How to Wash Towels and Keep Them Soft and Fluffy
Have you noticed your towels feeling rough or less absorbent after a few washes? There’s nothing quite like wrapping yourself in plush, fluffy towels after a shower, but improper washing can quickly make them scratchy and flat.
Luckily, with the right techniques, you can keep your towels feeling brand-new wash after wash.
This guide will walk you through the importance of proper towel care, explain the items you’ll need, and provide step-by-step instructions for washing and drying towels to keep them soft and luxurious.
Why Keeping Towels Clean and Properly Washed Matters
Towels are one of the most hardworking items in our homes. They absorb water, sweat, and oils while also accumulating bacteria and dead skin cells over time.
Proper washing is essential not just for hygiene but also for maintaining their softness, absorbency, and overall quality.
Skipping proper care can lead to rough, scratchy towels that feel unpleasant on your skin. But with these tried-and-true methods, your towels can stay fluffy and fresh for years to come.
How Often Should You Wash Towels?
The frequency with which you wash your towels depends on a few factors, but a general rule is to wash towels once a week.
This ensures that any buildup of bacteria, odor, or oils is addressed before it affects the quality or smell of the towels.
When to wash more often:
- Daily use: If one towel is used by multiple people, it’s advisable to wash it more frequently.
- Humid environments: If you live in a humid climate where towels don’t dry fully, bacteria may accumulate faster.
- After illness: Towels used during a cold or flu should be washed immediately to prevent the spread of germs.
Items You’ll Need to Wash Towels
Before washing your towels, gather the following items to achieve the best results:
- Laundry detergent: Regular or specialty detergent, carefully measured to avoid buildup.
- Bleach or laundry sanitizer: Essential for removing lingering bacteria, especially from white towels.
- White vinegar: Naturally softens towels and removes residue.
- Baking soda: Helps eliminate odors and restore absorbency.
Avoid using fabric softener or dryer sheets as they leave a waxy coating that can reduce the absorbency of your towels.
Step-by-Step Guide to Washing Towels
Follow these steps for soft, fluffy towels every time you wash them.
1. Use the Hottest Water Setting
Set your washing machine to the hottest water setting suitable for your towels.
Hot water kills germs, dissolves oils, and helps the detergent work effectively. Don’t forget to choose a cycle with an extra rinse if available.
2. Add Detergent (Carefully!)
Use the correct amount of detergent based on your laundry load.
Too much detergent can leave residue, making towels feel stiff over time.
Pro Tip: Avoid detergents with fabric softeners, as they can interfere with your towels’ absorbency.
3. Include Bleach or Sanitizer
To ensure your towels are truly clean, add bleach (for white towels) or a color-safe sanitizer (for colored towels) to eliminate bacteria.
Follow the product instructions to measure the correct amount for your load.
4. Pre-Soak for 15 Minutes
Once the wash cycle starts, stop the machine and allow the towels to soak in the water-detergent mixture for 15 minutes.
This gives sanitizers time to kill bacteria and ensures the detergent thoroughly penetrates the fibers.
5. Complete the Wash Cycle
Restart your washing machine and finish the cycle as usual. For heavily soiled towels, consider adding a second rinse to remove every last trace of detergent and bacteria.
Tips for Drying Towels
Proper drying is just as important as washing when it comes to maintaining soft, fluffy towels.
Shake Them Out
Before putting your towels in the dryer, give them a good shake to help the fibers fluff up and prevent them from clumping together.
Choose the Right Dryer Setting
Use a regular heat cycle or the “cotton” setting if your dryer has one. High heat can damage towel fibers, so avoid over-drying.
Use Wool Dryer Balls
Throw in wool dryer balls to reduce drying time and help maintain the towels’ fluffiness.
Dryer balls work by separating the towels during the drying cycle, which keeps air circulating and softens the fabric.
Avoid Dryer Sheets: Just like fabric softener, dryer sheets leave a residue that reduces absorbency.
Ensure Towels Are Completely Dry
Remove towels from the dryer only when they are 100% dry to prevent mildew or musty odors.
Extra Tips for Even Softer Towels
- Add Baking Soda: Add half a cup of baking soda to your towel wash every month to eliminate odors and restore the softness of the fibers.
- Skip Fabric Softener: While it may seem like a shortcut to soft towels, fabric softeners actually coat the fibers and make them less plush over time.
- Refresh Stiff Towels: If your towels feel scratchy, run them through one cycle with 1 cup of vinegar (no detergent), followed by a second cycle with 1 cup of baking soda. This removes buildup and revives softness.
Why Clean Towels Are Worth the Effort
Taking the time to properly wash and care for your towels pays off in the long run.
Not only will your towels feel soft and luxurious after every wash, but they’ll also stay hygienic, last longer, and maintain their absorbency for years.
Say goodbye to rough, scratchy towels and hello to spa-like comfort every time you step out of the shower. Follow the steps in this guide, and your towels will look and feel as good as new.