Keep your bathroom linen soft and smelling great with these expert tips for washing and drying.
It can also save you money on constantlyreplacing them.
That’s why we talked to a laundry expert for tips on doing laundry.
Here are the best ways to keep your towels soft and smelling fresh.
Tips Before Washing Towels
Before washing, always separate your towels into whites and colors.
Washing them together will lead to subtle discoloration over time.
Bleach is excellent forremoving stainsfrom white towels, but frequent use will break down fibers and shorten their lifespan.
Also, always wash new towels before using them for the first time.
This extra step can also help reduce lint and any musty smells.
Just remember to use it sparingly and skip washes between fabric softener use to prevent buildup.
Only add it to every third or fourth wash. For a natural alternative to fabric softener, you might use 14 cup of white vinegar instead.
If you use vinegar, skip the bleach.
Combining the two cancause harmful fumes.
Clean tennis balls (instead of wool balls) work, too, but skip the essential oils.
How Often to Wash Towels
Towels should be washed frequently.
Some towels should be washed even more frequently.
For example, hand towels should be replaced every two days, andbeach towelsshould be washed after every use.
“If your towels look clean but still smell bad, it means they’re not truly clean.”
If washed together, towels will spread lint and other fibers onto clothes and fabric.
Additionally, towels are typically washed on a heavier cycle, using hot water and no fabric softener.
Detergent residue and buildup of body oils can cause towels to lose their fluffy texture.
Over time, this buildup in the towel fabric can cause them to feel stiff and rough.
To help bring back the softness, try adding baking soda to your wash cycle or brushing the towel.
Brushing the fabric can help separate the threads and remove dried-on detergent.
These things will thrive in a dark, steamy bathroom, making your towels particularly vulnerable to bacteria buildup.
Farrell, M. How Often You Should Wash Your Sheets, Towels, and Clothes.Consumer Reports.
