Towels we use to dry ourselves after showering understandably absorb a lot of water and remain damp for many hours, creating the perfect breeding ground for germs. This is why there’s often a debate about how frequently we should wash our towels.
While experts typically recommend cleaning our towels after three uses, research from Showers to You suggests that nearly two million Brits only wash their towels once a year. However, it’s not just the frequency of washing that determines towel cleanliness.
A washing machine expert has pointed out a common error many make which leaves towels still dirty and even risks damaging the machine. An Appliance Service Repair worker, known as @ezywashingmachinerepair on TikTok, shared a tip that ensures towels come out cleaner and helps your machine “last longer”.
He advised: “Always when you load up a front loader, you never put one towel in it.” For 7-8kg washing machines, he recommends putting in “minimum three”, but ideally “four to five towels”. If you’re washing three towels, you can also add “about four small hand towels”.
Additionally, when washing towels, you should use less detergent than for clothes. “Towels will always over-sud. With sheets, towels, always put less detergent”.
The expert has highlighted a common issue that people face with their laundry, stating that many come to him frustrated because their towels aren’t coming out clean. The key piece of advice given was about overloading the machine: “They’re not going to wash, you’re going to break your machine,” he cautioned.
To achieve cleaner results and protect the washing machine, it’s recommended to use less detergent and fewer towels per wash, ensuring that “machine will be happy, your towels will be washed properly”. On top of this efficient method, the expert suggested using “white vinegar in there to get them soft”.
CEO of Laundryheap, Deyan Dimitov, suggests an exact measurement for this hack – add 250ml of white vinegar into the drum alongside the usual liquid detergent. This tip has garnered positive reactions across social media platforms, with numerous individuals praising the outcome of using vinegar.
One user remarked: “I’ve started using vinegar in my washing and oh my gosh does it make a difference? I love it so much better.”
Another concurred: “Vinegar is the best for towel. No mildew smell and they dry the body so much better then without.”
A third individual mentioned: “Vinegar never fails me. I am also saving because I do not buy fabric softener at all and I am also saving my clothing, linen and towels.”