Towel Cleaning Guide

The towels are essential for our daily care and hygiene. Proper washing and care of your towels is important to maintain their quality and softness. By following the cleaning and care guide below, you can keep your towels fresh and absorbent for a long time.

Instructions for Washing and Drying Towels

1. Pre-treatment/Preparation:

Before starting the washing process, carefully read the washing instructions provided on the towel label. Every fabric has different requirements, and the instructions must be followed to avoid damaging the towel. Additionally, before putting your towels in the washing machine, it is a good idea to shake them to open up their fibers and allow for a deep clean. 

2. Stain Treatment:

Stains should be treated immediately once they occur and always before putting your towel in the washing machine. The faster you treat the stains, the easier they will be to remove. Choose oxygen-based cleaners rather than chlorine bleach, as chlorine is likely to damage the fibers and fade the towel's color. 

3. Sorting and Colors:

Sort the towels according to their color and fabric. Wash white towels separately from colored ones to prevent color bleeding. Also, it is best to only place towels in the washing machine and not combine them with clothes, both for hygiene reasons, as microbes might transfer, and for fabric reasons, as lint from the towels might transfer to the clothes.

4. Selecting the Washing Program:

Choose a washing program for delicate fabrics or, even better, for towels if this function is available on your washing machine. A program with a water temperature of around $40^\circ\text{C}$ is usually the ideal choice, while occasionally it can reach $60^\circ\text{C}$, but frequent washing at this temperature will destroy the quality of the weave. White towels are more resistant to high temperatures, while colored ones should preferably be washed at $40^\circ\text{C}$. If your towel has any lace or linen trim, prefer washing in cold water, around $30^\circ\text{C}$.

5. Gentle Detergent:

Use a small amount of gentle liquid detergent suitable for delicate fabrics. Excessive detergent can destroy the absorbency of the towels. Usually, half the amount of detergent you typically use is ideal. 

6. Do Not Overload the Drum:

Do not exceed the maximum load recommended by the washing machine. An excessive number of towels can reduce the effectiveness of washing and rinsing and wear out the towels, making them stiff.

7. Use of Bleach and Fabric Softener:

If the white towels have yellowed or have stains, you can add a small amount of laundry detergent or bleach to the wash, but carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions for its use. Regarding fabric softener, you might think it makes towels softer, but the truth is that excessive use destroys the towels, making them rough and non-absorbent. Therefore, you should use a small amount of softener, and not every time, but every 3-4 washes. Make sure the softener you choose is not silicone-based, as silicone repels water, resulting in towels that do not absorb water satisfactorily. If you wish, you can avoid using it entirely. 

8. Tumble Dryer or Natural Air:

Dry your towels immediately. Allow them to dry naturally in the air, but for an even more ideal result, the dryer can work complementarily at the end of drying. You can put the towels in a gentle dryer program for a few minutes, which will make them softer. If you must use a dryer exclusively, choose a medium to warm temperature. If they have lace or linen details, select a low temperature. Make sure the towels are completely dry before storing them, as moisture retention encourages the growth of microbes and mold. If you hang the towels on the line, they are likely to become hard and stiff if you allow them to dry completely. 

9. Ironing (If Required):

If your towels require ironing and the manufacturer's instructions allow it, set the iron to a low temperature and iron them gently. However, it is best to avoid ironing towels, as it destroys the pile and their absorbency. 

How do I wash my towel for the first time?

Washing your towel before the first use is important to remove any chemical and softener residues from the fabric and prepare the towel for use. Also, washing immediately after purchase opens up the towel's fibers, making it more absorbent. The reason they are not absorbent before washing is that manufacturers use softeners that make them softer to the touch, to entice the buyer to purchase them.

Place them in the washing machine at 60 degrees, always following the manufacturer's instructions. In the rinse cycle, add half a cup of white vinegar and do not use fabric softener. Tumble drying is recommended for drying after the first wash. To save energy, you can hang it to dry to some extent and then place it in the dryer. 

Tips for proper towel care!

Soaking for fluffy towels

To make your towels fluffier, you can soak them for a day in a basin with cold water and then put them in the washing machine with half the usual dose of detergent and half a cup of white vinegar. 

Vinegar and baking soda for cleaning

These two ingredients are known to have disinfectant properties. Especially when combined, they can work wonders! Add the towels to the washing machine and let it fill with hot water. Add the mixture ($250 \text{ ml}$ vinegar and $125 \text{ ml}$ baking soda) and start the wash cycle. Rinse with hot water as well. The fabric will soften, odors will be a thing of the past, and microbes will be neutralized. You can also use vinegar in the rinse to remove detergent residues. 

Hydrogen peroxide for bleaching

For bleaching white towels, you can use hydrogen peroxide. It is a bleach that does not contain chlorine and cleans towels perfectly. Add half a cup along with the detergent and after soaking for about half an hour, start the regular wash cycle. 

Lemon for scent

To make your towels smell nice, you can soak them with lemon juice. After squeezing 4-5 lemons, boil them in a pot with one liter of water. Soak your towels in the mixture and then wash them normally in the washing machine with minimal detergent added. 

Drying after every use

Make sure to dry your towels after every use to prevent the growth of microbes and mold. Dry them either in clean air, on a special radiator-hanger, or in the dryer. 

Washing every 2-3 uses

It is important to wash towels every 2-3 uses, with this number varying depending on the way they are used. More frequent washing can wear out the towels, while less frequent washing can lead to the growth of microbes. 

What do the icons on the care instructions symbolize?

Most textiles have instructions on how to wash, iron, and dry the products. Generally, you should know that the basin symbolizes washing with water, the circle symbolizes dry cleaning, the triangle symbolizes bleaching, and the iron symbolizes ironing. Some of the most common washing symbols are the following:

To choose the perfect towel for you, consult the corresponding towel buying guide from designdrops and visit our category linens to find towels and many other quality products!