Caring for bamboo towels so they keep absorbing
Short answer: Bamboo towels last best if you wash them gently by the label, use a mild detergent and little fabric softener, and dry them completely before you fold them. That way they keep absorbing and feel soft, instead of getting a film on the surface.
Wash new towels first
New towels can contain loose fibres and may absorb less well until they have been washed a few times. Wash them once or twice before you use them, and preferably wash them alone, so that lint does not settle on other clothes and they are ready to absorb. You can also run an empty rinse if you want to be sure that all lint has been rinsed out.
A mild detergent in the right amount
Use a mild detergent in the amount printed on the pack, because too much can settle in the fibres and make the towel less absorbent. You can look at bamboo towels and remember that a clean towel is one with no residue left after washing and rinsing.
Avoid too much fabric softener
Fabric softener can leave a film on the surface, so the towel feels soft but absorbs less well. Use it sparingly or leave it out, and try an extra rinse without product if your towel feels smooth but does not dry you properly when you get out of the bath.
Follow the label for heat
The label says how hot you may wash, and that is what you should follow for viscose from bamboo. Choose a gentle programme and a temperature that suits the towel, and avoid a hard spin, so that the loops are not pulled out of shape or flattened.
Do not overfill the drum
Towels take up a lot of space when wet, so do not fill the drum more than about three quarters. Water and detergent must be able to reach all the way round, and the towels must be able to move, so that they get clean and are rinsed well.
Dry them completely
Hang the towels to dry with space around them, so that air can reach them and they do not end up smelling damp. If they may go in the dryer, choose low heat and a gentle programme, and take them out while they are still slightly damp, so that you avoid drying them hard.
Keep the loops intact
Avoid washing towels with clothes that have zips, hooks and Velcro, which can catch in the loops and pull threads out. If a thread does appear, cut it off instead of pulling it, so that the rest of the fabric is not damaged.
Change and keep several
Let the towel dry between uses and change regularly, so that it always feels fresh. If you have several, you can rotate them so that each wears evenly, and you can look after them with bamboo bedding and a women's Bamboo Pajama Shirt in the same calm routine.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my towel absorb badly?
It is often because of too much detergent or fabric softener that has left a film in the fibres, or because the towel is new. Try an extra rinse without product and wash gently.
Should I use fabric softener on bamboo towels?
It is rarely necessary, and too much can make the towel less absorbent. Use it sparingly or leave it out, and follow the label.
Can bamboo towels go in the tumble dryer?
Only if the label allows it. Choose low heat and take them out while they are still slightly damp, so that they are not dried hard.
