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GIFT IDEAS FOR MASSAGE THERAPISTS
GIFT IDEAS FOR MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Stack of freshly laundered white spa towels

The Best Way to Wash Spa Towels to Keep Them Smelling Fresh

There’s nothing quite like a batch of fresh towels emerging warm from the dryer. The warmth and agitation of the laundry fluffs them up and loosens their renewed fibres. But after long-term usage, all towels tend to flatten, stiffen, and lose their initial charm. They can also develop an odour that is less than pleasant.

If you notice your spa towels seem to need refreshing, then it’s time to bring in some natural defence systems. This could include vinegar, baking soda, and more.

Read on to see some easy ways you can refresh your spa towels (and facial towels) whether they are suitable for commercial washing or not. And don’t forget about maintenance tips as well.

Some Rules to Follow When Washing Towels

If you have been washing your spa towels without putting some special care into them, then you need to start paying more attention. Follow the rules laid out below and your towels should come out smelling fresh and welcoming.

Wash Your White Towels Separate from All other Towels and Clothes

White spa towels need to be washed on hot, separate from all darker shades of towels (which can be washed on warm). For the best results and longevity, they need to be separated from all other items of clothing. This will keep the white towels looking as pristine as possible over their years of use.

Even if it’s a bit more work, separate your white spa towels from darker hand towels, or facial towels. This way your towels can get the full benefit of the wash.

Washing Towels with Vinegar

If towels of any colour begin to smell of mildew, try washing towels with vinegar. Add one half to one full cup of regular white vinegar to the drum of the washing machine without any detergent or bleach. This should completely neutralize any odours. Vinegar has the added benefit that it fixes colour in non-white fabrics, and it also removes any detergent residue.

Seriously: Vinegar and bleach DO NOT MIX. Mixing the two can produce dangerous chemical reactions, so they must never even be at risk of mixing.

An alternative would be to add half a cup of baking soda into the drum of the washing machine without detergent or bleach (or vinegar!) and run them through the wash that way. That should also neutralize any odours, and may be safer by simply not introducing vinegar into the laundry area.

Yoga and gym towels may end up smelling of sweat. Both of the above methods should solve this problem.

Don't Use Too Much Detergent (Half the Amount is Fine)

One of the reasons that towels age prematurely by becoming flat or stiff is exposure to excess detergent. When washing spa towels, aim to use only half the amount of detergent you normally use for other laundry items.

Try Laundry Stripping

Laundry stripping is a new trend that has recently been growing in popularity. Over time, your towels (and bedsheets) tend to lose their cleanliness and freshness because they accumulate all kinds of residues.

Use the method of laundry stripping where you soak the towels in hot water with a borax solution. This will remove those organic residues.

Laundry detergent residues, fabric softeners, minerals from hard waters, and body oils all accumulate on the towels. And these can all be stripped away using the borax solution.

Remember Wash Ratios - Don't Overload Your Washing Machine

You might also overload your washing machine because you have lots of towels to wash and not enough machines to work with. While it may seem convenient, it's actually quite counterproductive.

Washing machines are designed to perform their best without being overloaded. A front load washer can handle 7 bath towels at most, which is a 13 pound load. And a top-loader can handle 9 to 11 bath towels which is a 15 to 18 pound load.

Shake Towels Out Before They Go in the Dryer

In most washers, the spin cycle can compress towels (and other fabric), squashing them together, and flattening them out. Giving freshly washed towels a good shake when they come out of the washer allows the fibres to recover from the spin cycle. It also loosens up any that have balled up during the wash. This will make the dryer cycle more efficient.

Go Easy on the Heat

Although all dryers are different, most tend to default to a very high temperature setting. Excess heat can cause the microfibers of the towel to lose their softness and wear them out, especially if they are 100% cotton. Aim to use the medium heat setting to dry your towels, be it yoga towels or face towels.

If possible, air dry towels by hanging them on a line in fresh air and sunlight. This is often faster than in the dryer, it helps to sanitize them, and it's completely free. It's even better for the environment.

Always Dry Your Towels Completely Before Putting Them Away

All laundry items should be completely dry before they are folded, rolled, or stored away. This is specially true for luxurious items like spa towels. Moisture in stored fabrics can produce mildew, and that defeats the purpose.

Some Final Maintenance Tips for Fresh and Fluffy Towels

It seems like maintaining spa towels at their maximum freshness and whiteness takes a bit of work. Here are some final tips to keep in mind:

  • Whenever you buy new towels, wash them before using them, to rinse off the silicone finish that coats most towels
  • Avoid using fabric softener too often. Every 3 to 4 wash cycles is enough, as it could reduce their absorbency
  • Don’t iron towels – the heat can damage the fibres, making them stiffer and less fluffy

With these tips in mind, you are ready to maintain the freshness of your towels for a long time to come. Good care and maintenance can increase the longevity of spa towels. It’s well worth the effort.

Spa Towels Need Extra Care to Stay Fresh and Fluffy

Spa towels are worth the extra care they need because it’s such a refreshing and delightful thing to dry yourself off after a hot shower with a fresh and fluffy towel. It has to be one of the simplest and greatest pleasures of modern life.

Interested in purchasing high-quality spa and massage towels? Check out the collection offered by Body Best.

 

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