There is nothing cozier than a freshly warmed towel right after your shower. But there is something that can kill that wonderful vibe…. thinking about how gross our towels really are. They are the item that we rub all of our dirt, grime, soap, products etc. on and normally we don’t do much extra to clean them. And unfortunately the grossest of all of that is why we really gotta have to clean them – towels can harvest bacteria. And the last thing any of us want is rubbing built up bacteria all over ourselves *insert vomit emoji*.
Your towels also suck up all of your fabric softener which actually weakens and strips the towels out of their intended materials so you wanna get those off. And the built up shower products can not only get gross but also create a nasty smell that regular washing won’t be able to tackle.
So today we are going to talk about how to really deep clean your towels to make sure they are totally safe and sanitized for you and your family! And we aren’t going to do anything too crazy, just a good old fashioned deep clean that anyone can handle doing 🙂 so let’s get into it-
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How to REALLY deep clean towels!
My best tips for getting your towels back to new:
Signs Your Towels Need a Deep Clean:
If you’re not sure your towels need the full spa treatment, here are a few signs:
- They smell a little funky, even right after washing!!
- They don’t feel absorbent anymore – water still on you after wiping with the towel? Probably because there’s so much built up you aren’t even touching much fabric.
- They feel stiff, crunchy, or heavy aka the most obvious reasons.
- You’ve been using fabric softener (whoops! fabric softener actually builds up on your towels and even can increase bacteria risk as a result. I generally advice not using fabric softener especially if anyone in your home has sensitive skin).
- They’re holding onto lint or residue visibly. This includes “pilling” parts of the fabric off.
- They’ve been forgotten in the washer more than once (guilty over here guys, sometimes for a day…we’re all human).
If you nodded at more than one of those, don’t worry. A good deep clean can help with all of it.
Now we’re going to chat about the two different techniques that I think are the best!!
Technique one: The Two-Ingredient Deep Clean Method
You might’ve seen the towel deep cleaning method online that involves vinegar and baking soda guys and the hype is real. These two household heroes work together to strip away everything that’s gunking up your towels.
Here’s the step-by-step:
What You’ll Need:
- White vinegar (not apple cider, not this time)
- Baking soda
- Hot water
- Optional: an extra rinse cycle and good vibes 😉
Step 1: Wash with Vinegar
- Load your towels into the washing machine. Don’t overstuff though, give them room to swirl around.
- Set your machine to the hottest setting (seriously, as hot as it’ll go).
- Add 1 cup of white vinegar directly into the drum. No detergent, no softener!! just vinegar.
- Run a full wash cycle with an extra rinse if your machine has that option.
Vinegar breaks down residue and kills bacteria. It’s like a reset button for your towel fibers!
Step 2: Wash Again with Baking Soda
- Leave the same towels in the machine (or toss them back in if you took them out).
- Add ½ cup of baking soda to the drum (not the detergent drawer).
- Run another full hot cycle with an extra rinse if you can.
Baking soda neutralizes odors, softens fabrics, and lifts even more grime.
Step 3: Dry Them the Right Way
Skip the dryer sheets. They coat the towels just like softener does. If you want to boost fluffiness, toss in a couple of wool dryer balls (my preferred method!) or even clean tennis balls.
Shake out each towel before putting it in the dryer. This helps them fluff up!
Dry on medium or low heat—high heat can damage fibers and make them feel rough.
Technique two: The Soak + Strip Technique
If you want to get really intense (think: you haven’t deep cleaned these babies in years), you can do a towel strip soak in your tub or a large bucket.
What you’ll need:
- ½ cup powdered detergent
- Hot water
- ¼ cup borax
- ¼ cup washing soda (different from baking soda!)
How to do it:
- Fill your bathtub or large bin with hot water.
- Add the stripping ingredients and stir until dissolved.
- Add clean towels (already washed).
- Let them soak for 4–6 hours (yes, really). Stir occasionally.
- Watch in awe/disgust as the water turns gray or brown. It’s… satisfying.
- Rinse and rewash the towels in a normal hot cycle (no detergent).
- Dry as usual.
This is a once-in-a-while mega-clean—maybe every 6 months or when things get out of hand.
Tips to Keep Your Towels Clean Between Deep Cleans
Now that your towels are sparkling, here’s how to keep them fresh for extended times!!
1. Avoid Fabric Softener
It feels counterintuitive, but it clogs up the fibers and makes your towels less absorbent. Hard pass.
2. Use Less Detergent
More soap doesn’t mean cleaner towels. In fact, excess detergent causes buildup. Stick to the recommended amount—or even slightly less.
3. Wash Towels Separately
Towels need space to move in the washer, especially if they’re large or plush. Washing them with jeans or blankets? Not ideal.
4. Hang Towels to Dry Between Uses
Don’t leave them in a crumpled pile on the floor. A damp towel in a heap = bacteria city.
5. Wash Every 3–4 Uses
If they’re body towels, aim for a wash every 3–4 uses. Hand towels and gym towels? More often ya know for grossness reasons.
6. Keep That Hot Water Flowing
Washing towels in cold water isn’t ideal. Go warm or hot to properly break down oils and residue.
FAQ: You Asked, I Answer!
Q: Can I deep clean colored towels?
Yes! Assuming that you are meaning non-naturally dyed fabric but yep! Just make sure you’re using color-safe vinegar and avoid super hot water if you’re worried about fading.
Q: What if my towels still smell after washing?
Run another hot vinegar cycle, or try drying them outside in the sun—the UV rays help kill odor-causing bacteria.
Q: Can I do this with microfiber or decorative towels?
Nope. This method is best for bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths made of cotton or cotton-blends. Microfiber and delicate towels need gentler care.
Q: How often should I deep clean towels?
Aim for every 1–2 months depending on how heavily they’re used. If you’ve got a big household or use them daily, go monthly!
And that is all for now my friends! I hope this was helpful giving you tips and tricks for deep cleaning your towels so you can bring them back to life and freshness and quit rubbing bacteria on you!
Korra-Shay
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