10 Steps to soft, fluffy towels
OH! The comfort of being wrapped in a soft, clean, fluffy, sweet-smelling towel after a shower, is a cosy and luxurious feeling. For a short moment, the pleasure of fluffy towels is enough to make you feel like you’re living in a five-star hotel or visiting a spa. It’s a plush feeling we can all relate to.
The first step to enjoying that experience is to invest in high-quality bath towels, and the second step is to know how to properly care for your towels. This pleasure can quickly turn into agony when our towels become stiff and scratchy after a few months. This can happen to even the most luxurious, softest, towels available. Why? Although a variety of factors, such as friction, moisture, and repeated contact with oils and dirt, can wear down the fabric, the stiffness and roughness of towels are determined by how they are washed and dried.
So it’s worth learning how to soften towels and keep them fluffy for a spa-like experience at home; aside from that, keeping them fluffy will make them gentler on everyone’s skin.
Towel washing is an art that everyone should master, and with Trenor’s easy-to-follow tips, you can ensure that your towels remain soft, fluffy, and smell amazing after each wash!
Washing tips
Towels must be thoroughly cleaned to remove germs, dirt, sweat, and oils that are collected as we dry off, or they will be breeding grounds for bacteria.
- First wash
Towel care begins with the initial wash before use. This removes the coat of silicone that is applied during the production process. The removal of this coating opens up the fibres allowing them to absorb water more readily. A first wash also removes any lint that could be left over in the towel after the weaving process.
2. Wash towels alone
Wash towels separately, mixing them with sheets or clothes would cause lint transfer and deposition in the towels. Sort the towels into colours just as you would for the regular wash load, to prevent colour run issues and white towels from greying.
3. Detergent
One of the main culprits for stiff towels is detergent. Soap residue can accumulate on the surface of the towel over time, causing the fibres to harden and lose absorbency. When it comes to detergents, less is more. Too much soap doesn’t allow the towels to be rinsed thoroughly. We recommend about one tablespoon of detergent for a full load of towels. If you use a small amount, it will be much easier to rinse out every bit of the soap from the fibres.
4. Remove fabric softener from the equation
Given the name’s promise of ultimate softness, it’s only natural to go for a bottle while washing your towels. But don’t do it! It turns out silicon is found in fabric softeners. Remember how we said earlier that the silicon coating on new towels needed to be washed away for them to absorb water? Fabric softener just restores the silicon, which will eventually accumulate and become a waxy deposit. This is equal to a rough-textured towel.
5. Do not overload
Towels require a large amount of space to breathe, circulate and thoroughly rinse out all dirt and detergent. It may be tempting to throw all of your family’s bath towels in the washer at once, but this will not improve softness or cleanliness, when the towel dries, the dirt and detergent residue will clump together, and harden.
6. White Vinegar
White distilled vinegar is the secret ingredient for soft, fluffy towels. The vinegar aids in the removal of any soap residue that may have accumulated. It also disinfects the towels and helps in setting the towel colour to prevent fading and greying whites. In terms of towel softness and scent, vinegar is an excellent substitute for fabric softener. Do you know that sour, damp smell that lingers especially when used towels are not dried thoroughly? Washing and rinsing with white vinegar can get rid of the smell. Just add a cup of vinegar to the wash and the rinse cycle.
7. Baking Soda
Baking soda is ideal for loosening and cleaning stain particles from towels. Bleach shouldn’t be used to remove stains as it deteriorates fabrics, As a bonus, baking soda naturally eliminates musty odours. Simply, mix half a cup of baking soda with detergent and wash as normal. However, never combine baking soda and vinegar this reaction results in an overflow of foam.
8. Drying
Dry your towels as quickly as possible to avoid the formation of mould and unpleasant odours. Towel drying needs a certain amount of delicacy. You must thoroughly dry them, but be cautious not to over dry them, since this may break the fibres that make towels soft and fluffy.
Shaking the towel before and after drying is a simple trick that may improve the softness significantly. The shaking motion loosens and opens up the fibres of the towel. If you’re using a tumble dryer, set it to a lower heat level.
Between usage, hang them over a pole without any creases to allow the towel to dry uniformly. Avoid hooks, as moisture can accumulate in the creases when they’re hanging.
9. Hot or cold water?
It all depends on the type of towel you’re using. Every towel is unique and requires a different approach. Check the care label for the recommended temperature and wash at the highest temperature that it allows, which would not only preserve your towel but would also get rid of most bacteria.
10. How often?
To protect your towels from becoming germ breeding grounds, wash them at least once a week. Frequent washing can break down fibres, therefore it's recommended to have a pair of towels in rotation, at least two, so that your towels may rest in between washes.
Ironing towels is not recommended since the intense heat will harm the fabric.
Storing Towels
Towels should be dry before folding and storing them because damp towels are a breeding ground for mildew and germs. Towels can be stored in a linen closet, displayed on a bathroom rack, or neatly tucked into a drawer. The most important thing to remember is to never fold or store damp towels and to keep them in places where moisture would not be a problem.
High-quality towels can survive for years if cared for properly. Once you follow these tips, your towels will reward you with a velvety feeling every time.
With our signature sweet scented luxe fragrance and passionate team, you can trust Trenor Coats and Gowns Limited with your towels, for the ultimate luxury experience. We would make sure that you would enjoy their softness for as long as possible. Call us today, on 0553655059.
Written by :
Loveryn Dodu
Research and Training Supervisor
Trenor Coats and Gowns Ltd
References
Ebert,J.(2022).How to soften towels and keep them soft — for luxury every day. Retrieved https://www.homesandgardens.com/advice/how-to-keep-towels-soft
Mizu.(2022). All the Secrets about Hotel Towels — Soft & Fluffy.Retrieved from https://www.mizutowel.com/blogs/articles/all-the-secrets-about-hotel-towels
Parachutehome.(2022). How to Wash and Properly Care for Towels retrieved from https://www.parachutehome.com/blog/how-to-wash-and-properly-care-for-towels
