Knowing how to wash towels the right way (and how often) can help your bathroom linens last for many years. It can also save you money on constantly replacing them. That's why we talked to a laundry expert for tips on doing laundry. Here are the best ways to keep your towels soft and smelling fresh.
Tips Before Washing Towels
Before washing, always separate your towels into whites and colors. Washing them together will lead to subtle discoloration over time. While you can get rid of some discoloration on your white towels with bleach, use it selectively (only every few washes). Bleach is excellent for removing stains from white towels, but frequent use will break down fibers and shorten their lifespan.
Also, always wash new towels before using them for the first time. As soon as you bring new towels home, toss them into the wash to remove any chemicals that manufacturers may have used to make them look fluffy and feel soft in the store. This extra step can also help reduce lint and any musty smells.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Washing machine
- Dryer
Materials
- Detergent
- Non-chlorine bleach or sodium percarbonate
- Fabric softener or white vinegar
- Wool laundry balls
- Essential oils (optional)
- Baking soda
Instructions
How to Wash Towels in a Machine
Wash Towels With Detergent
- Add towels to the washer and avoid overloading the washing machine. Towels are heavy and will take a toll on your machine, plus they might not wash and rinse correctly if everything is packed in.
- If your towels (new or used) have an unpleasant scent, wash them with ½ cup of baking soda (minus detergent) first and then rewash the towels with detergent.
- Add no more than two tablespoons of detergent for a full load of towels in a high-efficiency machine. Any more might cause a buildup that limits absorbency.
- Wash white towels using hot water, detergent, and a non-chlorine bleach or natural fabric brightener (like sodium percarbonate) according to package directions. White towels stay brighter when washed in hot water.
- Wash colorful towels in warm water using detergent with color-safe bleach. Color towels can fade over time if washed in hot water.
Wash towels on a normal (regular) cycle or a towel cycle if available. You can also wash towels on a sanitizing cycle, but this setting is probably best for every few washes rather than every wash.
Soften Towels With Vinegar
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For softer towels, use fabric softener during the wash cycle. Just remember to use it sparingly and skip washes between fabric softener use to prevent buildup. Only add it to every third or fourth wash. If you prefer a more natural alternative, use ¼ cup of white vinegar instead.
If you use vinegar, skip the bleach. Combining the two can cause harmful fumes.
Shake Then Dry Towels
- Once they're laundered, shake the towels out before drying. If you throw them into the dryer all bunched up, they may take longer to dry and could retain stubborn creases.
- Next, place the towels in the dryer with wool laundry balls. To prevent overheating—which can tighten the fibers, making them stiffer and less absorbent—dry towels together on a low setting.
- Make sure towels are completely dry before removing them from the dryer. And don't let wet towels sit in the washing machine for an extended period, as it can cause a mildewy odor. Towels take longer to dry than clothes, and even a hint of lingering moisture can cause odor.
To impart a light scent, add a few drops of essential oil to the wool balls. Wool laundry balls are a natural alternative to dryer sheets and can be used to fluff the towels and help them dry faster. Clean tennis balls (instead of wool balls) work, too, but skip the essential oils.
How Often to Wash Towels
Towels should be washed frequently. According to scientist Mary Johnson, a standard bath towel can be used three or four times—under normal circumstances—before it needs to be tossed into the washer.1 This washing frequency applies to normal circumstances, meaning the towel has been left to dry properly (spread out on a towel rack to reduce moisture), not bunched up and crumpled up on the floor.
Some towels should be washed even more frequently. For example, hand towels should be replaced every two days, and beach towels should be washed after every use. If you can't remember how many times you've used your towel, Johnson says a good indicator is the musty towel smell. "Stink and odor are caused by mildew invisible to the naked eye but not to our noses," Johnson explains. "If your towels look clean but still smell bad, it means they're not truly clean."
How to Keep Your Towels Clean Longer
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To help your towels stay clean, smell fresh between washes, and last longer, follow this advice:
- Hang towels after each use and let them dry before tossing them into a hamper or laundry basket. After your shower or bath, hang your towel across a bar or shower rod so it can dry thoroughly. This will help prevent bacterial growth (and a musty, mildewy odor) and extend the time between washes. Avoid using hooks, which can cause moisture to get trapped within the fabric's folds.
- Keep two towels per person. Have at least two bath towels for each person in your household. When one is in the wash, the other can be in the bathroom. Keep four hand towels per person since they're used (and therefore washed) more frequently.
- Be mindful of your body care routine. If you use benzoyl peroxide creams or whitening toothpaste, know that these could cause discoloration on your towels. Set aside special washcloths to use exclusively with these ingredients. (Some towels are marketed as stain-resistant, but they are not always effective.)