How to Wash White Towels and Keep Them Bright, Soft, and Fluffy

J C

Why Proper Towel Care Matters

White towels look luxurious and feel fresh—especially when they’re personalised embroidered towels from Threads On Kiwi. But without the right care, they can turn dull, stiff, or grey over time.
Here’s your complete guide on how to wash white towels so they stay soft, absorbent, and beautifully bright for years.

1. Sort and Prepare Before Washing

Before every wash, separate white towels from coloured ones. This prevents dye transfer that can dull your whites.

  • Check for stains, makeup marks, or sunscreen residue.
  • Inspect embroidery threads—especially if you have custom name towels from Threads On Kiwi.
  • Pre-treat visible stains before putting towels in the machine.

Pro Tip: Always wash embroidered towels separately from heavy garments like jeans or zippers to avoid snagging.


2. Use the Right Detergent and Temperature

For washing white towels, choose:

  • Warm water to remove oil and dirt effectively without shrinking fibres.
  • A mild or eco-friendly detergent that protects cotton fibres and embroidery threads.
  • Avoid chlorine bleach; instead use oxygen-based bleach or baking soda for brightening.

Bonus: Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle once a month—it helps remove detergent build-up and keeps towels soft.


3. Don’t Overload the Washing Machine

White towels need room to move freely so detergent can rinse out properly. Overloading can lead to stiff, musty-smelling towels.

  • Use medium spin speed to remove water efficiently.
  • Shake out each towel before drying to restore the natural fluff.

4. Drying for Softness and Longevity

Proper drying is key to keeping towels fresh and fluffy.

  • Tumble dry on low to medium heat. High heat can weaken fibres and embroidery.
  • If air-drying, hang in indirect sunlight and make sure towels are fully dry before folding.

Quick Tip: Toss a few wool dryer balls into the dryer to reduce static and boost fluffiness.


5. How to Keep White Towels White

White towels can lose brightness over time—but you can easily fix that.

  • Wash whites separately every time.
  • Avoid fabric softeners; they reduce absorbency.
  • Refresh dull whites by washing with baking soda and vinegar once a month.
  • Rotate towel sets to ensure even wear.

6. Special Care for Embroidered Towels

Your personalised embroidered towels deserve extra care:

  • Turn the embroidered side inward when washing.
  • Use a gentle cycle to avoid pulling threads.
  • Never bleach embroidered areas.
  • Iron carefully on the reverse side if needed.

With these tips, your custom embroidered towels from Threads On Kiwi will stay pristine and vibrant wash after wash.


7. Common Towel Washing Mistakes (and Fixes)

Problem Cause Fix
Towels feel rough Too much detergent or fabric softener Rinse with vinegar
Towels smell musty Not fully dry Rewash and dry completely
Whites turn grey Mixed loads or residue Wash with baking soda and warm water
Embroidery fades High heat or bleach Use gentle detergent and low heat

8. Final Thoughts

Keeping your white towels bright, soft, and fresh is easy when you know the right steps.
At Threads On Kiwi, we create high-quality, personalised embroidered towels that are made to last — and with the right care, they’ll stay beautiful for years to come.

Explore our collection of custom name embroidered towels and make every bathroom moment a touch more personal.

👉 Shop Embroidered Towels at Threads On Kiwi

Back to blog