New towels are super soft, which is great but not that effective when it comes to drying! This is because the manufacturers use a lot of fabric softener and treat the towels with a silicone finish, reducing absorbency.
Thankfully, it’s not too difficult to make your towel more absorbent, just follow the simple steps below.
Step One: Carefully Load the Washing Machine
Load your washing machine with your new towels. Ensure not to overload the machine – aim for no more than a half full drum. Also remember to separate light colours from dark if needed.
Step Two: Choose the Correct Cycle
Now it’s time to wash the towels. No need for any detergent or fabric softener at the moment—just hot water.
Set your machine to a 60-degree wash (your towels will only need to be washed at 40 degrees in future cycles) and start a rinse cycle.
This will allow the water to remove the fabric softener that is currently preventing your towels from doing their job!
Step Three: Add White Vinegar
Once your washer has filled with hot water, add 1 cup of white vinegar into the mix. This will aid the hot water in removing the fabric softener.
Step Four: Wait for the Cycle to Finish
Complete the wash cycle. Don’t take your towels out to dry once the cycle is finished – you’re not done yet!
Step Five: Repeat
Using the same settings as before, start a new wash cycle.
Step Six: Add Bicarbonate of Soda
This time, once the towels are fully submerged in the water, add half a cup of bicarbonate of soda (as opposed to white vinegar).
WARNING! Do not try to create a shortcut and mix vinegar and bicarbonate of soda in the same wash, there will be a chemical reaction between the two, which will create a large amount of foam and even more cleaning up for you to do!
Now, simply wait for your washing machine cycle to finish.
Step Seven: Let Towels Dry
Almost done! Now all that’s left is to dry your towels. Any option is fine, so choose whichever you prefer between the tumble dryer, hanging on a clothes horse, or using a clothesline outside—it’s up to you!
Seven very simple steps towards a functioning set of towels! Enjoy!
Hi, I’m Bron. I’m an elite endurance athlete, love the outdoors and anything involving food! All of which have the potential to make a mess! I don’t have a huge concentration span (and like to use the excuse of being too busy), so go for quick and easy cleaning methods where possible!
