Washing towels seems pretty simple. Just throw them in the washing machine, add detergents and you’re done, right? But it turns out that you shouldn’t treat them the same as most fabrics if you want them to stay fluffy and absorbent for many years. Wondering how to wash towels? Want to make rough towels soft again? We explain how to do it in a homemade way.
Why are towels rough?
Even the most luxurious, highest quality towel over time can become rough and unpleasant to the touch. Using a stiff material is not very comfortable, but this is not the only problem. First of all, it is not very absorbent, so it does not dry well after a bath. Moreover, if we have sensitive skin, the rough fabric can irritate it. If our towels are not as soft and fluffy as they used to be, we have washed them the wrong way.
Why are towels rough? The main cause is detergents. If we use such detergents too much, they will deposit on the fibers of the material. Towels also lose their softness due to improper washing temperature. If it is too low or too high, the fabric will become stiff and unpleasant to the touch. However, it is not always the way of washing that causes the problem. Towels can also lose their softness due to hard water – the minerals in it can also settle on the fibers.
Improper washing and the use of too much detergent make towels rough. Photo: serezniy/123RF.com
From the first washing of new towels, it is worth following a few rules that will prevent them from becoming rough. The recommendations below are general – always check the product label to make sure that the temperature and washing cycle are suitable for the type of material. How to wash towels so that they remain soft and absorbent?
- Wash towels separately, segregating them by color (do not put bedding, underwear and clothes in the washing machine at the same time).
- Before the first washing, we soak the fabrics in water for 24 hours.
- Put towels in the washing machine, without overfilling the drum.
- We wash at a temperature of 40-60°C (according to the manufacturer’s recommendations on the label).
- We choose a program for washing cotton with a long rinse.
- Do not add powder – liquids, capsules or washing gels will work better (use them in small amounts). It is best to dispense with rinse liquid altogether.
- If you have hard water, use a washing machine detergent to prevent limescale build-up.
Home remedy for soft and fluffy towels
We already know how to handle new towels. But what to do with the ones that we have long had in the house and have long been rough? Fortunately, you don’t have to replace them – there are several ways to restore their lost softness. Here are the best of them:
- Baking soda and vinegar – put the towels in the washing machine. Instead of detergent, we pour 1 cup of spirit vinegar into the drawer and turn on the wash. When it’s finished, we pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drum. Wash again;
- Vinegar and essential oil – add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, such as lavender, peppermint or tea tree, to 2 cups of spirit vinegar. Pour directly into the drum of the washing machine and put the towels. Wash at 40-60°C, setting an extra rinse;
- Citric acid and baking soda – add 1/2 cup of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of citric acid to the towels in the drum of the washing machine. Turn on the washing program with a long rinse cycle.
Before throwing away old, rough towels, give them a chance and apply the above-mentioned methods. They will regain their former softness and fluffiness, so using them after a bath will again be nothing but pleasure.
