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