If it's too full, there won't be enough space for the cycle to fully clean the clothes and if it's under filled, the linen may break down faster meaning you'll have to buy new towels sooner rather than later. For household washing machines, the best temperature to wash towels at is at around 40 degrees.
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.
Since most towels are made from cotton, including the ones at Towel Super Center, we suggest setting the wash temperature to at least 40 degrees on the White/Colors cycle. Wash towels separately from the rest of your laundry and check to ensure there are no specific washing instructions on the towel labels.
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.
Always wash dish cloths and kitchen towels on hot and on a regular/heavy duty cycle. These are items that must be laundered on hot. You've used them to wipe up milk or wash dirty dishes and they need to be washed on hot water to best activate the detergent you are using.
To help get odor out of towels, it's best to wash them separately and using hot water. Towels are thick and have many fibers to absorb water, dirt and residue in their everyday use. Hot water penetrates the fibers best and helps your detergent do its job.
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.
The bulky wash cycle is an ideal washing machine setting for large items such as blankets, comforters, towels, outerwear, small rugs, and pillows.
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.
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.
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.
60°C is the perfect temperature for killing bacteria, viruses and removing stains. This wash setting is also highly recommended for washing towels and bedding, but obviously this setting is going to increase running costs as the higher the temperature the higher the cost.
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.
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.
Ever wondered how hotels manage to keep towels soft and irresistibly fluffy? The secret lies beyond just using high-quality fabric. Hotels employ a combination of specialized laundering techniques, carefully selected detergents, and advanced drying methods to ensure their towels maintain that plush, luxurious feel.
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.
As a general rule, it is recommended to replace your bath towels every two to three years, with five years the maximum. Over time, frequent laundering and normal wear and tear can cause towels to lose their absorbency and become less soft.
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.
For the best clean, wash sheets in the hottest water on the heavy-duty cycle. While warm or hot water may be suitable for light-colored cotton linens and during cold and flu season, you should always follow the care instructions that come with your sheets.
"Bath towels and hand towels should be laundered after every three uses," says Dr. Maender. "This helps remove the contaminants that can cause infections and reduce odor-causing bacteria." No one likes a funky-smelling towel, but potentially harmful microbes represent the important health concern.
Men are more likely to wait longer between sheet changes than women (29.6 days vs. 19.4 days). On average, single people go 37 days before changing their sheets, while those in relationships go 21.8 days, and married couples go 19.9 days.
Special fabrics like silk, organic cotton, and microfiber are your best bet against dust mites, while still remaining breathable enough to keep you cool while you sleep.
"Regular washing, or about once every one to two weeks, is recommended to maintain cleanliness and a healthy sleep environment," says Harris. Once a week if you don't use a top sheet. Once a month if you do.