It is possible to prolong the life of towels and bathroom linens and reduce costs by learning how to wash them. The truth is that towels get worn out and soiled, even while owning matching spa-quality hand and bath towels may be seen as a status symbol or at the very least an indication that you’re finally an adult.
Here’s a secret, though: if you handle your towels well the first time, they will last for a very long time and you won’t have to replace them regularly.
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Tips Before Washing Towels
Separate towels by colour: Towels should always be kept segregated into colours and whites. Wash them individually after that. Over time, washing them together will cause a slight discolouration.
Avoid using too much fabric softener: In order to avoid accumulation both on the cloth and within your washing machine, only apply fabric softener every third or fourth wash.
Pre-treat to remove musty odours: Towels that smell bad should be washed with ½ cup of baking soda (without detergent) before being washed again with detergent. Before using new towels for the first time, wash them. To eliminate any chemicals used by manufacturers to make new towels appear fluffy and feel soft at the store, wash them as soon as you bring them home. Additionally, this can lessen lint.
Use the bleach sparingly: While bleach works wonders for getting rid of stains on white towels, repeated use will weaken the fibres and reduce the towel’s longevity. Think about using bleach after a few washings.
How Often to Wash Towels
It’s important to wash towels frequently. Under normal circumstances, a typical bath towel can be used three or four times before needing to be thrown in the laundry.
Beach towels should be laundered after each usage, but hand towels should be changed every two days. To stop the transmission of bacteria, it is best to replace a family member’s towel after each use if they are or have been ill.
If you are unable to recall how often you have used your towel, the scent of a musty towel is a reliable clue. Odour and stink are created by mildew that is imperceptible to the human eye but detectable by our noses.
How to Machine Wash Towels
Using detergent, wash the towels
As directed on the package, wash white towels in hot water with detergent and a non-chlorine bleach or natural fabric brightener (such as sodium percarbonate). Washing white towels in hot water preserves their brightness.
Use a detergent that contains colour-safe bleach and warm water to wash colourful towels. If towels are washed in hot water, colour may fade over time.
In a high-efficiency washer, add no more than two tablespoons of detergent for a full load of towels. Any additional could result in a buildup that reduces absorbency.
Soften Towels With Vinegar
Use fabric softener during the wash cycle to get softer towels. (To avoid accumulation, use fabric softener sparingly and skip washes in between applications.) If you would rather go with a more organic option, substitute ¼ cup of white vinegar.
After Shaking, Dry Towels
Shake the towels well after washing and let them air dry. They could take longer to dry and might keep their obstinate creases if you put them all in the dryer bunched up.
After that, put the towels and wool washing balls in the dryer. Dry towels together on a low setting to avoid overheating, which can tighten the fibres and make them stiffer and less absorbent. To give the wool balls a subtle aroma, mix in a few drops of essential oil.
You can use clean tennis balls (instead of wool balls) to help the towels dry faster and fluff them up. Just remember to leave out the essential oils. Wool laundry balls are a natural substitute for dryer sheets.
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