October 1, 2020
How to Make Your Towels Soft and Clean Again
Frustrated with crunchy or musty smelling towels? Want to restore them to their soft and clean look and smell? How do they go from super soft and fluffy towels to crunchy and stiff and musty smelling? It just takes a couple simple steps to keep your towels soft, clean, and luxurious feeling for a long time.
Towels absorb water, if they aren’t hung up to allow for quick and thorough drying or if they remain damp, they get stinky. Hampers and baskets are full, towels get stuffed into the washing machine and never get fully clean. Then they get over-stuffed into the dryer and don’t get completely dry or get dry but aren’t folded right away leaving them wrinkled and crunchy. I use Wool Dryer Balls and a couple drops of the Clean Mama Blends of essential oil (love the Clean Home Blend for laundry!) on the dryer balls (let dry before putting in the dryer) to lightly scent towels and to help them dry thoroughly in the dryer.
It’s much easier than you might think to keep those towels looking and feeling like new.
First things first, here’s my Towel Laundering Method:
- Every load of towels gets 1 scoop of Laundry Super Powder or 5 sprays of Laundry Detergent Spray – both have enzymes that break down dirt, sweat, bacteria, odors, etc.
- Every load gets 1/4 cup white vinegar in lieu of a fabric softener – this helps to soften the towels naturally – there is NO smell in the wet or dry laundry.
- Every load of towels gets 1 scoop of Oxygen Whitener – this whitens, brightens, and cleans.
De-stink your towels
- Make sure your towel storage method is optimal for non-stinky towels.
- Use bath towels no more than twice before washing and make sure that they are able to fully dry in between uses and before tossing them in a hamper or laundry basket.
- Change your hand towels often – daily is optimal.
- Never leave your towels (or any laundry) longer than a couple hours in the washing machine. The wet towels and closed space are breeding grounds for bacteria and smells to build up.
- Never over-fill your washing machine or dryer as you want adequate water flow in the wash and air flow in the dryer to clean and dry your towels (and any laundry).
- If you notice on my cleaning routine I wash sheets and towels on Saturdays. This works really well to keep the towels clean and put away on schedule.
- If you have some extra stinky towels use 1/2 cup baking soda in a wash with warm water and then re-wash the towels with your favorite laundry powder or spray.
Stop using liquid fabric softener
Fabric softener coats the fibers and can keep your towels from getting fully clean – not to mention it’s full of chemicals that you don’t need in your home. You can use white vinegar as a softener (1/4 cup/load) and bonus, it’ll freshen up your towels too. Simply pour the vinegar in the softener dispenser on your washing machine. I use a pump on top of a glass spray bottle.
Switch to white towels
If you’re looking to simplify your laundry, I also suggest switching to white towels. Why? You can wash them all at once, they can be washed on hot or sanitize when needed without fading. Wash them with bleach alternative to remove stains without any spotting or fading. And best of all? White towels add a spa-like look to your bathrooms and they match with just about any color or decor. They never look dingy because I use Clean Mama Oxygen Whitener on all of our whites and kids’ clothes.
Purchase new towels
If your towels have seen better days and they’re showing signs of wear, you might need some new towels. Donate old towels to your local animal shelter or donation spot. I keep a stack of old, worn towels on hand for bathing the dog and when the kids are sick and need a path to the bathroom. Pictured are the spa towels from Boll & Branch, I also recommend Home Goods, Costco, and Target for high quality towels at low prices.
Grab my must-have soft and clean towel (and every load of laundry) products with a discount with the subscription or bundle!
Here are a couple more laundry posts you might enjoy:
How to Naturally Strip Laundry
Free Printable : Laundry Guide
Doing a Load of Laundry Every Day Can Change Your Life
How to Naturally Clean Any Washing Machine and free printable guides
Have a soft + fluffy towel tip? Share it in the comments!
Cindy Elrod Says
What name brand towel from Target do you recommend?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorI like the Threshold line 🙂
Sara Says
Thank you for the information!! A quick question… I have added vinegar to the liquid softener compartment but wondered about corrosion inside the machine… what do you think?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorHere’s why I recommend white vinegar as a fabric softener and as a method to clean your washing machine: it works and it’s non-toxic! I have had numerous repair people install and fix washing machines and the most common comment has been – how do you not have any build-up? I’ve asked to inspect with them the gaskets, hoses, parts, etc. for any damage and there never has been any.
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Chris Simmons Says
I assume you put the oxygen whitener on top of the clothes? Would it be best to dilute the oxygen whitener with water before putting it on top of the clothes? I bought the same kind of washer you have. Do you run the “clean cycle” monthly even if you use the vinegar in each load?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorYes, I put the OW on top of the clothes, you could definitely dissolve/dilute it first. I do run the clean cycle monthly.
Loren Says
You mentioned to use hot water for your white towels. I saw that you purchased Boll & Branch. I called them and they said since they were organic cotton to wash in cold water and not to use any bleach. Can you clear that up for me. thanks.
Clean Mama Says
Post authorI use warm water and no bleach and have had no issues with that combination, but by all means, do what works for you!
M L Says
I wash our towels with 1/3 cup bicarbonate of soda only at 60 deg temperature, and rinse with white vinegar (I fill the softener compartment). Then hang outside. As we have scorching sun on most days the towels aren’t fluffy but they are definitely clean and absorbent.
The washing machine and pipes get cleaned at the same time. My 2 washing machines lasted 14 years each and had no calcium build up (I also give them a thorough clean with bicarbonate and vinegar monthly).
Erin Says
Yes! Softener is terrible for towels and anything you want to be absorbent. I worked at Linens N Things throughout my college years. We were CONSTANTLY saying this. I don’t know how it isn’t common knowledge by now. The softener coats the fibers and prevents them from absorbing (which also traps in the smells – good and bad!).
Christie Says
If I do not have a fabric softener dispenser can I add the vinegar straight to the wash?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorI’d recommend putting it in a fabric softener ball 🙂
Katherine Says
Do you wash towels in cold water or hot water. Thank you
Clean Mama Says
Post authorwarm!