How to wash towels to keep them soft?

Do your towels look more like sandpaper than a fluffy cloud after being taken out of the washing machine? If so, don't worry - this is a fairly common problem that many people struggle with. However, there are many ways to restore them to their former glory. We've put together some tried-and-true tips to help you learn how to wash your towels so they're as soft and absorbent as before. Read on and find out that proper care really does make a difference!

Why are your towels rough?

The causes can be many. Improper care is most often behind rough towels. Many people don't realize that excess detergent or frequent use of softener can leave deposits on the fibers that make towels rough and less pleasant to the touch.

Also, high washing temperature or improper drying method can damage the delicate fibers in towels. To avoid all these situations, you should pay attention to some important details when washing. Test the towel care methods we have prepared and keep your towels looking beautiful.

How to wash towels properly? Start with the right detergents

Choosing the right detergent is crucial when it comes to cleaning and caring for towels. To achieve the best results, it is worth knowing what to pay special attention to. Exactly what?

Type of laundry detergent

The best choice is detergents designed for cotton fabrics. Cotton, from which towels are most often made, requires delicate treatment. Detergents designed for cotton not only effectively remove stains, but also take care to preserve the softness of the fibers. However, these are not popular laundry detergents, so as an alternative we suggest washing liquids for children's clothes. They are much gentler than most laundry detergents and take better care of the fabrics. If you have the option, choose a liquid for the color of your towels to make sure they won't fade.

What detergents to avoid when washing towels?

Try not to use washing powder - it is difficult to rinse it out of the fibers, making the towel rough. Also, don't use bleach or fabric softener. The latter is particularly problematic because it reduces the absorbency of the material, and this makes it necessary to wash them more often. If you want to further freshen and soften your towels, add some white vinegar to the drawer, which acts as a natural softener and at the same time helps remove detergent residue.

Amount of detergent vs washing towels

It might seem that more laundry detergent will give better results, but in fact the opposite is true. Excess detergent can leave residue on the towels, making them rough. Therefore, always follow the manufacturer's dosage recommendations. Here the old rule that less is more applies.

Proper wash temperature is key to soft towels

If you want your towels to be soft and fluffy, temperature plays a key role. Why? Washing temperatures that are too low can cause towels to not be thoroughly cleaned of bacteria, soap residue and other accumulated dirt. Then they start to smell bad and lose their softness. In turn, frequent washing at too high temperatures can damage the delicate fibers, and such damage is irreversible. Towels begin to fray, become hard and fade more easily.

So at what temperature should towels be washed? The recommended temperature for cotton towels is 40-60°C. This is the optimal value, which allows you to effectively remove dirt, while taking care of the softness of the material. Towels made of more delicate materials, such as bamboo or microfiber, it is worth washing at a lower temperature, not exceeding 40°C, to ensure their longer life and maintain their softness. If your washing machine, has a special mode for towels, it is worth using it.

Are you wondering which towels to choose? If so, we recommend you our article: Bamboo or cotton towels - which one to choose?, from which you will learn what are the advantages of each type of towel.

Remember!

Once in a while, even the most delicate towels are worth washing at a slightly higher temperature to sanitize them well. You can add a little vinegar to this special wash, and it will be a real towel spa.

How to dry towels to make them soft and fluffy?

Most people focus only on washing their towels properly, yet they still need to be dried properly. How they dry is as important to their softness as the washing process itself.

Drying towels outdoors is one of the best ways. However, be careful not to expose them directly to sunlight. Why? UV rays falling directly on the material can weaken it, and further accelerate color fading. In the shade, on the other hand, the towel will retain its softness and appearance, although it may take a little longer to dry. However, this is not too high a price to pay when you consider the benefits obtained.

What about automatic dryers?

According to many, they have as many advantages as disadvantages. Drying in the dryer will certainly make your towels soft and fluffy, but it destroys the fibers very badly, as you will find out by checking the filter in the dryer. In practice, this means that you will enjoy fluffy towels, but for a shorter time, as they will need to be replaced with new ones sooner.

If you choose to use the device, be sure to set it to a gentle cycle with a low temperature. You can also throw a few tennis balls or special laundry balls into the dryer drum. They will help break up the stuck together fibers, making your towels even fluffier.

Now you know how to wash towels to make them soft!

If you implement our tips, your towels will serve you much longer and keep their freshness and softness for many years. Remember, however, that even the best care methods will do nothing if the towels are of poor quality.

If you are looking for decent and carefully made towels, we invite you to take a look at the offer of our store Familyrollo. There you will find a wide selection of towels in all designs, colors and sizes. And on our blog you will find interesting tutorials waiting for you, so that taking care of home textiles will not cause you any more trouble.