It is a good idea to use about half of the suggested amount of laundry detergent you would typically use for best results. Most detergents are fine for washing towels, so your favorite should work just fine.
Use a mild detergent when washing towels. If you notice your towels feel stiff, try using half as much. Detergent can build up on fibers over time, reducing absorbency and fluffiness.
Generally, warm or hot water is recommended for washing towels. Use a cycle specifically for towels or a normal/regular cycle. A sanitizing cycle can also be used, but may not be recommended for every wash, depending on the towel fabric.
Use warm to medium hot water on a normal washing cycle
However, the general rule of thumb is to put towels through a regular cycle at a medium-hot temperature, just hot enough to kill off any bacteria and remove loose towel fibres. However, you should check the care labels for product-specific instructions.
You shouldn't wash towels with clothes because towels produce more lint, can be abrasive on delicate fabrics, and their thicker material can retain detergent, leaving clothes less clean.
What is the best detergent to wash towels? Heritage Park All-Purpose Laundry Detergent is a great choice for washing towels. It is a pH-neutral, plant-based, detergent that uses a proprietary enzyme blend to remove dirt, stains and odors without damaging fabric.
Incorporating natural additives such as vinegar or baking soda during the wash cycle can further enhance softness. Advanced drying methods, utilizing commercial-grade dryers with precise drying cycles, play a crucial role in preserving the towels' plush texture.
The bulky wash cycle is an ideal washing machine setting for large items such as blankets, comforters, towels, outerwear, small rugs, and pillows.
Add your detergent to your washing machine. If you choose, add a color-safe bleach to remove strong stains without damaging the towels. For an extra brightness boost, use half the recommended amount of detergent while washing and add 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar to the water during the rinse cycle, says Mooney.
This cycle is similar to bulky, however, heavy duty is better for dirtier and thicker garments like work clothes, coats, towels, and even bedding. We recommend using the heavy duty wash cycle to wash: Towels.
Hotels typically use a combination of water softeners and high-quality laundry detergents. They often employ specific washing cycles that include an extra rinse to remove any residual cleaning products, which helps maintain the towels' softness.
There are several potential causes, including detergent residue, mineral buildup, and friction during the washing process. Towels are absorbent, which means they're especially prone to collecting soap and fabric softener residue that doesn't properly rinse out in the wash.
How often should I wash my bath towels? Dead skin cells, bacteria, and even sweat can accumulate quickly on your towels, so using a fresh one about every three days is a simple rule of thumb—for all kinds of towels.
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.
The Reason Why Towels Can Smell Bad
Mildew smells tend to intensify in warm, moist environments, so a bunched-up, wet towel left in the washing machine drum or at the bottom of your laundry basket provides just the right circumstances for that mildew smell to develop.
For super soft towels, add fabric conditioner to your load of laundry. Pouring a bit of liquid fabric conditioner like Lenor into your machine's dispenser drawer will prevent your towels from fading, stretching and bobbling during the wash, acting as a lubricant and helping to make them feel soft.
Use Less Detergent – Using too much laundry detergent can cause your towels to get stiff. It is a good idea to use about half of the suggested amount of laundry detergent you would typically use for best results. Most detergents are fine for washing towels, so your favorite should work just fine.
How Much Laundry Detergent Should You Use? “You don't ever need more than two tablespoons,” Richardson says. And that's for a full load of sheets and towels.
Wash towels separately from the rest of your laundry. If your towels aren't cotton, avoid temperatures higher than 40°. *if you don't have a cotton program on your machine, use the 'White/Colors' cycle.
Wash Every Few Days
The best way to wash colored towels is with 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.
While you can wash your towels in cold water, Sheridan's experts recommend the occasional deep wash on a warm to hot cycle at 40-60 degrees to remove any bacteria, oils and smells. Avoid overcrowding the machine as this may reduce the effectiveness of the wash and prevent the detergent from being rinsed out completely.
It depends on how much laundry you are doing. “Small loads need about two tablespoons of liquid detergent, medium loads take three to four tablespoons and large loads require five tablespoons,” says Matt O'Connor, co-founder of NoScrubs.io, a laundry delivery service in Austin, Texas.
Hotels use a heavy-duty laundry detergent to wash their towels. These detergents usually come in powder formulations. They contain phosphates, which help dissolve stains and dirt better than liquid detergents. In some cases, hotels may use a fabric softener to give towels a fluffier feel and reduce static electricity.
Can't kick the stiff feeling even after washing? Complete an extra rinse or short wash cycle without detergent to help remove any lingering residue. Resist the urge to use fabric conditioner or dryer sheets. Softeners coat fibers, and can reduce towel absorbency over time.
Why are hotel towels so much better? The fabric of towels you'll see in hotels is of high-quality cotton with dense loops, offering more softness, absorbency, and durability.