What can be done to keep towels dust-free?

I'm sure you're familiar with the situation - you buy new towels, they're soft, fluffy and have beautiful colours. Everything is perfect until the first wash, when you suddenly find that they start to dust, leaving unwanted fibres everywhere - on your skin, your clothes and all over your bathroom. Fortunately, there are proven ways to prevent this nuisance. In this article, you'll find lots of practical tips to help you learn what to do to keep your towels dust-free.

Why do new towels dust?

This is a natural phenomenon that is linked to several factors. First of all, in the process of manufacturing a towel, it is woven in a specific way, which leads to the occurrence of loose fibre ends on its surface. This problem is particularly acute in products with very short threads, which slip out of the fabric much more easily than their longer counterparts. During the first washing cycles, the excess of these free fibres will gradually release.

Another factor is the chemical treatment used during production. The chemicals used to dye and soften the fabric can weaken the fibres, making them more prone to fall out. This is the price we have to pay for the aesthetic appearance and fluffiness of the fabrics. Understanding all these processes is the key to effective care and prolonging the life of your towels.

The first time you wash your towels makes a huge difference!

In order for your towels to serve you well, you need to take good care of them from the first wash and before the first use. This is one of the most important rules. Why? New towels are usually soaked with excess chemicals used in the manufacturing process. Dust and other soiling accumulated during transport and storage in the shop also add to this.

For a towel to be fully absorbent, it must first be thoroughly cleaned of this excess. And if it's topped up with soap residue and dead skin, there's little chance that it can be effectively cleaned. As you can see, pre-washing is not only a hygiene issue, but above all a chance to remove loose fibres and reduce future dusting. How do you go about it?

Start your first towel wash by soaking them in warm, but not hot, water with a mild laundry detergent. It's also a good idea to add a glass of (white) vinegar to this wash, which acts as a natural softener and helps to stabilise the colours while also increasing the towels' durability. Keep this first step in mind and your towels will repay you with durability and no dusting for years to come!

How do you wash towels so they don't dust?

After the initial soaking comes the time to wash the towels properly. You may find that several cycles are needed for the dusting to stop completely, although sometimes after just one time the problem is no longer there. But how do you wash your towels to keep them soft and dust-free?

Proper segregation of towels

Ensure that you always wash your bathroom textiles separately. Combining them with other textiles is less hygienic and can make it difficult to choose the right detergent or temperature. During the first washings, it is also important not to mix extremely different colours of towels together. You can never be sure that a darker fabric will not start to dye.

Avoiding fabric softeners

Although it may sound unintuitive, fabric softeners should be avoided when washing towels. These detergents can coat the fibres with a thin layer of detergent, which reduces their absorbency and contributes to weakening the fabric structure, which promotes towel dusting. Instead, use a natural detergent such as white vinegar, which not only won't damage the fibres, but also prevents odour, cleans effectively and helps keep the fabric supple.

Proper drying of towels

Drying towels properly is key to preventing dusting. To begin with, shake the towel out decently after washing to do the fabric and release lingering fibres. Outdoor drying is by far the safest method. Just remember not to expose them directly to the sun. This will prevent the UV rays from weakening the fabric and ruining the colours.

Drying towels in an automatic dryer, although very convenient, also has its disadvantages. At first, it can help with the dusting problem, as all the dusting will collect in a special strainer and will not spill all over the flat. On the other hand, frequent use of the dryer leads to weakening of the fabric and... loss of fibres. However, if you choose a dryer, set a gentle cycle with a low temperature and throw tennis balls or special balls into the drum to fluff up the fabric.

At what temperature should towels be washed?

When it comes to washing towels, it is always best to follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the label. However, there are some general rules of thumb which say that coloured towels should be washed between 40°C and 60°C. It is equally important to set the speed to the lowest setting or use a special programme for towels if your washing machine has one.

If you have white towels, even very high temperatures (90°C), which are almost lethal for other colours, will not harm them. By boiling your towels, you can thoroughly clean them of all bacteria and impurities. Once in a while, it is also worth washing other colours of towels at a slightly higher temperature to decontaminate them well, but be careful not to overdo it.

What can be done to keep towels dust-free? Summary

As you can see, towel dusting is a common problem that can easily be dealt with. All you need to do is follow a few simple rules. If you are looking for top quality towels that will last for years, take a look at our website Familyrollo.co.uk - you will find a wide range of products that will meet your expectations. Don't forget to also read our article: Bamboo or cotton towels - which one to choose?