How to take care of towels to keep them soft and absorbent?

After every bath or hand wash, we want to dry our skin with a fluffy and soft towel. Unfortunately, over time, towels can lose their properties, becoming rough, not very absorbent and lacking freshness. To enjoy soft, absorbent towels for years to come, it's a good idea to follow a few rules for their care. We will suggest what to do to always have fluffy towels at home that will wrap us in softness and warmth every time we use them.

Buying good quality towels - how does washing towels affect you?

The first step to maintaining the softness and absorbency of towels is to choose the right products, so it is worth betting on high-quality fabrics. The best choices are cotton and terry towels, which are not only pleasant to the touch, but also extremely absorbent. Cotton is a natural material that is excellent at absorbing moisture while allowing the skin to breathe. It is worth paying attention to the grammage of the towels - the higher it is, the thicker and more absorbent the bath towel will be. Good quality bathroom towels should have a grammage of 500-700 g/m².

How to properly wash towels in the washing machine?

Just follow a few basic rules for the preservation of the properties of towels, so that they always look like new. This will ensure that the material will effectively absorb water, which is one of the key aspects of the.

The first wash is extremely important for new towels, as proper preparation of the material affects its further durability. New towels often have residues of chemicals used during production on their surface, which can weaken their absorbency. To prevent this, before using the towels for the first time, soak them for several hours in cold water and only after that wash them.

At what temperature to wash towels? Such information is always on the label sewn into the product, which is worth reading to know what to do and what not to do. The optimal washing temperature for bath towels is 40-60 degrees Celsius. Contrary to what you might think, high wash temperatures contribute to their faster deterioration by damaging their fiber. In addition, we should set the spinning to low speed if possible.

Also pay attention to what to wash towels with. Using too much detergent can lead to stress on the fiber of the towel, which affects its absorbency.

Always sort towels before washing - do not put them in the washing machine together with other clothes and, very importantly, separate white or generally light-colored towels from colored towels to avoid color transfer.

Regular washing - how often do you need to wash your bath towels?

The frequency of washing towels depends on the intensity of their use. For hygienic reasons, we should often wash the towels that serve us to wipe hands. We use them most of the time, so that they remain moist on a large one and bacteria can grow in them. Therefore, it is best to wash such bathroom towels no less than 2-3 times a week, and this will keep them perfectly clean. For bath towels, it is a good idea to wash them once a week.

It is important not to overload the washing machine - towels need space to wash freely. An overloaded washing machine will not allow detergent and water to mix properly, which can lead to inaccurate rinsing of towels.

When washing bath towels, it is best to use mild detergents that do not contain aggressive chemicals. It is also worth remembering to wash towels of similar colors, avoiding mixing light and dark fabrics, which can lead to staining of the material.

How to wash towels to make them soft and fluffy?

Although fabric softeners may seem like an ideal solution for keeping towels soft, they actually negatively affect the hygroscopicity of the fabric. All rinse liquids form a film on the fibers of the towels, which reduces their ability to absorb moisture. Instead of softeners, just pour vinegar in the liquid compartment, and in the case of white towels - baking soda (colored towels may lose color under its influence). This will help remove residual chemicals and stabilize the color of the towels.

In addition, soaking towels in warm water with a glass of white vinegar for several hours will help neutralize odors.

Towel drying - how to dry towels properly?

The last stage of washing towels that should be paid special attention to is drying them. After removing the towels from the washing machine, the best way to achieve optimal results is to combine tumble drying and outdoor drying, where they can breathe freely and dry naturally. If you use a tumble dryer, it's a good idea to choose a low-temperature program or a program designed specifically for drying towels.

Drying towels at too high a temperature can lead to damage to the fibers, which will affect their softness - they will become rough and less absorbent. Also, drying for too long can negatively affect their structure. To ensure that the towels retain their softness, it is a good idea to take them out of the dryer while they are still slightly damp, and then let them dry naturally.

However, if you do not have a tumble dryer in your home, washed towels are best dried outside in an airy place, but avoid exposing towels to direct sunlight.

Proper storage of towels

Storage of towels is equally important to preserve their properties. Towels are best stored in a dry, well-ventilated place, away from moisture. If you have the opportunity you can roll them in drawers or on shelves - this will help avoid creases and keep them fresh.

Avoid storing towels in closed, humid areas such as the bathroom, where they can be subject to mold growth and odors. However, if you must store towels in the bathroom, make sure the room is well ventilated and dry.

How to care for cotton towels?

Cotton towels are among the most popular and appreciated for their softness and absorbency. To enjoy their excellent properties for longer, it is worth following a few additional rules.

First, do not iron cotton towels. The high temperature of the iron can damage the cotton fibers, making the towels rough. Instead of ironing, it is better to simply shake the towels thoroughly after washing and drying to keep them fluffy.

Second, cotton towels can lose their absorbency if they are wringed too much or overloaded during washing. To prevent this, it's a good idea to use detergents for delicate fabrics and spin towels on gentle speed.

How to refresh old towels?

Over time, even the best towels can lose their softness and absorbency. Fortunately, there are ways to refresh old towels and restore them to their former glory. One of them is washing towels with baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda will help remove detergent deposits from towels, which reduce absorbency, and vinegar will soften fabrics.

To refresh your towels, add half a cup of baking soda to the drum of your washing machine along with your towels, then run a standard washing program. On the next cycle, add half a cup of vinegar to the rinse aid compartment. After washing, the towels will be soft, fresh and more absorbent. To cancel out the smell of vinegar, it is worth adding a few drops of essential oil to the wash.

How to take care of towels in the long run?

In addition to regular care, there are a few additional rules that you should incorporate into your daily routine so that your bathroom towels will retain their properties for years to come.

First, it's a good idea to have several sets of towels that we will rotate. This will give each kit time to fully dry between use. Current towels should be hung up to dry after each use so they don't hang damp for too long on the bathroom rack.

Second, regularly check the condition of your towels. If you notice that the towel is losing its softness, consider replacing it or using the refreshing methods described earlier. Some towels may need to be replaced after several years of heavy use, so it's worth investing in new products from time to time.

You already know at how many degrees to wash towels, and that choosing the right program is key to not ruining the towels at the start. By purchasing quality towels, regular care and following the above tips, your bath towels will look like new, providing you with comfort and convenience every day.