8 common mistakes that ruin your towels

Towels seem easy to care for, but due to improper washing and storage, they quickly lose their softness, stop absorbing moisture well, and can even smell unpleasant. If your towels have become stiff, gray, or lost their softness, the reason may be improper care.

UNN has prepared 8 common mistakes to avoid to extend the life of your towels.

How long do towels last?

For towels to remain soft, absorb moisture, and look neat, it is important not only to care for them properly but also to replace them in a timely manner. On average, towels last from two to five years — it all depends on their quality, frequency of use, and care. If you regularly change several sets, they will last longer.

8 mistakes in caring for your towels

1. Using too much detergent

If you think that using more washing powder or gel will make towels cleaner, this is not the case. Excess detergent accumulates in the fabric fibers, making towels stiff and less absorbent. So use the manufacturer's recommended amount of detergent.

How to fix: If you have already overdone it with detergent, try soaking the towels in water with vinegar, and then wash them in the usual mode without powder.

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2. Using chlorine bleach when washing towels

Of course, chlorine bleach can help remove stains on white towels. However, it can also damage them, as constant use of bleach gradually destroys cotton fibers, making towels 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.

3. You wash the towel too often or too rarely

If you wash a towel after every use, it wears out quickly. But if you do it too rarely, bacteria and dead skin cells accumulate in the fabric.

Optimal washing:

• Bath towels – every 3–4 uses.

• Hand towels – daily.

• Kitchen towels – daily or every 1–2 days.

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4. Overfilling the washing machine

If you load the washing machine to capacity, the towels will not get enough space for quality washing. The detergent is not rinsed out completely, and dirt and bacteria can remain in the fibers.

How to fix: Fill the washing machine drum no more than 2/3 of its volume so that things can move freely.

5. Using fabric softener when washing towels

Fabric softener creates a thin film on towels that reduces their ability to absorb moisture.

How to fix: Every few washes, add a little white vinegar instead of conditioner – it will help keep towels soft and rid them of detergent residues.

6. Leaving wet towels on the floor

If you have a habit of throwing wet towels in a pile on the floor, you create conditions for the growth of mold and bacteria in the fibers, which significantly complicates the cleaning of towels.

And, of course, this is not very good for your carpets and floors, especially if you have wooden floors.

How to fix: Always hang towels to dry after use. If left wet even for 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 contain grease, food residues, and bacteria that are undesirable to transfer to bath towels.

How to fix: Wash bath and kitchen towels separately.

8. Washing towels with items that have zippers or Velcro

It would seem, what's the difference what to wash towels with? But if they get into the drum along with items that have rough textures, zippers, or Velcro, this leads to thread pulling and fabric damage.

How to fix: Wash towels separately or only with items made of soft fabrics.