Useful life hacks on how to wash terry towels so they are soft and fluffy
After taking a bath or shower, it is always nice to wrap yourself in a soft terry towel. But over time it becomes tough.
There are ways to extend the life of products. It is worth familiarizing yourself with the rules for proper washing and drying of terry.
How to properly wash terry towels in a washing machine so that they are soft and fluffy; do you need to iron them after washing? Find answers to your questions in the article.
Content
Preparation for the process
Washing affects the durability and quality of the laundry, so you need to pay great attention to the process.
Recommendations for cleansing towels:
- Before immersion in the drum compartment, all products are shaken, the fluff will straighten out, and things will be washed better;
- You cannot wash terry towels together with clothes that have zippers, metal elements or fittings, as they will damage the products;
- Do not wash terry items together with bed linen;
- bleaching of terry is carried out only in extreme cases, when a yellow coating and stubborn stains have formed;
- You cannot use regular powder, but if you cannot do without it, then the product must be rinsed 2 times.
It is not recommended to load terry products together with clothes made from other materials.This is explained by the fact that it can be sewn from fabrics that differ greatly in their properties, so the cleaning requirements are also different.
Washable in a washing machine
In any case, you need to read the tag before washing. It contains information about proper care, acceptable temperature conditions, and ironing.
In what mode, at what temperature?
The shortest time period is chosen, the revolutions should not exceed 400. The “water saving” mode should not be used, because the more thoroughly the towel is rinsed, the softer it will become. The drum is loaded to 2/3 of the volume.
Terry products should be washed at a temperature of 40°C. For severe pollution, is it possible to set the mode to 60?.
Selecting a detergent
Towels become stiff after washing in water with various impurities. This is indicated by a gray coating on the fabric.
To prevent negative consequences, you need to use air conditioning, increase the number of rinses. If you save water, you can damage the terry.
At washing towels Powder cannot be used. The effectiveness of detergents directly depends on their composition. To ensure the softness of the product, powder formulations are replaced with liquid products. Gel preparations can remove grains from the pile.
Can be used:
- balms,
- rinse aids,
- air conditioners.
Don't trust everything that's on the label.The manufacturer writes the maximum dosage that is safe. Experts advise measuring ? less. This way the effect will be good and the product will last for a long time.
Softening water at home
The most important condition for keeping products soft and gentle is washing in soft water. Most apartments have bad, hard water.
It needs to be softened, this is done in one of the following ways:
- Installing a filter on pipes. This is the most effective way to combat hard water. The filter will rid it of lime, rust, scale, and sand. All substances settle on the towel, making it rough.
- Using Vinegar. 100 ml of acid is poured into the conditioner compartment. The solution will soften the water and remove odors from things.
- Using extra salt. It is fine and dissolves better in water. If possible, you can buy special salt for the machine. At the same time, washing gel and a solution of 3 tbsp are poured into the compartment. l. salt and 50 ml water.
- Soda. Use calcined or food grade. They soften water equally well. 5 tbsp. l. poured directly into the drum.
- Soda with vinegar. A mixture of soda and acid will give a good effect. Half a glass of table vinegar is poured into the compartment, 100 g of soda is immersed in the drum. Then add detergent and set to delicate mode. This method will not only soften the water, but also whiten things perfectly.
Correct spin
To maintain the softness of terry items, you need to select a spin mode no higher than 400 rpm. Ideally, it will be 300-350 rpm.
If the house is easy to dry, it is recommended to set the wool setting.Hand spinning will leave your towels soft and fluffy.
Handwash
Hand washing is preferable to machine processing as terry requires delicate handling. Some people think that when washed by hand, the product suffers, but in fact this is not the case.
Sequencing:
- First, the towel is immersed in a basin with warm water and product and left for 40 minutes.
- When soaking, do not use powder. Take a special liquid product and pour it. If desired, you can use laundry soap.
- To provide additional softening of the products, add 2 tablespoons of salt to the soap solution and mix.
- The soap mixture penetrates deep into the fibers, so the towel is rinsed at least 3 times.
When cleaning terry items with your hands, it is strictly forbidden to wrinkle them, tug at them, or twist them tightly during spinning. All mechanical manipulations can negatively affect the towel. Movements should be light and smooth.
How to dry, how to prevent odor?
To make towels soft, you need to dry them properly. Before hanging, the product is shaken to straighten the fibers. If possible, it is better to hang it outside; terry does not tolerate dry, stale air. Do not over-dry your laundry, otherwise it will become hard and uncomfortable..
Another reason for the appearance of odors is the accumulation of bacteria from the human body. They stick to the fibers and emit a bad odor. To avoid unpleasant moments, it is recommended to change the towel frequently, every 3-4 days.
If there is no dryer, the product is hung on a rope. The main thing is to ensure that things have access to oxygen from all sides. When drying in an apartment, you need to open the window.
What to do if the product becomes hard?
If the product has lost its former softness and fluffiness, there is no need to rush to get rid of it. It can be restored by first soaking the item in salted water and then washing it.
Sequencing:
- 5 liters of water are poured into a basin, 2 tbsp. l. salt and stir;
- A terry towel is immersed in the solution and left for 45 minutes;
- then wash on a delicate cycle using gel.
General recommendations boil down to using natural water softeners and setting gentle wash cycles.
Do I need to iron it and how?
As for ironing, choose the steam mode. Alignment of the product must be carried out in a suspended state, releasing steam. This will prevent stiffness from occurring. As a result, the towel will become fluffy and softer.
The regular program cannot be used. Pressure and hot sole will crush the terry fibers.
Tips and prohibitions
To lift the pile, use special balls. If you don't have them, you can take tennis balls. Spinning with the drum, they bounce off the walls and hit the fabric. The fibers of the terry product will not be crushed.
Some tips for restoring softness and fluffiness to stiff textiles:
- Soak in warm water and leave overnight. During this time, the remaining washing gel will dissolve; in the morning you need to rinse the towel and dry it.
- Wash with sea salt.You need to take 1 tablespoon per 2.5 kg of laundry.
- Wash in a solution with laundry soap. This method will restore freshness, softness and airiness to towels.
A bar of soap is grated on a coarse grater and a handful is dissolved in warm water. Immerse the product and leave for 1 hour. Rinse in vinegar solution.
Soaking a terry towel in snow is a great way to restore softness. They collect snow in a bucket, put the product in it and leave it for a couple of hours. Then you need to wash and dry properly.
Video on the topic
This video presents 12 life hacks for softening terry towels:
Conclusion
By following simple rules and recommendations, terry products will last a long time, and the villi will remain raised and soft.
Drying is carried out outdoors or in the house, but ensuring air access. Ironing with a hot iron is contraindicated, only vertical steaming.