Washing towels may feel like a mundane chore, but getting it right can keep your towels feeling plush, smelling fresh, and lasting longer. With the right washer settings, proper detergent use, and smart temperature choices, you’ll go from wondering “how do I wash towels so they stay soft?” to mastering your laundry routine. This guide covers how to wash towels in the washer like a pro.
Setting The Stage: What Load and Cycle Should You Use?
Choose the Proper Cycle
When you ask “what setting to wash towels in the washing machine?”, think of these:
- Use the normal or regular cycle for towels made of cotton terry cloth; it gives enough agitation and time to clean thoroughly.
- If your washer has a “towels” cycle, use that; it may boost the water level or extend rinse time for bulky items.
- Avoid using delicate or gentle cycles for towels; those are better for fine fabrics.
Don’t Overload the Machine
Towels absorb a lot of water and need space to tumble freely. If you cram the drum full, cleaning and rinsing suffer. Think of leaving some headspace so towels can move. When you’re next loading that batch, ask: “Am I drowning the towels in the tub?”
Sort Colors and Fabrics
Separate white, light colors, and dark colors. Pale-colored towels go in one load, darker ones in another. This helps prevent dye transfer and preserves vibrancy. Also, avoid mixing heavy towels with delicate fabrics in the same load.
Detergent and Add-Ons: What to Use and What to Skip
Use The Right Amount of Detergent
When wondering “how do I wash towels?”, a key answer is: don’t overdo the detergent. Residue builds up and makes towels stiff and less absorbent. Experts suggest using about half the usual detergent dose for towels.
Skip Fabric Softener
While fabric softener smells nice, it leaves a coating on towel fibers that repels water and reduces absorbency. For plush results, use distilled white vinegar or even baking soda occasionally instead of softener to keep things fresh without impairing performance.
Pre-Treat When Needed
If towels are heavily soiled (think gym towels, beach towels, or towels used with skincare treatments), pre-treat stains or let them soak for a few minutes before washing. But for everyday bath towels, a good basic wash is usually enough.
Temperature Tips: The Magic Number for Towels
Temperature is one of the biggest factors in washing machine settings for towels. Let’s break down what works best.
| Fabric type/goal | Recommended temperature | Why |
| White/light towels that need a deeper clean | Hot (around 60 °C / 140 °F) | Kills more bacteria and brightens whites. |
| Dark-coloured towels | Warm (≈ 40 °C / 104 °F) | Helps clean but preserves colour and fabric. |
| Everyday loads that are clean or lightly used | Warm (≈ 40 °C) | Balance of cleaning and fabric care. |
Washing at hot temperatures helps kill bacteria and remove oils. Warm water is gentler on fibres and colours. Cold water can work if you use a good detergent, but it may not be ideal for towels that sit in humid bathrooms and absorb body oils.
How to Wash Towels in the Washer: A Step-By-Step Guide
- Sort towels by colour and fabric weight.
- Load towels loosely so they tumble freely.
- Set the cycle to normal or towels (or equivalent) and select appropriate temperature (hot for whites as needed; warm for most others).
- Add the correct amount of detergent (consider using half the usual amount for towels).
- Skip fabric softener; instead, add half a cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle if you want softness.
- When the cycle ends, remove towels promptly, shake or fluff them, and dry by tumble or air-drying.
And if your hotel is outfitted with specialty textiles like luxury music-themed towels , they’ll stay looking and feeling premium for longer, too.
Extra Care Tips to Keep Towels Fresh, Fluffy, and Long-Lasting
- Wash new towels before first use: Many new towels have factory finishes that reduce absorbency. A first wash removes those.
- Give towels space to dry between uses, fold them open, or hang them instead of letting them stay bunched up.
- Avoid air-drying exclusively if it leaves towels stiff; toss them in a dryer for a few minutes of fluff if needed.
- Resist ironing towels; it flattens fibres and reduces absorbency.
- Replace towels when they stop absorbing, feel rough, or the hems fray; even proper care cannot fix overly worn towels.
Conclusion
If you’re Googling “how to wash towels in the washer”, these three pillars will serve you well: pick the right cycle and load size, use the correct detergent amount, and skip those softener products, then select an optimal temperature for colour and cleanliness. Applying these practices will keep your towels plush, absorbent, and hygienic.
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