Enjoy Fresh, Soft Towels with These Tips

by Product Specialist

Do your towels need a refresh? Enjoy fresh, soft towels with these tips.

There are few things better than drying yourself off with a fresh, fluffy towel after a hot shower. The problem is that towels rarely stay fluffy for long. After a handful of washes, you might notice that your towels feel rough and worn. They might even have a funky smell even though you've just washed them. No, there is nothing wrong with your washing machine or your tumble dryer; this is a common problem with towels, but there are things you can do to refresh your towels and help them feel and smell like new.

Towels and Detergent

The reason why your towels might feel rough and smell bad right out of the dryer is that laundry detergent and fabric softener have built up too much in the fabric. Soap residue builds up over time, which prevents your towels from drying effectively. This decreases their softness and turns them into breeding grounds for bacteria, hence the funky smell.

Keeping Your Towels Fresh and Fluffy

The best way to keep your towels feeling soft and smelling fresh is to limit the amount of laundry detergent you use. Only use as much detergent as you need based on the manufacturer's package. If you have a more efficient washing machine, use even less. If your wet clothes and towels come out of your washing machine feeling stiff, you've used too much detergent and should cut back. A clothes dryer will be able to dry your towels, but hanging your towels to dry is better. If you do use a clothes dryer, whether it is a tumble dryer, gas dryer or an electric dryer, don't use a fabric softener. It builds up in the fabric of your towels just like your detergent.

Refreshing Rough and Smelly Towels

To refresh your old towels, first wash them in hot water with a cup of vinegar and no detergent. Next, wash them again in hot water with a cup of baking soda. Again, don't add any detergent. Finally, dry your towels without using any fabric softener or dryer sheets. You can use a good clothes washer, but hanging your towels to dry is always better. Remember to wash your towels using as little detergent as needed after three uses.