Have you ever noticed that your towels feel hard or smell? This happens because of build-up from body oils, laundry products, and even bacteria. To make them soft again, you’ll need to deep clean your towels and then tweak your washing routine a bit to keep them that way.
Below, I’ll walk you through the steps to deep clean your towels in your washing machine or tub, and then see the best way to wash them each week. keep your towels fluffy and soft. I also answer your frequently asked questions about towel care.
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Why deep cleaning of towels is important
Regular washing often fails to remove all the build-up of body oils, mineral deposits from hard water and laundry products. This residue is the main reason towels start to feel hard and scratchy. It prevents them from absorbing water and drying well.
Deep cleaning acts as a “reset button” for your towels by removing those waxy coatings and residue. This restores the softness of “hotel quality” fabric and gets rid of persistent odors caused by the build-up of bacteria left behind by regular detergent.
How to deep clean towels
There are two methods for deep cleaning towels. Which method you use depends on your goal.
- Double washing is best for newer or lightly soiled towels. Deep cleans by removing detergent build-up, stubborn odors and body oils. It is gentler and less time-consuming than strip washing.
- Band washing is best for heavily soiled or smelly towels. Deep cleans by removing build-up, body oil residue, mold, mildew and bacteria. However, it lasts longer and is harder on the fabric. Always field test before washing the films.
The double wash method
To double wash your towels, put them in the washing machine and add 2 cups of white vinegar, no detergent or fabric softener. Run a long, warm cycle. Once that’s done, add 1 cup of baking soda over the wet towels and wash them again, this time with half the amount of your regular detergent. Then dry them as usual.
Strip washing method
This method requires overnight soaking. If your front-load washer doesn’t allow soaking, rinse your towels in the tub and then rinse in the washer.
In the washing machine
- Add 1/4 cup borax, 1/4 cup washing soda, and 1/2 cup liquid laundry detergent to your washing machine drum.
- Select the longest, hottest wash cycle and run for 2 minutes to dissolve the dust.
- Add the towels.
- Let your machine agitate or spin the towels for a few minutes to really get them wet
- Interrupt the cycle for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
- When the time is up, complete the cycle and dry them as usual.
In the bathtub
- To remove washcloths in the tub, fill the tub halfway with warm water, then add 1 cup each of borax and baking soda plus 1/2 cup liquid laundry detergent. Stir until dissolved.
- Add the towels and let them soak for at least four hours, stirring occasionally.
- When the time is up, drain the tub and squeeze out the excess water and rinse until the water runs clear, then dry them.
END: Wash different colored towels in separate batches so the dyes don’t bleed into each other.
How to wash towels the right way every week
For standard weekly maintenance, wash your bath towels every three to four uses (or twice a week) to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
Split the load: Wash towels alone, never with clothes. This protects your towels from the friction that can cause them to wear out and prevents lint from getting all over your clothes. (It also prevents the fabric from rubbing.)
Stain pretreatment. Scrub both sides of the stains with a small amount of liquid laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid. Wait 5 minutes so the detergent can loosen the mess.
Use the correct temperature: Wash towels using the hot water setting. High temperatures are necessary to kill bacteria and mold spores.
Avoid overloading: The washing machine should not be more than three-quarters full (or leave a hand’s width of space) so that towels can move and be washed properly.
Use less detergent: To avoid detergent and soap residue build-up, follow the product label. (Check each new bottle as the recommended amount is different for each brand.)
Minimize the use of chlorine bleach. Standard chlorine bleach is harsh on fabrics. Look for safe bleach that doesn’t weaken the fabric or make your own oxygen bleach anti. Oxygen bleach also helps keep white towels bright.
Skipping conditioners: Avoid liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets altogether, as they coat fibers in a waxy residue that reduces absorbency and traps dirt. For soft towels, use 1 cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle instead.
After washing, shake well on each towel. A quick snap before you take the towel to the dryer or hang it on the clothesline helps to fluff up the fibers of the towel and reduce drying time.
Dry with care: Use the humidity sensor or regular cycle and remove wet towels immediately to avoid over-drying, which can make fibers brittle. Or line dry your towels in direct sunlight, which also kills bacteria and brightens whites.
Frequently asked questions about towel care
To refresh moldy towels, run them through a wash cycle with one cup of distilled white vinegar and no detergent. If the smell persists, do a second cycle with half a cup of baking soda.
Wash similar colored towels together and avoid detergents containing brighteners such as alpha hydroxy acids or benzoyl peroxide as these can cause fading.
A “double wash” (using vinegar and then baking soda) can be done monthly to maintain softness. More intensive “tape washing” (using borax and washing soda) is generally only needed once or twice a year.
With proper care, the lifespan of a typical luxury towel is approximately two years. You’ll know it’s time to replace them if you notice frayed edges, loose fibers, lingering odors, or a scratchy texture that no longer responds to deep cleaning
