Why a towel has to be able to empty itself
Short answer: A towel absorbs water, but it also has to be able to release it again. If it cannot dry between uses, moisture builds up and the smell arrives. A good towel is about both taking in and giving back water.
Absorbing is only half the job
The loops in terry give a large surface that draws water from the skin. If the loops are still full the next time, the towel cannot take up more. A towel that feels wet and heavy at the first wipe has usually not dried after the last use. See bamboo towels.
Drying is the other half
Hung folded over a hook, a towel dries only on the outside while the inner layers hold moisture. Hung open on a rail with air around it, the whole surface dries in a few hours. It takes only space and a little airflow, and it is the easiest way to keep a towel fresh between washes.
That is why towels smell before other laundry
They are constantly damp and usually hang in a warm room like the bathroom. Those are some of the best conditions bacteria can get. Skin also leaves a little oil in the terry, so bacteria have moisture, food and warmth. For soft clothes at home, see night pants for men and home and homewear in bamboo.
The bathroom makes it harder
A small bathroom with no window or extractor holds the steam after a shower. The towel dries slowly because the air is already full of moisture. Open a door or window after bathing and hang the towel where air can move, so it gives up moisture instead of taking it in from the room.
How often to wash it
If the towel dries fully between uses, it can be used three or four times before washing. If it hangs damp for long, wash it more often. Smell is a good signal: if you can notice it, the towel is no longer fresh, and it is time to wash, however many times it has been used.
How to wash a towel
Wash the towel following the care label and do not fill the machine completely, so water can rinse through the terry. Use a normal amount of detergent, not more, since residue in the loops makes them stiff. Dry the towel fully before putting it on the shelf, so no moisture is left to smell in the cupboard.
Why a new towel absorbs poorly
New towels often still carry traces of finishing from production in the fabric. It lays a thin film around the loops and slows absorption. After a few washes the residue disappears, and the towel absorbs as it should, even in daily use. A new towel simply needs some washes before you judge it.
Fabric softener and terry
Fabric softener feels soft, but it leaves a film on the loops and reduces absorbency. A towel that feels soft but dries poorly has often had too much of it. Skip the softener, let the towel dry fully instead, and shake it lightly before hanging so the loops stand up again.
Storage between uses
Hang the towel so it touches neither the wall nor another towel. Two towels on top of each other dry slowly because air cannot get between them. If each person has a separate hook or rail, each surface dries faster, and the towels stay fresh longer without any extra time or equipment.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a towel be washed
After three or four uses, if it dries fully in between. If it hangs damp or smells, wash it sooner, however many times it has been used.
Why does a new towel absorb poorly
Because traces of finishing remain in the fabric. They disappear after a few washes, and then the towel absorbs better, with nothing more to do than wash it.
Does fabric softener help
No. It leaves a film on the loops and reduces absorbency. Softener does not improve a towel, so it is better to let it dry fully and hang it spread out.
