How to care for your towels

By putting enough energy and time to selection process you can have the best towel for you. Now you can make your towels last longer by taking proper care of them. 

1. Always wash them before first use

In order to increase absorbency capacity and fluffiness of the towel, it should be washed before first use. Wash them in washing machine with gentle cycle in cold or warm water, ideally in a small load of towels, separated from other clothes or linens.

2. Do not use any disinfectant or whitening agent

To prevent discoloration and staining, do not use any product containing benzoyl peroxide or alpha hydroxyl acids like bleach, household cleaners, or personal care products like shampoo, toothpaste etc.

3. Not much detergent to use

Do not use any detergent more than your detergent manufacturer's recommended amount to protect the fibers and to not affect the quality of the towel. Excess detergent can make your towel stiff and rough.

4. Skip fabric softener

Even though it may sound contradictory, fabric softeners may build up chemicals on the surface of your towel, severely reducing the absorbency and softness of your towel

5. Drying and storing

You can whether airdry by hanging them on hooks or racks, or you can just use drier machine as well. If you airdry it, shake well before hanging them to separate fibers and make it fluffy again.

Remember to store them when they are completely dry to prevent moisture from making them smell bad or from rotting the fibers. 

6. Refresh your old towels with vinegar 

The towels that you love can lose their absorbency after a while due to chemical build up and hard water embedded in their threads. In order to save your refresh your towels, occasionally add 1 cup of white vinegar to your washing cycle. This will restore the absorbency and help the fibers fluff up and feel softer against your skin.

7. Eliminate musty odors with baking soda

Even if you take good care of your towel and dry well before storing them, they can have musty smell. By adding 1/2 cup of baking soda with your detergent in a wash cycle, you can easily eliminate unwanted musty smell from your towels. 

8. Replace your towels regularly

Despite your best care, towels will lose fiber and absorbency with repeated use. So, if it has been more than 2-3 years of regular wear and tear, it is time to replace them.