HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOWELS SOFT AND FLUFFY
TOP TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR TOWELS CLEAN AND WHITE
E veryone loves the feel of a brand new towel, but why is it that after a few washes, your beautiful, fluffy bath sheet now feels and looks like used sandpaper?
Getting them sparkling white and soft is, it seems, a secret that only five-star hotels and industry insiders know.
Aggie MacKenzie, cleaning expert and former head of the Good Housekeeping Institute, says:“ Don’ t use too much fabric conditioner. It builds up and towels become very stiff and feel rough, which also happens when you use too much detergent that isn’ t rinsed out properly.
You should always wash towels at more than 30c because they carry a heavy bacterial load. The optimum temperature is 40C with a biological detergent. It contains an enzyme that breaks down body secretions such as sweat, but it doesn’ t activate at low temperatures.
If you add a cap of white vinegar to the rinse cycle, it will disperse any remaining soap and give you a soft, fluffy towel.
Air drying is best if you have the space. If you put them on radiators, they end up as stiff as a board.
Washing towels every three uses is reasonable- if you’ re not sure, the sniff test always works!”
DO: Add white vinegar to the rinse. DON’ T: Radiator dry.
The Dorchester is one of London’ s best hotels. Executive housekeeper Sabah Smith says:“ Always buy good-quality towels- more than 500 grams per square metre, which refers to the towel’ s density.
The towels are more absorbent and longer-lasting. Thinner towels feel scratchy after a few washes.
We generally wash towels at 30c- higher temperatures harden the fabrics. We never wash with starch, as it roughens towels.
DO: Buy the highest quality you can afford. DON’ T: Use starch products.
LUXURY TOWEL MAKER Sheridan manufactures luxury Egyptian cotton towels, stocked at Debenhams and House of Fraser and in their dedicated Kings Road store. A spokesperson says:
“ For best results, we recommend a 40c gentle cycle. Never use bleach to clean your towels, as it will destroy the fibres.
Try not to overcrowd the washing machine, so there’ s plenty of water to soak and wash. Two bath sheets or three smaller towels a load is plenty.
We recommend a deep clean every few weeks, on a 40-60c
cycle to remove bacteria and oils.
We use a gentle eucalyptus-based washing detergent( eg. Eucalan) for superior colour retention so they look beautiful for longer. Avoid silicone-based fabric softeners and conditioners. They will repel water and reduce absorbency.”
DO: Use a stain remover. DON’ T: Crowd the machine.
INDUSTRY EXPERTS Vision Support provide top global hotel groups with luxury Turkish and Egyptian cotton towels. Spokesman Thomas Mulrooney says:“ The best temperature is between 40c and 60c- 40c ensures towels feel and look their best over a longer period, while removing most of the germs, but 60c will kill even more bacteria and potential mould.”
16 Housekeeping management