How to Wash Towels to Keep Them Soft
To keep towels soft, use liquid detergent instead of washing powder, avoid using fabric softener too often, and occasionally add white vinegar during the rinse cycle.
Basic Washing Rules
Temperature: wash towels at 40–60°C, following the instructions on the care label. Water that is too hot can damage the fibres, while cold water may not remove dirt effectively.
Detergent: use liquid detergent or laundry capsules. Washing powder may not rinse out completely from the fibres and can make towels feel rough over time.
Fabric softener: use regular fabric softener only occasionally. It coats the fibres with a thin layer, reducing the towels’ absorbency.
Spin speed: select a spin speed of 800–1,000 rpm. Excessively high spin speeds can damage the soft loops of the fabric.
Machine load: do not overload the washing machine. Towels need enough space to move freely, wash thoroughly, and rinse properly.
How to Make Towels Softer
Vinegar: occasionally add 100–125 ml of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment. It helps remove detergent residue and soften the fibres.
Baking soda: to remove unpleasant odours, add about half a cup of baking soda directly to the drum. It freshens the fabric and improves the effectiveness of the detergent.
Drying and Care
Proper drying: shake the towels well after washing and dry them outdoors or in a tumble dryer at a low temperature.
Avoid hot radiators: do not dry towels on very hot radiators or heated towel rails. Excessive heat dries out the fibres and makes the towels feel rough.
Do not iron: terry towels are best left unironed because the iron flattens the loops. When necessary, use steam without pressing the iron firmly against the fabric.
