Are these common laundry mistakes shortening the lifespan of your towels?
Fortunately, with proper care, you might help your towels feel fluffy and absorbent for longer.
Learn how long your towels can last, and what bad behaviors may be too tough on your towels.
Photo:Emilija Manevska/Getty Images
How Long Do Towels Last?
Any excess detergent won’t be rinsed away in the wash cycle.
Instead, your towel’s fibers will be coated in it.
“Recommended detergent amounts are based on the size of the load, not the composition of the load.
There is no need to use more detergent for dirtier item.”
“There’s no need to bleach towels,” Kozen says.
“Consistent use of chlorine bleach weakens cotton and will reduce wear life.
Soaking in oxygen bleach would reduce built up dinginess.”
Bath towels can be washed every three or four uses.
“It is important that towels dry fully to prevent mildew while stored,” Kozen says.
And that kind of defeats the whole purpose of towels!
