What temperature should towels be washed at?

Sara Idenfors

To get clean and fresh towels, it is recommended to wash them at a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius. This temperature effectively kills bacteria and removes dirt that has accumulated during use.

 

If you want to ensure extra hygiene, especially when towels are used frequently or if someone in the household has been ill, you can wash the towels at 90 degrees, as long as the material can withstand the high temperature. It is important to always follow the washing instructions on the towels to avoid damaging the fabric and to extend the towels’ lifespan.

 

By washing towels correctly, you protect both your skin and your home from bacteria and odors, while keeping your towels soft and fresh for longer.

 

 

To wash terry towels in the best way and preserve their softness and absorbency, follow these steps:

 

  1. Sort the towels: Terry towels can shed lint, especially when they are new. To prevent lint from sticking to other clothes, you can wash them separately the first time. This also helps prevent color transfer and lint shedding.

 

  1. Washing temperature: Wash terry towels at 60 degrees Celsius to effectively remove dirt and bacteria. If the towels are very dirty or used frequently, you can wash them at 90 degrees, if the washing instructions allow it.

 

  1. Use the right detergent: Choose a mild detergent without bleach to preserve the towels’ color and material. All-Purpose Detergent from Soapa is a good choice. Avoid fabric softener, as it can reduce the towels’ absorbency by leaving a film on the fibers.

 

  1. Do not overfill the machine: Do not overfill the washing machine, as the towels need space to be washed and rinsed properly.

 

  1. Drying: To preserve the softness of terry towels, dry them in a tumble dryer at low to medium heat. If you prefer to air-dry the towels, shake them thoroughly before and after drying to fluff up the fibers.

 

  1. Avoid excessive washing: Do not wash terry towels more often than necessary, as frequent washing can wear out the material and reduce the towels’ lifespan.


Hammam Towels

Hammam towels, also known as pestemal or Turkish towels, are thin, lightweight, and often made of cotton or bamboo. They require slightly different care than ordinary terry towels to preserve their softness and durability. Here are some tips for washing hammam towels:

 

  1. Prepare before the first wash: Before using your hammam towel for the first time, it is recommended that you soak it in cold water for a couple of hours or overnight. This helps improve the towel’s absorbency and reduces the risk of shrinking.

 

  1. Sort the towels: Wash hammam towels separately from clothes and other textiles when they are new to avoid color transfer.

 

  1. Washing temperature: Wash hammam towels in cold or lukewarm water, at a maximum of 40 degrees Celsius. This helps preserve the towel’s color and softness. Higher temperatures can cause shrinkage and wear on the fibers.

 

  1. Use the right detergent: Use a mild, liquid detergent without bleach or harsh chemicals to preserve the towel’s quality. All-Purpose Detergent from Soapa is a good choice. Avoid fabric softener, as it can make the towel less absorbent.

 

  1. Avoid tumble-drying: Air-dry the towel if possible. Lay it flat or hang it on a clothes rail to prevent it from stretching or losing its shape. If you do use a tumble dryer, use low heat and remove the towel while it is still slightly damp to prevent shrinkage.

 

  1. Avoid excessive washing: Wash hammam towels only when truly necessary, as frequent washing can wear out the thin fibers and reduce their lifespan.

 

Sports Towels

Washing a sports towel, which is often made of microfiber or a quick-drying material, requires a little extra care to preserve its properties. Here is how to do it step by step:

 

  1. Wash after every use: Sports towels should be washed after every use to remove sweat, bacteria, and odors that can build up.

 

  1. Sort the towels: Wash the sports towel separately from regular clothes and towels, especially if it is very dirty or has a strong odor.

 

  1. Washing temperature: Wash the sports towel in cold or lukewarm water, at a maximum of 30–40 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures can damage the microfiber structure and reduce its effectiveness.

 

  1. Use the right detergent: Choose a mild, liquid detergent, preferably All-Purpose Detergent. Avoid using detergent that contains bleach or fabric softener, as these can damage the microfiber and reduce the towel’s absorbency and quick-drying properties.

 

  1. Avoid fabric softener: Fabric softener can clog the microfibers and reduce the towel’s ability to absorb moisture. If you want a softer towel, add a small amount of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment instead.

 

  1. Drying: Hang the sports towel to air-dry to preserve its shape and properties. If you use a tumble dryer, select a low heat setting and remove the towel as soon as it is dry to prevent the microfibers from being damaged.

 

  1. Avoid ironing: Microfiber towels do not need to be ironed, and the heat from an iron can damage the fibers and impair the towel’s performance.

 

By following these steps, your sports towel will stay fresh, absorbent, and effective for a long time.

 

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Questions and answers:


1. Should terry towels be tumble-dried?
Answer: Yes, it is a good idea to do so to preserve the towel’s quality and absorbency.

 

2. Can a hammam towel be washed in the same way as a terry towel?
Answer: No, the text above contains a step-by-step guide explaining how to wash a pestemal.

 

3. How do you wash a sports towel?
Answer: Wash at 40°C without fabric softener.



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