Unlocking the secret to soft, hotel-like towels with three simple steps

A towel is a personal hygiene item. We use it to dry our body after a bath. Every day, towels collect water and dead skin cells, which is a real haven for bacteria. Specialists recommend using them for no more than three days. After this time, each towel should be washed. Unfortunately, frequent towel washing affects their softness.

After a few washes, towels become rough and unpleasant to the touch. How can towels be washed so they are soft and fluffy? Follow these three simple rules, and the fabric will retain its softness for a long time.

"Freshly washed towels contain 190,000 bacteria, which number increases to 17 million after just one use," informs the portal express.co.uk. Most of these bacteria settle on the skin, which can cause serious skin diseases, such as fungal infections or bacterial folliculitis.

How should towels be washed to get rid of bacteria? At the highest possible temperature, which is at least 60°C (rounding to 140°F). Ordinary laundry detergent may not be able to handle the bacteria, so it's also worth stocking up on a special antibacterial liquid, which you can buy from most chemists. Such washed towels will be clean and hygienic; however, after a few washes, they may lose their softness and fluffiness.

Do you dream of clean, fragrant, and soft towels like those in a hotel? Follow the advice of Allen Civlak, a laundry expert and the CEO of the British brand Mary's Kitchen Flour Sack Towels.

How to wash towels so they are soft and fluffy?

• Wash towels at the highest possible temperature. If you use a tumble dryer, dry them at a medium temperature, ensuring the cotton doesn't lose its softness.
• Once a month, douse towels with 2 litres of hot vinegar, removing the bacteria and restoring the fabric's softness. After boiling, wash them into the washing machine as usual.
• Use a small amount of detergent. Powder leaves a residue on towels, making them rough and less absorbent. Liquid laundry detergent will be the best solution.
• Avoid fabric softener! Softeners "coat the fabric," making towels rough and stiff. Replace it with white vinegar and add a few drops of your favourite essential oil. After drying, the smell of vinegar will no longer be noticeable. Where should vinegar be poured into the washing machine? Into the compartment designated for fabric softener.

Source: Express.co.uk.