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Too often, people use more laundry detergent than is needed and additives like fabric softener and dryer sheets.
According to The Laundry EvangelistPatric Richardson: These arent necessary.
Not only will they do more harm than good to towels, they can also shorten their lifespan.
Whats more, excessive detergent can leave towels dirtier, rather than cleaner, in the long term.
AsHamprlaundry expert Kate Hankstold Well+Good, it causes build-up between fibers which hold on dirt and bacteria.
professional cleaner and owner of Betty Likes to Clean
Biokleen, Free & Clear Laundry Detergent, 150 Fl.
Its also hypoallergenic and free of fragrances, dyes, and artificial brighteners.
As a bonus, its EPA SaferChoice certified and is cruelty free.
The concentrated formula means it’s possible for you to clean more towels with less laundry.
Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets
Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets like the plague, says Richardson.
Plus, that residue can contribute to odor retention and leave you with stinky towels.
In place of these additives, laundry experts recommend using distilled white vinegar.
Just a half-cup of vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser should do the trick.
Lucys, Natural Distilled White Vinegar, 128 Fl.
professional cleaner and owner of Betty Likes to Clean
Many reviewers have attested to using it for laundryand with great results.
I love putting this vinegar into my laundry, one Amazon reviewer proclaimed.
It is saving the fluffiness of my towels!
Instead, use color-safe bleach or oxygen bleach, which are safe to use on colorfast fabrics.
Richardson also says that baking soda can work to clean and brighten towels that have been stained.
(As a bonus, the natural deodorizer can also promise fresh-smelling towels.)
To use, simply add a quarter-cup of baking soda to the washing drum.
OxiClean, Odor Blasters Odor & Stain Remover Laundry Booster, 50 Fl.
The formula is chlorine-free and color-safe, only leaving behind a scent that many Amazon reviewers seem to love.
Got the mildew stink out of my towels in the first wash, wrote one satisfied Amazon shopper.
$7.00
If you want to avoid using bleach, try baking soda.
Multiple Amazon reviewers have reported that it successfully eliminates unwanted odors and lifts stains.
If youre using a washing machine, he also recommends choosing the 30-minute quick-wash or express cycle.
Once theyre clean, theyre clean, he says.
Theres just no reason to continue to abrade them.
(Think dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria.)
As forhow often to washhandtowels?
That will depend on whether theyre being shared among multiple people.
Should you wash brand-new towels?
You always want to wash brand-new towels before using them, says Richardson.
Manufacturers typically add chemicals that make them lookand feelsoft and fluffy in the store.
Easier still, it’s possible for you to simply reduce the amount of detergent you use.
Richardson recommends tumble-drying towels and removing them from the dryer as soon as theyre dryand not a minute longer.
What about air-drying towels?
If you want to keep towels fluffy when you wash them, there are three things to remember.
The first is to use a tiny amount of detergent, says Richardson.
(Ideally, youll want to use two tablespoons of detergent per load.)
The second is to avoid using fabric softeners and dryer sheets.
And lastly, according to Richardson?
Is it okay to wash towels with clothes?
The short answer is yes, says Richardson, for as long you dont use too much detergent.
Is it smart to wash towels in cold water?
Richardson prefers washing towels in warm water, though some manufacturers will require washing in only cold water.
With this in mind, its always best to wash towels according to the manufacturers care instructions.
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