The Heavy Duty washing machine cycle uses hot water and high spin speed for thick, heavily-soiled fabrics, like towels and jeans.
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.
Generally speaking, cold wash cycles are best for delicates, colored, and normally soiled clothing; warm water is best for more soiled clothing and whites; and hot water is best for very soiled clothing or for loads, like underwear and towels, where you want to remove germs and allergens.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When it comes to washing bed sheets, the spin speed is an important factor to consider. Generally, the ideal spin speed range is 1000-1200rpm; however, if you have silk sheets, a lower speed, such as 800rpm, should be used.
The delicate wash cycle uses high levels of cold water and a low spin speed for carefully tending to undergarments and delicate fabrics that need to be handled with care, like lace, lingerie, or silk neckties. Specialty items like electric blankets or stuffed animals may also benefit from a delicate wash.
Generally speaking, towels can be washed on a regular washing cycle. Most towels are made from cotton, so if your machine has a cotton option, this will help keep your towels soft and looking their best. For a deeper clean, you can choose the sanitise or heavy-duty option, if your washer has this.
While a high spin speed is idea for more robust fabrics, such as denim, cotton, and wool, using a high speed on delicate fabrics, such as silk, can lead to damage. Equally, using a high spin speed can increase how creased your garments are after a wash.
With high agitation and a lengthy cycle, the Normal cycle is typically the most intense washing machine cycle. 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.
As a rule, lower spin settings are perfect for delicate fabrics and prevent parts of garments such as sleeves getting tangled. A fast spin speed is perfect for towels or heavy fabrics like denim.
What Temperature Should Towels Be Washed At? - White and lighter colored towels wash well with the hot water setting. Hot water helps to brighten white and light-colored towels for better cleaning. Dark colored towels should be washed with the warm water setting.
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.
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.
The washing machine will have a default spin speed for the type of clothes (and the program you have chosen). Wool will require a slower spin speed (around 600-800rpm), whereas synthetic will need 800-1000rpm and cotton around 900-1400rpm.