Who doesn’t love stepping out of the shower and wrapping themselves in a soft warm towel?
One of the best bits of the day is when you step out of the shower or bath and wrap yourself in a comfy soft towel. Contrast that when you’ve stayed away and the towel has been thin, scratchy or both!
How can you achieve luxurious ‘hotel fluffy’ towels at home?
Wash new towels before you use them.
Often, new towels are coated in softeners to make them feel good on the shelf when you buy them. Put new towels into your washing machine once you get home, removing this artificial softener means your new towels dry as they should.
Wash your towels separately from your other laundry
Washing your towels by themselves prevents them from being snagged by zips and other trimmings on clothes. If your washing machine has a selected setting for towels, use it! Before you put your dirty towels in the drum, shake them. This is to open up the fibres so they can absorb the detergent better once the washing cycle begins.
Don’t overload your washing machine with towels
If you overload your washing machine the water and detergent can’t do its job properly.
Use the recommended quantity of laundry detergent
Too much laundry detergent can make your towels feel ‘sticky’ as well as clogging up your washing machine over time. Read the dosing guidelines. Go easy on the fabric conditioner as well. Too much can affect absorbency and leave towels feeling stiff.
Wash your towels in medium-hot water
Your towel’s care label will tell you the laundry cycle and temperature it needs – usually the main cottons wash at 30°C – 40°C. Darker towels can go through on a cooler water temperature compared to whites to avoid fading.
Tumble dry your towels – but with care
Shake your freshly spun towels once you remove them from the washing machine and before putting them in the tumble dryer.
Hanging towels outside for a bit before tumble drying can keep them fluffy and shorten the drying-time. If only tumble drying, don’t dry towels too long or at too hot a setting as this can leave them ‘crunchy’ and dull.
Finally, know when it’s time to say goodbye.
Even by following this care guidance, your towels will not last forever (sadly). If you’ve got towels that are thin, stiff or smell even after washing it’s time to treat yourself to new ones! Start-over with your towel care programme and ensure you enjoy that fluffy feeling everyday!
