So, we all know towels are essentially huge, absorbent sponges for all things gross, sweat, soap scum, dead skin cells, and that mysterious humidity in bathrooms. Yep, your towels are soaking all that up. Ever grabbed a “clean” towel and been blasted with some funky, sour-smelling funk? You know why learning the right way to wash towels matters now.
I have refined and tested a system over the years that keeps my towels fresh, soft, and not as stiff as cardboard. If you’re fed up with scratchy towels or that weird lingering smell, stay tuned; this is simply good towel maintenance and is definitely NOT rocket science.
What Makes Towels Feel Stiff Or Smell Bad After A While?
Your towels don’t turn into yucky towels overnight. It’s usually the gradual accumulation of things we never really consider. Using too much detergent (ironically) will make your towels stiff because there is still remaining soap in the fibers that didn’t get washed out. The same applies to fabric softener; it coats the fibers with a layer of substance that traps dirt and makes your towels feel flat instead of fluffy.
Another factor is if you always pack your washer to capacity, your towels won’t be able to rinse properly. Also, adding in the fact that moisture gets stuck in thick towel fabric and voila, mildew city. And to top it off, if you live in an area with hard water? It creates mineral deposits that solidify the cotton loops. Yay!
Pre-Wash Quick Prep Steps
You shouldn’t just toss those towels in like it’s a game of laundry roulette. Some basic preparation makes a big difference.
Take the time to shake out the towels to remove loose hair, lint, and that annoying grit from the beach. Sort your towels by color (light colors vs dark colors) and by type; don’t mix your plush cotton bath towels with your delicate bamboo or microfiber towels.
Also, please don’t wash towels with your jeans or anything that has zippers. There’s nothing that destroys a good towel faster than a rogue zipper snagging all the loops.
New Towels? Wash Them Separately First
Washing your brand new towels a couple of times before mixing them in with your other towels will reduce the amount of lint they produce, and allow them to absorb water better.
How To Wash Towels (Step By Step)
This is the process I follow consistently. It’s easy, requires nothing special, and keeps towels clean and soft without destroying them.
- Wash Towels In Warm Or Hot Water
For most cotton towels, I prefer to use either warm or hot water to kill bacteria and break down oils. However, check your towels’ care label to see if it says you should only use cold water if they’re colored or made of delicate material. I prefer to use warm water for my dark towels to prevent fading.
- Don’t Overdo It On The Detergent
Use less detergent than the recommended amount on the detergent bottle. More detergent than needed results in residue on your towels, resulting in stiff and scratchy towels.
- Avoid Fabric Softener
Fabric softener may make your towels smell nice, but it leaves a film on the fibers that prevents them from absorbing. Believe me, your towels will feel softer and more absorbent without fabric softener once you stop using it.
- Add White Vinegar To Rinse Occasionally
Every few washes, add ½ cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle. This will help dissolve any remaining detergent and eliminate any lingering odors. Vinegar is like the secret agent of towel laundry.
- Don’t Pack Your Washer Too Full
This is often overlooked, but towels need enough space to move around in order to rinse. I try to keep my washer no more than two thirds full at any given time.
How To Dry Towels For Maximum Fluff
We all mess up in the drying department without even realizing it. I dry my towels on medium heat. High heat can ruin the fibers in your towels and cause them to become stiff over time. I also put a couple of dryer balls (which are wool) into the dryer with my towels. These help to separate the towels and speed up the drying process.
Don’t let your towels dry out in the dryer until they are completely dry to the touch. Take them out while they’re still slightly damp and give them a good shake to loosen up any wrinkles before folding. If you want to line-dry your towels, that’s okay too, but a quick spin in the dryer will help to soften them up again.
The drying process is half the battle when trying to maintain fluffy towels.
How Frequently Should You Wash Towels?
In the past, I’ve been guilty of being lax with washing my towels, until I realized why my towels smelled even after I had washed them. Today, I wash my bath towels approximately every 3-4 uses. If it’s humid outside, or I’ve been sick, I’ll wash them sooner.
Hand towels are washed approximately every 2-3 days because everyone touches them. Gym towels, or beach towels? Those are washed immediately after each use. Period.
Also, remember to hang your towels to air dry completely between uses. Mildew city is waiting for you if you bunch them up.
Trouble-Shooting Common Towel Issues
Here’s what I do when my towels start causing problems:
Smells Musty Even After Washing
Do a hot cycle with 1 cup of vinegar (with NO detergent). Then wash your towels normally. Hang them to dry completely to prevent future mold issues.
Stiff or Scratchy Towels
Residue. Do a strip-wash with hot water and vinegar, and do an extra rinse to get rid of the excess residue.
No Longer Absorbent
Fabric softener has ruined your towels again. Stop using fabric softener and use vinegar rinses. Use less detergent.
Too Much Lint
A common issue with new towels. Wash them separately the first few times you wash them, and always clean your dryer lint trap.
