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Learn how to wash towels keep them soft and fluffy for years to come.
Washing towels may appear simple, but following the correct method is essential if you want them to last.
Credit: Laura Moss
(They’ll feel even better when heated on atowel warmer!)
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.
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Washing just-purchased towels removes these finishes and allows for maximum absorbency.
The vinegar helps set the colors and removesexcess detergent residue.
The best way to wash colored towels is with warm water and color-safe bleach, if necessary.
Credit: Jay Wilde
For white towels, use hot water andnon-chlorine bleachas needed.
White towels should be washed separately or withother white itemsto avoid subtle discoloration over time.
Putting towels in their own load also makes it easier to adjust the setting based on color.
Credit:BHG /Laura Wheatley
It’s also more efficient todry towelsin the same load since damp towels dry slower than most clothes.
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 whenusing fabric softenerwith towels.
Credit: Edmund Barr Photographer
Shake Before Drying
Give your towels a shake when taking themout of the washer.
This will help fluff the terry loops that aid absorbency.
Don’t iron terry towels, which will reduce absorbency.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Shaking your towels also helps prevent them fromtwisting into a ballin the dryer, lengthening their drying time.
Even slightly damp towelscan quickly mildew.
The best dryer setting for towels is the regular or automatic setting that you use for other durable fabrics.
Credit:BHG / Laura Wheatley
This will use the highest heat and be most efficient in getting the job done.
It can destroy the integrity of the individual cotton fibers.
Some towels feature decorative trims to add a softdesign elementamid the hard, shiny surfaces of the bathroom.
Fluffy white towels give a clean,spa-like feelto a primary, guest, or shared family bath.
You may want to buy extra colored towels because they tend to fade over time.
The manufacturing process and the choice of material affect a towel’s absorbency.
Bottom line: the number of loops per square inch is the most critical indicator of towel performance.
Check the Labels
Good-quality bath towels can last for 10 years with proper care.
Always check the label on your towels for particular care instructions before proceeding with washing and drying.
Fold the towel in half, with open ends to the left, then fold in half again.
Fold up the bottom third of the towel, then fold the top third down.
Linen bathroom hand towels can besafely ironed for a crisp finish.
After ironing, fold linen towels in thirds like other towels.
To get towels fluffy, it’s best to use thedryer.
Yes, you’re able to wash towels and sheets together.
Just be sure to sort them by weight and color.
Remember that it takes longer for a heavy towel to dry than a cotton sheet.
So if you wash them together, you should dry them separately.
So, if you’re washing many towels, it’s better to dry fewer at a time.
Yes, it’s possible for you to place wet towels in the washing machine.
Remove your towels as soon as the cycle is complete.
