There’s nothing better than wrapping yourself in a soft, fresh-smelling towel after a shower. But over time, even the best bath towels can start to feel rough, lose their absorbency, or smell a bit off. If that sounds familiar, chances are they’re not being washed the right way.
Different fabrics and colors need different care. How often you wash them, the detergent you use, the temperature of the water, and how you dry them all play a role. Even small habits, like letting towels fully dry between uses or not overloading the washing machine, can help prevent musty smells and keep your towels feeling new.
This guide breaks down the best ways to wash your white bath towels based on expert advice and tested tips. You’ll understand how often to wash them, how to keep them fluffy, and what steps to take to prevent odors and roughness so every time you reach for a towel, it feels just as good as the first time.
What you will need before washing your bath towels
Prepare the following to make sure you have everything you need to get your bath towels sparkling clean:
Equipment / Tools
- Washing machine or large laundry sink
- Dryer
Materials
- Heavy-duty laundry detergent
- Color-safe bleach
- Baking soda
- Distilled white vinegar
- Enzyme-based stain remover
How to Wash Bath Towels | Step-by-Step Guide
Knowing how to wash bath towels the right way can help you keep them soft, clean, and long-lasting. Towels go through a lot of daily use, moisture, sweat, and skin oils, so giving them proper care is important. Follow these steps to clean your bath towel thoroughly:
Step 1: Sort by Color
Separate white and colored towels before washing. Mixing them can cause colors to bleed or whites to turn dull. This is especially important for new towels or brightly colored ones.
Step 2: Don’t Overload the Machine
Towels need space to move around in the washer so they get fully cleaned and rinsed. Put in a few towels per load; three to four is enough in a front loader. Avoid cramming them in.
Step 3: Use the Right Detergent
Use a mild or gentle detergent. Strong detergents or using too much can cause buildup on the fibers, making cotton bath towels stiff and less absorbent. If your towels start feeling rough, cut the detergent amount in half.
Step 4: Wash with Warm Water
Most organic bath towels wash well in warm water. It’s hot enough to clean away dirt and body oils, but not so hot that it wears down the fibers. Always check the care label to be sure.
Step 5: Skip the Fabric Softener
Fabric softeners coat the towel fibers, making them feel smooth at first, but they also reduce absorbency over time. To soften your towels and remove buildup, add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle once in a while.
Step 6: Dry on Low Heat
After washing, dry your towels on a low-heat setting. High heat can damage the fibers and make them feel rough. For extra softness, toss in two or three wool dryer balls. They also help towels dry faster.
Step 7: Make Sure Towels Dry Completely
Damp towels can develop a musty smell. Whether using a dryer or hanging them on a line, always let them dry fully before folding or storing.
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How Often to Wash Bath Towels?
Bath towels may seem clean after a few uses, but they collect more than just water. Dead skin cells, sweat, and bacteria build up faster than most people realize. That’s why it’s important to wash your bath towels regularly, even if they still look clean.
A good rule of thumb is to wash bath towels after every three uses. This keeps them fresh, clean, and safe for your skin. If you shower every day, this means swapping out your towel about every three days.
Some experts suggest even more frequent washing, especially if you’re dealing with humid conditions or illness or if the towel doesn’t have time to dry fully between uses. Damp towels left bunched up can trap moisture, which leads to mildew and a musty smell. Always hang your towel after each use so it can dry properly. A towel that’s still damp should not be tossed straight into the laundry basket; let it air-dry first to avoid odor and bacteria growth.
For those with sensitive skin or allergies, or for anyone who showers more than once a day, it’s perfectly fine to change towels more often, even daily.
Keep in mind that other types of towels follow different rules. Hand towels should be washed every couple of days, and gym or beach towels should be cleaned after each use to remove sweat, chlorine, or sand.
Washing your bath towels regularly not only keeps them fresh but also helps protect your skin. Stick to this simple habit, and your towels will stay soft, clean, and ready whenever you need them.
Why Does My Towel Smell Bad After Washing
If your towels smell bad even after washing, you’re not alone. This is a common issue that many people face. So, what’s behind it? The main culprit is usually bacteria and mildew. Towels are great at soaking up moisture, but when they don’t dry properly or are left damp for too long, they create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
When bathroom hand towels remain wet, bacteria feed on dead skin cells, sweat, and oils from your body. This process can cause a musty smell that’s hard to get rid of. Even if you wash your towels regularly, detergent build-up, fabric softeners, or not drying them completely can all contribute to that unpleasant odor.
To avoid this, make sure to dry your towels fully between washes. Give them enough space to breathe in the washer and dryer. If you’re using too much detergent, it can leave a residue that prevents towels from rinsing clean, which in turn traps moisture and bacteria in the fabric.
If you live in an area with hard water, the minerals can build up on your towels, making them feel stiff and causing odors to linger. Regularly cleaning your washing machine and using the right detergent can help prevent this.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Towels
Keeping your soft cotton bath towel clean, soft, and fresh isn’t just about tossing them in the washer with soap. The way you wash and dry them makes a big difference in how long they last and how well they work. From detergent mistakes to drying habits, small choices can affect their softness and absorbency. Here are 5 common mistakes that people make when washing towels. Also, adding some recommendations will help keep your towels in top condition and prevent any unwanted buildup.
1. Using Too Much Detergent
It’s easy to think that more detergent means cleaner towels. But the truth is, using too much can backfire. Extra soap doesn’t always rinse out fully. It builds up on the fabric, making towels feel stiff and less absorbent.
What to do instead:
Stick to using about 1–2 tablespoons of detergent per load. That’s enough to clean without leaving a residue behind. If your towels already feel stiff, run them through a cycle with warm water and a cup of white vinegar (no detergent) to help remove buildup.
2. Washing Towels in Hot Water
Hot water can damage towel fibers over time, causing them to wear out faster and lose their softness. While it’s true that heat helps kill bacteria, washing towels in hot water too often can lead to rough textures and faded colors.
Better option:
Wash towels in warm water most of the time. It’s still strong enough to clean but gentle enough to protect the fabric. Reserve hot water for deep cleaning only when needed, like for white towels that are heavily soiled.
3. Overloading the Washing Machine
Stuffing too many towels into one load might seem efficient, but it leads to poor washing. Towels need space to move around in the drum. When they’re packed too tightly, water and detergent can’t reach every part evenly.
Simple fix:
Fill the washer no more than three-quarters full. This helps your towels get fully cleaned and rinsed, keeping them smelling fresh and feeling soft.
4. Using Fabric Softener Too Often
Fabric softeners might make towels feel nice at first, but over time, they coat the fibers with a layer that blocks water. This reduces absorbency and can leave behind a waxy feel. Dryer sheets cause the same issue.
What works better:
Use fabric softener only occasionally, every few washes at most. Or skip it altogether and add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It naturally softens towels without leaving a residue.
5. Not Drying Towels Properly
How you dry towels matters just as much as how you wash them. Over-drying them on high heat can make them rough and wear out the fabric. On the other hand, if they don’t dry completely, they can develop musty odors.
Best method:
Tumble dry towels on a low to medium heat setting. Remove them as soon as they’re dry to avoid damage. If air drying, hang them in a well-ventilated area and make sure they dry fully. Adding clean dryer balls can help keep them fluffy.
By avoiding these common mistakes, your towels will stay cleaner, softer, and more comfortable just the way they should be.
How to Keep Bath Towels Soft Over Time
If your towels start soft but quickly turn rough or scratchy or lose their absorbency, the way you’re washing them might be the problem. Many people think more detergent means cleaner towels, but that’s not true. Using too much detergent can leave a residue on the fabric, making towels stiff and less absorbent. Instead, use just a small amount, enough to clean but not so much that it builds up in the fibers.
Skip fabric softeners. While they might seem like a good idea, they coat the towel’s fibers and reduce absorbency. Over time, this makes towels feel greasy or stiff. A better option is to occasionally add a cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle. Vinegar helps break down residue and keeps towels feeling fresh.
Also, pay attention to how you dry your towels. Over-drying them in a hot dryer can damage the fibers, which causes stiffness. Tumble drying on a low setting or line drying when possible is much gentler. If you use a dryer, remove the towels while they’re still slightly damp, then let them air dry the rest of the way.
Finally, wash towels in warm water, not hot, and avoid washing them with clothes. Clothes can carry oils and dirt that transfer to towels, making them harder to keep clean and soft.
By following these simple steps, your towels will stay soft, fresh, and comfortable for much longer.
Conclusion
Washing bath towels the right way keeps them clean, soft, and long-lasting. Use warm water and a small amount of mild detergent, and skip the fabric softener; it can leave a residue and reduce absorbency. The way you wash, dry, and store your towels matters more than most people think. Simple habits like using the right amount of detergent, skipping fabric softeners, washing in warm water, and giving towels enough space to rinse and dry make a big difference. It’s also important to wash towels after every few uses and let them dry completely between uses. Always dry them completely, either in the dryer on a medium setting or outside in fresh air. Most importantly, wash your towels after every three to four uses to prevent bacteria and musty smells.
FAQs
1. Can you wash towels in cold water?
Yes, you can wash towels in cold water, but warm water is better for removing body oils, dirt, and bacteria. Use cold water only if the towels are lightly used or to save energy.
2. How do you remove musty smells from towels?
Wash the towels with one cup of white vinegar (no detergent), then run a second wash with baking soda. Dry them completely afterward to stop the smell from coming back.
3. Can you wash bath towels with clothes?
It’s best to wash towels separately. Towels produce lint and need a different wash cycle than clothes. Washing them alone also keeps them cleaner and prevents damage to other fabrics.
4. What temperature should you wash bath towels at?
Wash towels in warm water for the best clean. Hot water can be used occasionally for deep cleaning, but it may cause fading or shrinkage over time.
5. Can you air-dry towels instead of using a dryer?
Yes, you can air-dry towels. Just hang them in a well-ventilated space and spread them out fully so they dry faster and don’t get stiff or musty.
