What cycle should towels be washed on?

Author: Mr. David Larson  |  Last update: Saturday, May 10, 2025

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.

What is the best cycle to wash towels?

The bulky wash cycle is an ideal washing machine setting for large items such as blankets, comforters, towels, outerwear, small rugs, and pillows.

Do you wash new towels in hot or cold water?

Here's how to do it: Wash Before Use: Always wash new towels before their first use. This removes any chemicals or finishes from manufacturing. Use Hot Water: Wash them in hot water (if the care label allows). Hot water helps to remove excess lint and improves absorbency.

What setting should I wash towels on?

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.

What is the best washing machine mode for towels?

Washing towels needs a regular cotton or colors/darks cycle with a high spin speed. Fabric softener isn't always recommended as it can reduce towel absorbency - meaning that you towels may be fluffier but not necessarily cleaner.

What cycle do you wash towels?

Should you wash towels on heavy or normal?

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.

What spin should I wash towels on?

As far as temperature is concerned, it is recommended to wash your towels between 40° and 60°C, not more. So make sure you keep to the correct water temperature so that our tips work as they should – your laundry will thank you! For spinning, we recommend towel washing at 1200 rpm and not at too high a temperature.

How to get towels really clean?

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.

Why are my towels still wet after spin cycle?

Why are the clothes still wet? Well, this issue is either caused by the load not being able to spin fast enough or water not being able to drain, so it ends up back in the tub resoaking the clothes. If you are lucky, adjusting the washing load or changing detergents will solve the problem.

Can I wash sheets and towels together?

Don't Wash Your Sheets and Towels Together. Linens and towels should be washed separately for the following reasons: Material Weight: Different material thickness means sharing a wash cycle can cause damage! Different Material: Pilling can be prevented by washing with similar materials and textures.

How to keep bath towels soft and fluffy?

Moderate detergent use is key, as too much can lead to stiffness. Include white vinegar or baking soda during the rinse cycle for added softness, avoiding fabric softeners. Dry towels properly using a low tumble setting. Add wool balls or tennis balls to restore fluffiness.

What temperature should I wash towels at?

For household washing machines, the best temperature to wash towels at is at around 40 degrees. Washing at 40 degrees will ensure your towels stay feeling and looking their best for longer, whilst removing most of the germs that breed there.

How many towels should you put in the washer at once?

Don't Overfill the Washer

Too many towels washed at once won't get clean, but too few means greater agitation for quicker wear and tear. Most front-loading washing machines can fit seven standard-size bath towels; top-loading washers can fit around nine or ten.

What cycle is best for laundry?

The normal cycle is a bit more aggressive, so it's ideal for sturdy fabrics, like denim, bedding, towels, and most clothing. As the name implies, the heavy duty cycle should be reserved for heavily soiled items since it's longer and uses a high-speed spin.

Why do towels go hard after washing?

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.

What setting to wash towels in a washing machine?

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.

How do hotels keep their towels so clean?

They pre-soak their towels in vinegar or oxygen bleach. After soaking, they wash the towels with hot water and a regular detergent. They may also use a fabric conditioner to soften the towels. Similarly, if a towel smells musty, the cleaners at the hotel may use baking soda to deodorize it.

Does vinegar actually clean towels?

The acetic acid in vinegar breaks down these residues, making towels feel soft again, without buildup. ' Also, just as vinegar can be used to get rid of hard water stains, it will also dissolve any pesky mineral deposits on towels.

What cycle is best for smelly towels?

Step 1: Run One Cycle With Vinegar

Place the towels in the washing machine and run a cycle using white vinegar instead of detergent. Due to its acidic nature, vinegar helps remove mildew or bacteria that may have accumulated on the fabric. Most washing machines have a compartment for fabric softener.

What is the best wash cycle for new towels?

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.

What setting should you wash sheets and towels on?

For germ-free laundry, Nelson says to read the labels — you want to wash sheets and towels at the hottest water temperature they can handle. “Most towels (cotton) and cotton sheets can typically be washed in hot water and polyester sheets in warm water,” she says.

What spin cycle for towels?

A fast spin speed is perfect for towels or heavy fabrics like denim. The spin is measured in 'revolutions per min' or RPM.

How do you keep towels fluffy when washing?

For the best results when cleaning towels, avoid using fabric softener. Instead, use the white vinegar method to prevent any unwanted roughness. However, if you'd prefer to use a fabric softener in your wash instead of white vinegar, use a small amount and finish drying in a tumble dryer to fluff up the towels instead.

Do you wash sheets in hot or cold water?

Wash with the hottest water temperature setting listed on the care label. Polyester blends are best washed using warm water, while cotton can toleratehot water. Hotter water kills most germs and also takes care of dust mites that thrive in bedding. Wash at least once every other week.

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