At first glance, washing towels might seem like a no-brainer. All you have to do is toss them into your washing machine, add some detergent, hit start, and voilà – you’ll have fresh towels after just a few minutes.
However, if your towels are coming out rough, smelly, or not as absorbent as they used to be, then you might be making some common laundry mistakes. Read on below for the nitty-gritty on towel care and see where things might be going awry:
Overloading the Washing Machine
When you’re dealing with a mountain of laundry but don’t have the time to spare, it can be tempting to cram as many towels as you can into a single load.
Overloading your washing machine can be a recipe for disaster, though. When the machine is too full, your towels don’t get the thorough cleaning that they need. Detergent and water can’t circulate properly, leaving grime and detergent residue trapped in the fibers.
Solution: Give Towels Some Space
To ensure that your towels come out clean and fresh, give them some room to breathe. Only fill your washing machine about two-thirds full. This allows water and detergent to move freely, giving your towels the best chance at a proper wash.
Using DIY Products on Moldy Towels
Towels can be a magnet for mold and bacteria, especially if they are frequently damp or not allowed to dry properly. Mold thrives in warm, moist environments, making wet towels a perfect breeding ground.
When your towels are moldy, they can develop a musty and unpleasant smell. Moldy towels can also trigger allergies and respiratory problems, especially in sensitive individuals.
Solution: Use EC3 Laundry Additive
Instead of using DIY solutions to treat mold on towels, you’re better off going with a specialized product that deals with mold and bacteria specifically. EC3 Laundry Additive from Micro Balance Health Products is an all-natural product that contains no harmful chemicals and is 100% free of metasilicates, caustics, chlorine, ammonia, and phosphates. It’s made out of “food-grade” citrus seed extracts, tea tree oil, and natural surfactants to clean mold spores, odor-causing bacteria, and yeast.
Using Too Much Detergent
People who want cleaner towels might be inclined to think that using more soap might get them the results that they want. Did you know, though, that using too much detergent might actually make your towels less clean? When excess detergent doesn’t rinse out completely, it can leave a residue that can make towels feel stiff and less absorbent. It can also trap odors, leading to that dreaded mildew smell.
Solution: Measure Detergent Carefully
Stick to the recommended amount of detergent for your load size. If you have a high-efficiency washer, use HE detergent, which is designed to produce fewer suds and rinse out more easily.
Fabric Softener: To Add or Not to Add
Advertisements for fabric softener often tout the effectiveness of the product, tempting you into adding them to your laundry load of towels to make them extra soft and fluffy.
While it can make your clothes feel silky smooth, though, fabric softener is a no-go for towels. The oils in fabric softeners can coat towel fibers, reducing their absorbency and making them less effective at drying you off. Over time, this coating builds up, leaving your towels greasy and grimy.
Solution: Skip the Softener
For soft and fluffy towels, ditch the fabric softener. Instead, you can add a cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle. It’s a great way to soften towels naturally, without leaving any residue.
Taking care of your towels doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your laundry routine. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can keep your towels soft, fresh, and absorbent.
