Want your towels to stay soft, absorbent, and luxurious for years? Discover the best way to wash, dry, and care for your towels — including tips for Turkish cotton towels and what to do if your towels aren’t as absorbent as they should be.

How to wash towels properly

Learning how to wash towels correctly makes all the difference.

Wash towels before first use
This helps open up the fibres of your new towel and boosts absorbency right from the start.

Use minimal detergent and avoid fabric softener
Too much detergent can leave residue that makes towels feel stiff. And while fabric softener might sound tempting, it actually coats the fibres and reduces towel absorbency.

Choose warm to hot water for washing towels
Warm/hot water helps remove body oils and soap build-up without damaging the cotton fibres.

Give towels room in the washing machine
Overloading the machine prevents proper rinsing. Washing towels separately helps avoid lint transfer and pilling.

Line drying or low-heat tumble drying is best
If possible, air-dry towels in the sun — it’s natural and keeps them fresh. If using a dryer, stick to a low heat to protect the fibres.

✨ What to do if your towel is pilling

If your towel is pilling, it’s often due to friction from zippers, Velcro, or over-agitation during washing.

• Gently remove pills using a fabric shaver or lint remover.
• Wash towels separately from clothing.
• Choose a gentle cycle and mild detergent.

Why is my towel not absorbent — and how can I fix it?

If your towel isn’t absorbing water, it could be due to leftover manufacturing finishes or detergent/fabric softener build-up.

• Wash your towel a few times without fabric softener. Use hot water.
• Add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle — this helps break down residue and restore absorbency.

Over time, your towel should become more absorbent, especially if it’s made from high-quality Turkish cotton.

The history and benefits of Turkish cotton towels

Turkish towels have a rich history dating back to the 17th century when they were used in traditional hammams (bathhouses).

Why choose Turkish cotton towels?

• Turkish cotton has extra-long fibres that create smoother, stronger, and more durable towels.

• Towels made from Turkish cotton get softer and more absorbent over time.

• They offer the perfect balance between absorbency and quick drying, making them ideal for everyday use.

🌿 The bottom line: How to care for your towel

Caring for your towel doesn’t take much — just a few small habits can keep your towel soft, fluffy, and absorbent for years.

• Wash in warm water with minimal detergent.
• Skip the fabric softener.
• Dry in fresh air or use low heat in the dryer.
• Tackle pilling and absorbency issues with simple fixes.

Explore our cotton bath towel collection - designed for lasting quality & everyday luxury.