How to Wash Towels | Keep Them Soft and Absorbent

Few things ruin a shower like a stiff, musty towel that refuses to soak up water. The culprit is almost always how the towel was washed and dried. Most towels suffer from three mistakes: too much detergent, fabric softener, and being pulled from the dryer while still damp. Fix those three things and your towels will feel like new for years.

Bath towels need washing more often than most people think. A damp, balled-up towel is a breeding ground for bacteria and mildew, which is why a towel can start smelling sour even before you wash it.

What Water Temperature Should You Use for Towels?

Warm water is the everyday workhorse for towel loads.

Hot water is reserved for specific situations, not routine loads. When towels have been used by someone who is ill, or when you’re dealing with heavy soil, stubborn odors, or suspected mildew, bump the temperature up to hot if the care label allows it. The CDC’s laundry guidance recommends using the warmest appropriate water setting for the fabric and drying items completely. For everyday loads, hot water simply isn’t necessary, and it can actually shorten the life of your towels by breaking down the fibers faster.

Always check the care label before choosing a setting. Some towels—particularly those with decorative trims, bamboo blends, or certain synthetic fibers—may require cooler water. When in doubt, warm water is the safe default.

Which Detergent and Cycle Work Best for Towels?

Use a normal or gentle cycle with a mild liquid detergent, and resist the urge to add extra. Excessive detergent leaves a residue that coats the fibers, making towels feel stiff and reducing their absorbency. A standard amount of a quality detergent is all you need—the towels aren’t that dirty, and they don’t need a heavy-duty dose.

Choose the cycle based on how soiled the towels are. Normal is fine for everyday loads, while a gentle or delicate cycle works better for thinner towels or those with embellishments. Whatever cycle you pick, don’t overload the machine. Towels need room to move freely in the water so detergent reaches every fiber and rinse water can flush it all away. A packed drum means towels come out less clean and less thoroughly rinsed.

Wash whites separately from colored towels to prevent dye transfer, and sort by color so darker towels don’t leave lint or dye on lighter ones. If you’re dealing with musty towels or want to strip away built-up residue, some people add a half-cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle, which helps break down detergent buildup naturally. Also, if you’re unsure which detergent to pick, our roundup of the best detergents for towels breaks down the top options and what makes each one work.

Should You Use Fabric Softener on Towels?

Never use fabric softener on towels. The waxy coating that makes towels feel soft also coats the cotton fibers and destroys their absorbency. Over time, it also builds up and makes towels feel less fluffy, not more. Dryer sheets have the same effect.

If you want softer towels without the softener, try switching to a liquid detergent—powders can leave more residue—and drying them thoroughly. For new towels, wash them before first use. Some manufacturers recommend pre-soaking new towels in cold water for 24 hours before their first wash, which helps set the dyes and improve absorbency.

How Should You Dry Towels?

Dry towels completely, every time. Still-damp towels invite mildew and that sour smell that’s so hard to remove. Use low to medium dryer heat, and pull the towels out promptly when the cycle ends.

If you line-dry, give towels enough time in the sun and air to dry fully before bringing them in. Shake them out before hanging to reduce stiffness. For the fluffiest results, toss a couple of clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls into the dryer—they break up the clumps of cotton as the towels tumble, which keeps them soft without any chemical coating.

That’s a strong sanitizing option for the rare load that needs it, not an everyday necessity.

The golden rule for towels: warm water, minimal detergent, no softener, and full drying. Follow that formula and your towels stay absorbent, soft, and fresh load after load, without the stiff crunch or mildew smell that plagues so many bathrooms.