Ensure cleanliness and freshness with proper towel washing techniques.
Plus, towels can be expensive, so washing them carefully can help them last longer, too.
High-quality towels should last 12 years, depending on usage and proper care, says Eichholz.
Credit:Getty Images / brizmaker
But what, exactly, is the best method for cleaning your towels?
Should you wash towels in hot water?
If your towels are any fabric other than cotton, avoid hot at all costs, warns Richardson.
Other fabrics can not stand up to that temperature.
you’re able to shrink the towels or cause them to lose their shape.
Eichholz believes that washing your towels in hot water can actually do more harm than good.
Hot water is also known to shrink towels composed of 100% cotton, too.
This method is color-safe and not damaging to the fabric, he says.
Eichholz is a fan of using vinegar and baking soda when your towels need some TLC.
Vinegar helps break down buildup and baking soda helps neutralize odor, according to Eichholz.
Richardson and Eichholz disagree on whether a cold wash cycle effectively cleans towels.
According to Eichholz, cold water will still kill germs and leave your towels and robes fresher than ever.
He prefers to opt for a warm cycle setting.
One of the more important practices when washing your towels is to not overdry them, according to Richardson.
High heat damages the fibers, makes them feel stiff, and causes shrinkage.
Depending on your dryer, you might have to send them through more than once.
Hot water can be damaging to the cotton and shrink the towel, she says.
Yeshot water causes natural materials to shrink and can weaken the fibers (think: less luxe).
