What setting to wash towels in a washing machine?

Author: Mr. Arthur Bernhard III  |  Last update: Friday, June 27, 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 setting on washing machine for towels?

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.

Which mode is best for towels in a washing machine?

The best setting to wash towels on is typically the ``hot'' water setting with a heavy-duty or regular cycle, using a good quality detergent.

Do you wash towels on normal or delicate?

Select a gentle or delicate wash cycle to prevent friction and maintain towel quality. Use cold water to conserve energy and preserve colors. If weather permits, hang your towels on a clothesline or drying rack outdoors. Make sure they're adequately spaced for proper airflow.

What is the best setting to wash towels and sheets?

It is typically advised to use your washing machine's mild or delicate cycle when washing bed sheets. This setting aids in avoiding overly strong agitation, which might damage the cloth. To avoid shrinking or harming the sheets, it's also suggested to use cold or lukewarm water rather than hot water.

How to wash new towels // Laundry hacks

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.

Do you wash new towels in hot or cold water?

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 is the best wash setting for new towels?

Step 1: Wash your new towel or towel set in warm to hot water -- not scalding -- on a regular wash cycle with one cup of white distilled vinegar. DO NOT USE DETERGENT, only white vinegar. Step 2: Run the load a second time using only a half-cup of baking soda. AGAIN, DO NOT USE DETERGENT, only baking soda.

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.

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.

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.

How to keep towels soft and fluffy?

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.

What setting should I put my washing machine on?

Select the temperature based on the contents of the load: for whites, select hot water; for colors, select cool or warm. Keep in mind that cotton and synthetic towels of any color will get the cleanest when washed in warm to hot water.

Is easy care the same as delicate?

Practical clothes such as sportswear or outdoor clothing and various synthetic materials such as viscose often need to also be washed on a delicates wash program. These types of materials are often referred to as "easy care laundry".

What wash setting for towels?

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 wash cycle for all clothes?

Generally, cold wash cycles are fine for all clothes including delicates and colored clothing. Warm water should be used for clothes that are more soiled and for whites, and hot water for very soiled clothing or items that need to be kept clean, like underwear and towels.

What are the 3 wash cycles?

All cycles have a washing stage, then a rest period, a rinse, and finally a spin to remove the water (though sometimes more than one rinse and spin cycle to get clothes extra clean). Most machines have a regular cycle (or normal or cotton), a permanent press cycle (or colours) and a delicate cycle.

Should I wash towels on a bulky setting?

This setting will use extra water as well to make sure the items are soaked through and well balanced during the wash cycle. Bulky is a good setting if you decide to wash a full load of towels as well.

How do hotels keep towels soft?

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.

What is the best setting to wash kitchen towels?

The Role of Hot Water in Sanitizing Tea Towels

It is advised to consistently opt for a hot wash cycle when laundering these essential kitchen items as part of regular hygiene maintenance.

What is the best way to wash towels for the first time?

Wash New Towels First

For the first wash, add half a cup of white vinegar to the wash water, along with about half the recommended amount of laundry detergent. Washing towels with vinegar will help set the colors and remove any residue on the towels.

Where to put vinegar in a washing machine?

Using vinegar in laundry is simple. You can add it to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or pour it in during the final rinse cycle. When adding vinegar towards the end of the cycle, manually pause your machine right before the final rinse cycle and add a 1/2 cup of diluted white vinegar to the load.

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.

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