Heavy Duty: Select this setting to wash towels and sturdy fabrics like jeans. It is also appropriate for heavily soiled items. The cycle offers a longer wash cycle with high-speed agitation and a high-speed spin to remove as much moisture as possible.
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.
For towels, kitchen towels and bedding, use a Cotton Quick cycle (60°C, 800 rpm, 1h35m). Delicates get a Hand Wash cycle with special detergent. Every now and then (quarterly or less), do a quick wash at 90°C with soda in the detergent compartment and vinegar as a rinse.
High spin speeds are ideal for cottons, bulky items such as towels and bedding and denim.
Towels and bathrobes should be washed frequently using a warm gentle wash cycle at 40 degrees. Be careful not to overload, and separate light colours from dark ones. To protect the terry fibres and for superior colour retention, use a gentle eucalyptus-based washing detergent. Avoid bleach and peroxide.
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.
Washers generally have a default spin speed that varies based on the type of fabric. For example, wool, lingeries or blouses require a slower spin speed (around 600-800 RPM), synthetic fabrics need around 800-1000 RPM, while a high-speed (900-1400 RPM) is recommended for cotton.
Wash kitchen towels on the HOT cycle of the washer and make sure they dry completely on a high setting.
The standard spin speed is 1200/1400 RPM, which accompanies the regular wash cycle, and will suit most washing loads. Permanent press is lower at 800/900 RPM, and delicates lower still at 400/500 RPM.
Select the Normal cycle for everyday laundry items made of cotton, linen, and durable synthetics, such as sheets, towels, T-shirts, socks, and (non-fancy) underwear. The normal cycle is the ideal casual wash cycle for your everyday, most-loved fabrics like cottons and polyester.
Wool will require a slower spin speed (around 600-800rpm), whereas synthetic will need 800-1000rpm and cotton around 900-1400rpm. Tempting though it can be to spin every load at the highest speed, a fast spin isn't always the best choice for the laundry you're washing.
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.
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.
Washing towels with white vinegar
Did you know that white vinegar can give a soft, clean finish to towels? White Vinegar is made up of properties that make it a great tool for cleaning many household items. Don't let the smell put you off, as using it in your wash will result in softer towels.
A fast spin speed is perfect for towels or heavy fabrics like denim. The spin is measured in 'revolutions per min' or RPM. This literally means the number of times the drum rotates in that time. If your spin cycle is noisy, check that it is balanced correctly and avoid overloading the machine.
Towels should be washed in the warmest water appropriate for the fabric according to the care label. Generally, warm or hot water is recommended for washing towels. Use a cycle specifically for towels or a normal/regular cycle.
The most suitable program depends on the fabric of your towels. Most towels are made of cotton, so use the cotton program* and set the wash temperature to at least 40 degrees: 60° is ideal for white towels. 40° is best for darker towels, to prevent them from fading.
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.
To wash your towels at the right temperature, first look at their fibre composition. If they are made of cotton, simply choose your washing machine's "cotton" programme, then set the temperature to 40°C. For white cotton towels, you can go up to 60°C.
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.
Sort Your Laundry: Separate your items by fabric type. Delicates should be washed on a low spin, while heavier items can handle higher speeds. Consider Soil Levels: For heavily soiled items, a higher spin can help remove more water, while lightly soiled clothes can typically do well with a medium or low spin.
However, if your washing machine doesn't come with an eco-friendly setting, then you would be better off washing your clothes on a standard setting, which will often mean having it on a spin speed of between 1200 rpm and 1600 rpm.