Learn how to wash towels in the right way (in the washing machine or not), as well as tips for drying and folding towels like a pro.
These simple care tips will help keep our towels softer and last longer.
Washing towels appears simple, but following the right method is essential if you want them to last.
While you can clean a towel by simply tossing it into the washing machine, these helpful tips help keep your towels looking and feeling fresh even after several washes.
With the proper washing and drying techniques, we can avoid musty odors and faded colors to preserve the soft, fluffy texture of your towels.
For the best smelling laundry tips, follow this handy guide that covers how often you should wash your towels, whether you can wash towels with clothes, and what setting to use when washing towels with different colors and fabrics.
Before we learn how to wash towels, note that you should clean them before first-time use.
Most new towels are coated with silicone or other finishes that block absorbency.
This coating gives them that extra-fluffy look and feel at the store.
Washing your new towels removes these finishes and allows for maximum absorbency.
To prevent colors from bleeding, wash colored towels with similar shades in warm water for the first several washes.
Use about half the recommended amount of detergent while washing and add 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar to the water during the rinse cycle.
The vinegar helps set the colors and removes excess detergent residue.
You no longer have to guess how often should you wash your towels—the answer is every three to four days.
The best way to wash colored towels is with warm water and color-safe bleach, if necessary.
For white towels, use hot water and non-chlorine bleach as needed.
White towels should be washed separately or with other white items to avoid subtle discoloration over time.
Washing towels with clothes can transfer germs and bacteria between items in the wash.
For sanitary reasons, you should always wash bath towels separately from clothing items.
Putting towels in their own load also makes it easier to adjust the setting based on color.
It's also easier to dry towels in the same load since damp towels dry slower than most clothes.
Use fabric softener according to directions but add it only every three or four washes.
Waxy buildup from softeners can deteriorate the towel fibers over time and reduce their absorbency.
No one wants a towel that's not fluffy, so be careful when using fabric softener with towels.
Give your towels a shake when taking them out of the washer.
This will help fluff the terry loops that aid absorbency.
Don't iron terry towels, which will reduce absorbency.
Shaking your towels also helps prevent them from twisting into a ball in the dryer, lengthening their drying time.
0
0