Washing towels seems easy enough. Just throw them in the washing machine, add detergent and you’re done, right? However, it turns out that they shouldn’t be treated like most fabrics if we want them to stay fluffy and absorbent for many years. Are you wondering how to wash towels? Do you want your rough towels to be soft again? We explain how to do it at home.

Why are towels rough?

Even the most luxurious, high-quality towel can become rough and unpleasant to the touch over time. The use of rough material is not very comfortable, but that is not the only problem. First of all, it is not very absorbent, so it dries poorly after swimming. In addition, if we have sensitive skin, the harsh substance can irritate it. If our towels aren’t as soft and fluffy as they used to be, we haven’t washed them properly.

Why are towels rough? The main cause is cleaning products. If we use too many such agents, they will accumulate on the fibers of the material. Towels also lose their softness if they are washed at the wrong temperature. If it is too low or too high, the fabric will be stiff and unpleasant to the touch. However, the problem is not always caused by the washing method. Towels can also lose their softness due to hard water – the minerals contained in it can also be deposited on the fibers.

Even when washing new towels for the first time, it is worth following a few rules to prevent them from being rough. The recommendations below are general – always check the product label to ensure that the temperature and wash cycle are suitable for the type of material. How to wash towels to keep them soft and absorbent?

  • Wash towels separately, sort them by color (do not put bedding, underwear or clothes in the washing machine at the same time).
  • Before the first wash, soak the towels in water for 24 hours.
  • We put the towels in the washing machine without overfilling the drum.
  • Wash at 40-60°C (or according to the manufacturer’s recommendation on the label).
  • We select the cotton washing program with a long rinse.
  • We do not add powder – liquids, capsules or washing gels will work better (we use them in small quantities). Fabric softeners are best avoided altogether.
  • If you have hard water, use a water softener to prevent limescale.

Homemade method of making soft and fluffy towels

Now we know how to treat new towels. But what should we do with those that we have had at home for a long time and have been rough for a long time? Fortunately, there is no need 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, pour 1 cup of vinegar into the drawer and turn on the washing machine. When done, pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drum. We wash again;
  • Vinegar and essential oil – add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, e.g. of lavender, mint or tea tree to 2 cups of alcohol vinegar. Pour directly into the washing machine drum and put the towels in the washing machine. Wash at a temperature of 40-60°C with an additional rinse setting;
  • Citric acid and baking soda – add 1/2 cup of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of citric acid to the towels in the washing machine drum. We turn on the washing program with a long rinse.

Before we throw away the old, thick towels, let’s give them a chance and use the methods mentioned above. They will regain their former softness and fluffiness, so using them after bathing will be a pleasure again.

Pour into the washing machine drum. Effectively removes musty odors