May I tell you how to wash your bath towels?
Tips for Caring for your New Towels
Good-quality bath towels can last for 10 years with proper care. Always check the label on any of your towels for particular care instructions before proceeding with washing and drying them.
Wash New Towels Before Use
Always wash and dry your bath towels before using them for the first time. 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. Washing new towels removes these finishes and permits maximum absorbency. You may even have to wash your towels two times. It's perfectly okay and normal. Your new towels will definitely get softer, more absorbent and less linty.
Can You Wash Towels with Clothes?
Not really...Washing towels with clothes can transfer germs and bacteria between items in the wash. For sanitary reasons, you should wash bath towels separately from clothing items. Putting towels in their own load also makes it easier to adjust what setting to wash towels based on color. It's also easier to dry towels in the same load since damp towels dry slower than most clothes.
How Often to Wash Towels
Simple Answer - Every three to four days of use. The best way to wash colored towels is in warm water and color-safe bleach, if necessary. For white towels, use hot water and non-chlorine bleach as needed. White towels should be washed separately or with other white items to avoid subtle discoloration over time
Washing Towels with Vinegar
To prevent colors from bleeding, wash colored towels with similar shades in warm water for the first several washes. Use about half the recommended amount of detergent while washing towels and add 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar to the water during the rinse cycle. The vinegar helps set the colors and removes excess detergent residue. No pain, no gain!
How to Use Fabric Softener with Towels
Easy does it! Use fabric softener according to directions, but add it only every three or four washes. 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 when using fabric softener with towels.
Shake Towels Before Drying
Give your towels a shake when taking them out of the washer. This will help fluff the terry loops that aid absorbency. Don't iron terry towels, which will reduce absorbency. Shaking your towels will also help prevent them from twisting into a ball in the dryer, shortening the drying time.
How to Dry Towels
Ensure that towels are dry when you remove them from the dryer, keeping in mind that clothing dries quicker than towels. Even slightly damp towels can quickly mildew. The best dryer setting for towels is the regular or automatic setting that you use for other durable fabrics. This will use the highest heat and be most efficient in getting the job done. Avoid over-drying; it can destroy the integrity of the individual cotton fibers.
How to Fold Towels
Fold bath and hand towels in thirds for the best use of shelf space. 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. When storing, face the outer edge of the towel to the front to make it easy to grab a single towel.
