Towels are an item in your home that get quite a bit of use day-to-day. They dry you off after a long shower, they keep you warm, they tousle your hair! But have you been able to find the best way to wash them for long lasting softness and durability? Our guide to how to wash towels will teach you all about how to achieve the best wash for any type of towel you use in your home.
How to Wash Towels
1. Sort Towels
The first step when it comes to how to clean a towel is to prepare the laundry! Sort the towels you need to wash into two piles: white towels, and colorful ones. We’re going to wash these separately, as washing them together will lead to subtle discoloration over time.
2. Choose Water Temperature and Wash Cycle
Wash colorful towels in cold water to save energy. White towels can be washed in cold water as well, or in hot water if they need a bit of brightening! Regular cotton towels can be washed on a regular or heavy setting. If you have more delicate or decorative towels, consult the care label for best practices.
3. Add a Softener
To soften towels, try our Fabric Softener pods! Dropps Fabric Softener Pods are made up of tiny minerals that flow through the fabric, naturally softening without decreasing absorbency.
4. Fight Musty Odors
If musty odors refuse to wash out, try washing the towels with ½ cup of baking soda sans detergent, then rewash the towels with detergent. To prevent musty smells from developing in the first place, remember to hang your towels to dry after each use, and don’t toss wet or damp towels into a hamper or laundry basket. Letting wet towels sit is how they develop that musty, mildewy odor. Yuck!
5. Choose your Dryer Settings
When pulling towels out of the wash, shake them out and toss them into your dryer. Add Wool Dryer Balls to encourage quicker drying and a fluffier outcome. For an extra scent, drop a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the wool balls! We recommend drying on low heat to prevent stiffness.
6. Fully Dry
Make sure the towels are completely dry before removing them from the dryer. Towels take longer to dry than clothes and even a hint of lingering moisture can cause odor.
Extra Tips
- Don’t overload your washer! Towels can be heavy, and too many packed in at a time can prevent proper rinsing, with detergent lingering in each article.
- Avoid traditional fabric softener, which can coat the fibers with residue and inhibit water absorption over time.
- Not sure how often to wash towels? We recommend washing your towels every 3-4 days for optimal hygiene!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have more questions about how to wash towels? We have answers!
How do you wash towels in the washing machine?
Cotton towels are pretty resilient, and don’t require too much special care. You can wash towels in the washing machine on a regular setting. If you have decorative or delicate towels, consult the care label for the best way to wash them.
Do you wash towels on hot or cold? Is it OK to wash towels in cold water?
Questioning whether you should wash towels in cold or hot water? It’s up to you! We recommend washing towels in cold water to save energy and keep colors bright. If you are cleaning white towels, you may want to use hot water (and an Oxi Booster Pod) for extra brightening!
How do you wash towels so they stay fluffy?
Looking to learn how to wash bath towels so they stay fluffy? We have a few tips to make sure your bath towels stay soft and luxurious.
- Avoid using traditional fabric softeners, which clog fibers and make them less fluffy. Try Dropps Fabric Softener Pods instead.
- Using too much detergent can leave a residue on your towels which makes them stiff. If you have a heavy hand when it comes to detergent, try using a pre-measured pod.
- After removing towels from the dryer, give them a good shake to fluff up the fibers.