Washing towels once a week is important to always keep them fresh and disinfected. Towels that have been washed and dried thoroughly stay free of mold for longer, saving you money and time. The instructions in this article apply to both small and bath towels, with or without a washer and dryer.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Using a Washing Machine
Step 1. Wash used towels about once a week
Some manufacturers and home care experts recommend washing them every 3-4 days. If they are stored in a ventilated room, away from the steam, it is possible to keep them fresh by washing them approximately weekly.
If your towels smell different or you live in a humid climate where mold is growing, you should wash them every 2-3 days
Step 2. Wash towels separately from other clothes (optional)
Towels tend to absorb clothing colors and animal lint. They also trap smaller items, making washing less effective. While you can combine loads to save money, time or energy, remember that a separate towel load guarantees a better result.
If you've used them to clean a particularly dirty area, you should wash them separately so you don't expose your clothes to stains or germs
Step 3. Break down your laundry loads by color
White and light items will be stained by dark ones, as the latter fade over time. Towels are particularly absorbent, so if you want to keep their appearance intact you should always separate them into light or dark loads, especially if they are new.
Colored towels should only be washed with light-colored clothing if they are a soft pastel or pale yellow color, otherwise they should be placed in the dark load
Step 4. Wash new towels with special care before use
Before using them, they must be washed to remove the special softener used by the manufacturers to improve their appearance. In fact, this substance makes them less absorbent. Since new towels are particularly prone to discoloration, calculate half the usual amount of detergent you use and add 120-240ml of white vinegar to minimize future discoloration.
If you want to be extra careful, use the vinegar method the first 2-3 times you wash a towel
Step 5. Wash the towels with half the usual amount of detergent
An excess of soap can damage them and make them less soft. If your washing machine load contains only towels, use half the amount of detergent recommended by the manufacturer. If you have to wash high-value or very delicate towels, be sure to use a special detergent. Pour it into the appropriate compartment of the tub or, in the case of hand washing, into the container.
- When washing towels in a larger load or they are particularly dirty, use the usual amount of detergent.
- The instructions should be on the detergent packaging. Many liquid detergents have a cap that can be used to dose the product, with a line indicating the recommended amount to use for a classic load.
Step 6. Find out what is the optimal temperature for each type of towel
Most white and light colored towels should be washed in hot water. Most dark ones should be washed in warm water, as hot water may cause them to discolour. However, if your towels are linen, have a patterned edge or are made from delicate fibers, a cold wash is preferable.
If your delicate towels get heavily soiled, it is best to wash them at a warm, not cold temperature. The warmer the water, the cleaner and more disinfected they will be
Step 7. Use fabric softener sparingly, or avoid it altogether
It is an optional product to add to the wash load. Generally it must be poured into a specific compartment of the compartment, different from that of the detergent. While it makes clothes supple and soft, it decreases the absorbency of towels. Use it only if you are willing to sacrifice the towel's life cycle in exchange for added softness. Also, only do this every 3-4 washes.
If you can't find the softener compartment, read your washing machine manual
Step 8. Sanitize towels every 3-4 washes with non-chlorine bleach or white vinegar
Pour 120ml of white vinegar into the detergent every 3-4 loads to keep towels free of odor and mold. For more effective sanitation, you can use 180ml chlorine-free bleach instead, making sure you choose the one that's safe for colored items - if the towels are dark.
- Bleach should be poured into the bleach compartment. If your washing machine doesn't have it, mix it with 1 liter of water and pour it into the detergent compartment 5 minutes after the cycle starts.
- When using vinegar to disinfect, you can also add it during the final rinse (it would be preferable). Pour it into the fabric softener compartment, or, if you have a top-loading washer and can open it, pour it directly onto the towels towards the end of the wash.
Step 9. Lightly beat the towels between washing and drying
When you take them out of the washing machine, beat them gently to keep the surface fibers soft and absorbent. Read the section dedicated to drying to find out how to deal with it.
Part 2 of 3: Dry the Towels after Wash or Use
Step 1. Hang the towels after each use to dry
Even if you only used one lightly, you should hang it in a dry area that is well ventilated and away from steam. Open the towel well, so it doesn't pile up on itself, and let every single part of it dry evenly. Effective drying after use reduces the likelihood of mold growth and increases the life cycle of the towel.
Do not hang one towel over another if one of them is still damp. Each towel needs to be fully exposed to the air for proper drying
Step 2. Put the towels to dry immediately after washing
The longer you leave them wet, the more likely they are to mold. After washing them, put them to dry immediately to keep them clean. Note that a towel hanging outdoors can take several hours to dry in humid or cold weather conditions, the important thing is to place it in a well-ventilated area.
Step 3. If you use the dryer, set it according to the fabric of the towel
Most of it is made of cotton and should be left to dry at a high temperature. Linen towels or towels with delicate decorative edges should dry on a cold temperature.
- Before turning on the dryer, always remove lint from the filter. A buildup could cause a fire.
- When using the tumble dryer, you shouldn't separate towels by color. You could combine them with other items, but it is possible for a towel to trap a piece of clothing and prevent it from drying out.
Step 4. Do not leave the towels in the dryer longer than necessary
Leaving them inside after they dry will damage the fibers and weaken them. Before the program ends, check small loads by simply opening the door. If the towels are already dry, cancel the drying cycle and remove them.
If they are slightly damp at the end of the drying program, it may be more convenient to hang them as described above, instead of switching the dryer back on. If you do another drying cycle, check them halfway through the program to see if they are dry
Step 5. Use wipes impregnated with dryer fabric softener sparingly
Their purpose is to make clothes fluffier. As with classic fabric softener, these wipes create a waxy finish on the towels, which interferes with their absorbency. If you still want to use them for softer, fluffier towels, just do it every 3-4 loads.
Step 6. Hang the towels in an airy, warm place
If you don't have a dryer, or your towels come out a little damp, you can hang them on a clothesline, string, or a clean surface that's spacious enough. If you are used to the dryer, you should know that towels dried this way will appear stiffer at first, but will immediately soften when they come in contact with water.
- The airflow will help dry towels faster. Choose a ventilated spot outside or near an open window, but be sure to secure them well with clothespins.
- Direct sunlight is preferable for drying towels and reducing germs.
- If you can't expose them to direct sunlight, place towels in front of a radiator (but not on top of it). You could also place them on a grid of the heating system.
Step 7. Use the iron only on linen towels
Do not iron those that are cotton or otherwise soft. Small linen towels could be ironed if you would like a smooth and precise result. After ironing, you can fold them and store them like any other towel.
Step 8. Only store towels when they are completely dry
When you touch a dry one, there should be no wet parts. If so, hang it up for another hour or so. Once ready, fold it several times until you can store it on a shelf without it balling up or creasing.
You could use the towels in rotation to avoid wearing them out right away. Alternatively, keep the best ones for guests and use the others every day
Part 3 of 3: Wash the Hand Towels
Step 1. Discover the benefits and low cost of hand washing
This method saves you money, requires less energy use, and doesn't wear out towels as fast as a washing machine. However, while small towels are relatively easy to wash in a sink or bucket, large ones get quite heavy when they absorb water, so a lot of work and time is required to wash.
For larger towels, the equipment mentioned below is recommended, especially the agitator. However, you will also find instructions for doing laundry with your hands only
Step 2. Spread the towels in a clean sink, bathtub, or bucket
Depending on the size of the load, you must use one of these containers. First, make sure the container is clean by wiping it with a good amount of soap and warm water. When storing towels, make sure they are all open, not knotted or piled up.
The kitchen sink or bathtub that is used often may require stronger cleaning methods. Let the bleach or other products do their work, then rinse thoroughly before using the bowl to do the laundry
Step 3. Fill the container with water and a few drops of detergent
You can use cold or lukewarm water, it doesn't need to be boiling. Add a few drops of mild detergent. A classic 20 l bucket requires approximately 15 ml of detergent, while a bathtub requires 60 ml. Use common sense and add more detergent if the towels are particularly dirty.
- Use an environmentally friendly detergent if you are going to throw the water outside.
- If you are not going to wear gloves, always use a mild detergent to protect your hands. Try using it every time you wash towels, as they tend to be easily damaged by harsh detergents.
Step 4. Add borax for a more effective hand wash
Softens the water and makes the detergent work easier. It is safe and easy to add to the wash, although it should be kept out of the reach of pets and children.
Try adding 15g of borax to 4L of water. You can increase the amount if you're having trouble getting rid of stains, but it's wise to start with a small dose so it doesn't stain or damage delicate items
Step 5. Leave the towels to soak according to the dirt and size of the load
A large or particularly dirty load of towels should be left to soak for 40-60 minutes, while a load of lightly used towels that easily fit into a bucket should be ready in minutes. Soaking will save you a lot of effort because it will remove some of the dirt.
Step 6. Press and vigorously move the garments
Heavy towels are difficult to shake with your hands, so it is easier to use a hand-held mixer in this case. You can buy it or do it yourself by buying a new plunger and piercing the gum for water to pass through. Using the shaker, squeeze the towels and push them towards the sides of the bowl for about 2 minutes (approximately 100 strokes of the shaker).
If you wash towels by hand, you may be able to manually mimic this movement. Wearing rubber gloves, squeeze the towels together and against the wall of the bowl. Large cotton towels are difficult to wash this way, and if you don't have a shaker you should figure that you will spend a lot more time on a full wash than indicated in this step
Step 7. Wring out the towels
If you have a clothes wringer, you can slip in one towel at a time and wring it out by turning the knob with as much pressure as possible. Otherwise, squeeze each towel by hand in both directions, trying to get rid of as much water as possible.
If you want to keep your hands clean, use rubber gloves
Step 8. Rinse the towels with cold water and let them soak for 5 minutes
You can move them to a new bucket of cold water or empty the container and refill it with cold water. Rinse the towels under tap water while you fill the bucket. Let it soak for 5 minutes before continuing.
Step 9. Shake the towels the same way as before
Again, take about 2 minutes - or 100 strokes of the agitator - to press the towels against the walls and base of the container, and spin them around inside. The water should get less dirty this time and have less foam.
Step 10. Rinse, squeeze, soak and shake the towels repeatedly until they are clean
Repeat the process just like you did the first time. Rinse the towels under cold tap water. Squeeze them by twisting and squeezing them with your hands or a clothes wringer. Soak them in a bucket full of cold water for 5 minutes. Shake them for another 2 minutes or so. Another round should be enough for most towels, but heavy or heavily soiled ones may take several repetitions.
When the towels are ready, the water should be free of dirt and foam. Soap residue can make towels stiff, stiff and poorly absorbent
Step 11. Wring out the towels as thoroughly as possible
When they are clean and completely free of foam, wring them out with a clothes wringer or using your hands. Do this several times to remove as much water as possible.
Step 12. Hang the towels to dry
Read the drying section to learn more about how to dry them in the open air, skip the steps regarding the dryer. If you need to dry them quickly, you can of course follow the directions for using the dryer.
Advice
- Always read the towel label - some have specific instructions for embellishments, color and other specific characteristics regarding the brand or type of towel.
- If the bleach has left white or light stains on the towels, wash them with about 250 ml of vinegar in 4 liters of water, poured directly into the washing machine. You may need to read your appliance manual to find out how much water it uses.
- If you wash your towels in a bucket, you can put it in the bathtub to empty and refill it easily, without risking getting the floor wet.
Warnings
- Do not add borax and vinegar to the laundry at the same time, as this creates a chemical reaction that makes their properties less effective. As described in the article, vinegar is recommended for washing machines and borax for hand washing. However, if you find that you prefer the result of a method, you can use it regardless of the type of washing.
- Do not use chlorine bleach, especially if the water in your city is hard or full of minerals. It can leave pink stains and wear down the towel quickly.
