

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To wash towels effectively, follow these steps:

1. Sort towels by color and fabric type.

2. Use a mild detergent and avoid using fabric softeners, as they can reduce absorbency.

3. Wash towels in warm water on a normal cycle.

4. Avoid overloading the washing machine to ensure proper cleaning.

5. Hang towels to dry or tumble dry on low heat.

6. Avoid using bleach unless necessary, as it can weaken the fabric over time.

7. Shake towels before folding to fluff them up.

8. Store towels in a well-ventilated area to prevent musty odors.

You may not have given much thought to washing towels, but it’s essential for your towels to feel soft and smell great. If your towels are less than desirable, there are simple ways to improve their quality.

Here are the steps to washing towels correctly, along with tips on how to care for them to keep them soft and long-lasting.

Materials Needed

  • Baking soda

  • Laundry detergent

  • Bleach or color-safe bleach

  • Laundry drying balls or tennis balls

Steps to Wash Towels

1. Sort and Pre-wash

Although sorting towels isn’t as crucial as it is with workwear, washing white and colored towels together can lead to color bleeding. Pre-washing is optional, but it’s recommended for gym towels or towels with a strong musty odor.

  1. Sort towels, separating colors and whites.
  2. Fluff up dirty towels by shaking them.
  3. Wash towels in the washing machine using 1/2 cup of baking soda (no detergent).

2. Wash Towels

Before washing towels, ensure that the washing machine is not overloaded. An overloaded machine may become unbalanced during the wash cycle and fail to clean towels thoroughly.

  1. Add laundry detergent and bleach or color-safe bleach, if necessary. Use half the recommended amount of detergent to avoid build-up.
  2. Select a cycle made for towels or the longest wash cycle for a thorough clean.
  3. Choose the desired water temperature to wash the towels.

3. Dry Towels

You can either dry towels in a dryer or hang them on a clothesline. Towels dried outside may smell heavenly but may become stiff. If you prefer a soft towel, use a dryer. Alternatively, hang-dry towels outside and finish them in a heat-free fluff cycle to soften and fluff them indoors.

  1. Put each towel in the dryer individually, giving them a good shake and fluff as you go.
  2. Add a few wool laundry balls or tennis balls to the dryer with the towels.
  3. Set the dryer to medium heat (or drying time) and dry the towels. Higher temperatures can damage the cotton fibers and reduce the life of your towels. Always check the fabric care label before proceeding.
  4. Remove the towels immediately when they are dry. Overdrying can harm the fibers, so dry them thoroughly without leaving them in the dryer for too long.

4. Fold and Store the Towels


Image Credit:
John Keeble/Moment/GettyImages

Proper storage can help maintain the fluffiness of your towels. Avoid piling too many towels on top of each other in the linen closet. Instead, stack them comfortably to prevent them from being squished together.

  1. Fold the towels. Fold each towel in half with the open end on the left, then fold in half again. Fold the bottom third of the towel up, then fold the top third down.
  2. Place the towels in the linen closet or on a storage shelf with the smooth folded edge facing out for a neater look and easier access.
  3. If desired, place a dryer sheet on the linen closet shelf under or next to the towels to keep them smelling fresh.

Tips for Buying Towels

Soft and fluffy towels start with choosing the right ones. Low-quality towels won’t improve no matter how you wash and dry them. Look for towels made of 100 percent cotton, which is absorbent and durable. The loop count also matters. The more loops per square inch, the better the towel will dry you. A higher thread count usually means more loops.

The method used to construct the threads also affects the quality of the towel. Combed threads remove the shortest fibers, leaving only the longest and strongest ones. Ringspun threads twist short and long fibers tightly together, creating strong and luxurious-feeling threads. Twisted threads are spun together more slowly than ringspun threads, resulting in a softer towel with fewer twists and more absorbency. Terry towels have larger loops for better absorbency and are made with extra thread.

Weight is another factor to consider. Towel weight is measured in grams per square meter (GSM), with the following breakdown:

GSM in Towels

Weight

Properties

300-400 GSM

Light and quick-drying; great for kitchen towels

400-600 GSM

Bath and beach towels are usually medium weight but soft. They are comfortable to use and provide a good balance of absorbency and durability.

Towels with a GSM of 600-900 are considered heavy, thick, and very absorbent. However, they take a long time to dry.

Source(s):
https://www.towelsupercenter.com/Blog/towel-thread-count-explained.html

When buying towels, it’s important to consider both durability and comfort. The best way to choose the right towel for you is to actually feel it before buying. Only shop online once you know which characteristics you prefer.

FAQ

‌Should I wash new towels before using them?‌

Definitely. New towels can have treatments that make them look extra fluffy and soft on store shelves. Additionally, many people may have handled the towels before they reach you. Always wash new towels before using them for the first time.

‌Should I wash towels with hot or cold water?‌

Nowadays, it’s largely a matter of preference. In the past, laundry experts recommended washing white towels in hot water and colored towels in warm water, and some still do. However, with advances in washing machine technology, other experts claim that cold water is just as effective and can help save on energy costs.

‌Can I wash towels with clothes?‌

While you can wash towels with clothes, it’s not recommended. Towels can harbor different types of bacteria than everyday clothes, and you don’t want germs from other items spreading to your towels. Washing towels separately also gives you more control over water temperature and bleach usage, and prevents overdrying.

‌How can I keep my towels fluffy?‌

There are several tips to maintaining fluffy towels. First, stop using fabric softeners, as they can leave a waxy buildup that reduces fluffiness and absorbency. Shake out towels before washing and drying to open up fibers. Avoid overcrowding the washing machine and using too much detergent. Drying towels with wool dryer balls can also help fluff them up.

‌Is it okay to use the same towel for a week?‌

Using the same bath towel for a week is not recommended. Experts suggest washing bath towels every three to four uses and hand towels every two days. If a towel smells like mildew, it’s time for a fresh one.

‌What detergent should I use for towels?‌

Any laundry detergent is okay to use for towels. Bleach can also be used for white towels and color-safe bleach for colored towels, unless the care label says otherwise.

FAQ

1. How often should I wash my towels?

You should wash your towels every three to four uses. Towels tend to accumulate dirt, oils, and dead skin cells, which can lead to odor and bacteria growth. Washing them regularly helps maintain their cleanliness and freshness.

2. Can I wash towels with other clothes?

Yes, you can wash towels with other clothes, but it’s recommended to wash them separately from items like underwear or heavily soiled garments. Towels tend to produce lint, which can stick to other clothes. Additionally, washing towels separately allows for better agitation and ensures they are thoroughly cleaned.

3. What temperature should I use to wash towels?

It’s best to wash towels in warm water. Warm water helps to kill bacteria and remove any oils or dirt that may be present on the towels. Avoid using hot water as it can cause shrinkage and damage the fabric over time.

4. Should I use fabric softener when washing towels?

Using fabric softener is not recommended when washing towels. Fabric softener can leave a residue on the towels, reducing their absorbency and making them less effective at drying. Instead, add a small amount of vinegar to the rinse cycle to help soften the towels without affecting their absorbency.

5. How should I dry my towels?

It’s best to air dry towels whenever possible. Hang them on a drying rack or clothesline in a well-ventilated area. If you prefer using a dryer, set it to a low or medium heat setting to prevent excessive shrinkage. Avoid using dryer sheets as they can also leave a residue on the towels.

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