8 common mistakes that ruin your towels.
Towels may seem easy to care for, but improper washing and storage can quickly lead to loss of softness, reduced absorbency, and even unpleasant odors. If your towels have become stiff, gray, or lost their plush feel, the cause may lie in inadequate maintenance.
UNN has compiled a list of 8 common mistakes to avoid to extend the life of your towels.
How long do towels last?
To keep towels soft, absorbent, and looking neat, it is essential not only to care for them properly but also to replace them in a timely manner. On average, towels last between two to five years, depending on their quality, frequency of use, and care. Regularly changing out several sets will help them last longer.
8 mistakes in towel care
1. Using too much detergent
If you think that using more laundry powder or gel will make your towels cleaner, that is not the case. Excess detergent accumulates in the fabric fibers, making towels stiff and less absorbent. Therefore, use the amount recommended by the manufacturer.
How to fix it: If you've already overused detergent, try soaking the towels in water with vinegar, and then wash them in a regular cycle without detergent.
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2. Using chlorine bleach when washing towels
Of course, chlorine bleach can help remove stains from white towels. However, it can also damage them, as regular use of bleach gradually breaks down cotton fibers, causing towels to become thinner and less durable.
Alternative: Use oxygen bleach or soak towels in a solution of water and baking soda to remove stains and maintain color brightness.
03. Washing towels too frequently or too infrequently
Washing a towel after every use can wear it out quickly. However, if you wash it too infrequently, bacteria and dead skin cells can accumulate in the fabric.
Optimal washing frequency:
- Bath towels - every 3-4 uses.
- Hand towels - daily.
- Kitchen towels - daily or every 1-2 days.
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4. Overloading the washing machine
If you cram the washing machine full, the towels won’t have enough space for a proper wash. Detergent won't rinse out completely, and dirt and bacteria may remain in the fibers.
How to fix it: Fill the washing machine drum to no more than 2/3 capacity to allow items to move freely.
15. Using fabric softener when washing towels
Fabric softener creates a thin film on towels, which reduces their ability to absorb moisture.
How to fix it: Occasionally add a little white vinegar instead of fabric softener - it will help keep towels soft and remove detergent residues.
26. Leaving wet towels on the floor
If you have a habit of throwing wet towels into a pile on the floor, you create conditions for mold and bacteria to thrive in the fibers, making it significantly harder to clean the towels.
And of course, this is not good for your carpets and floors, especially if you have wooden flooring.
How to fix: Always hang towels to dry after use. If left wet for even a few hours, they can start to smell unpleasant.
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7. Washing kitchen towels and cleaning rags with bath towels
Kitchen towels can harbor grease, food residues, and bacteria, which should not be transferred to bath towels.
How to fix: Wash bath towels and kitchen towels separately.
8. Washing towels with items that have zippers or Velcro
You might wonder what difference it makes what you wash with towels. However, if they end up in the drum with items that have rough textures, zippers, or Velcro, it can lead to pulled threads and fabric damage.
How to fix: Wash towels separately or only with items made of soft fabrics.