The ‘optimum temperature' to wash towels to get rid of germs and leave them super soft – and it's NOT 60 degrees

The Sun

2 days ago

IF you want to ensure you are washing your towels at the right temperature to not only banish germs, but to also leave them feeling super soft, then you've come to the right place.
While many of us will wash our towels at 60 degrees, it turns out that if you want to avoid 'crunchy' results, you'll need to lower the temperature.
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Tom Drake, a DIY expert at Only Radiators, has shared his top laundry tips to keep towels 'soft' and 'fresh."
Not only this, but he also revealed the "optimum temperature' for best results.
Tom explained: 'Towels can feel hard and stiff due to the build up of soap and detergent which causes a less absorbent layer on your towels.
'You may think that a lot of fabric softener and a hot wash will keep your towels fresh, but this can actually have the opposite effect.'
Instead, Tom stressed the importance of reducing the temperature when washing towels, which will make a huge difference to how long they last.
He advised: 'You may think that hotter temperatures are better for cleaning clothes, but for towels the optimum temperature is between 30C to 40C.
'Warm water absorbs detergent better, in turn leaving less chemical child up on your towels, which makes them feel stiff.'
As a result, the pro acknowledged: 'Although washing your towels at higher temperatures is the most efficient way to get rid of germs, 30C or 40C will still eliminate most of your bacteria and preserve your towel's fibres.'
This can also be applied when washing bedding too, but always make sure to check the label to avoid damage.
Not only this, but if you want to put the softness back into your laundry, Tom shared a simple and very cost-effective hack.
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'Fabric softener will coat the fibres of the towel and build up over time which causes towels to feel hard and become less absorbent.
'Soften with towels in a load of just white vinegar once every few weeks to remove the soapy residue that causes your towels to feel hard.
Laundry tips
Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol shared her laundry tips.
How often should you be remaking your bed?
When it comes to your bed, maintaining a hygienic sleep setup can actually improve your sleep quality, helping you start every day better.
Most people shed 500 million skin cells per day and a lot of that ends up in bed for dust mites to feed on. And those with asthma or allergies might see symptoms worsen by sleeping on dirty sheets!
You want to be washing your sheets once a week - or every 10 days if you don't suffer from allergies and wear nightclothes. Bedding builds up with sweat, skin cells and oils quickly, even if it doesn't look dirty.
Using an effective detergent like smol's will still give you a great clean on a 20°C cycle - that's better for the planet and your energy bills!
What temperature do smol recommend then?
For your regular weekly washes I recommend washing most loads at 20°C for 30 minutes. It's gentler on fabrics, slashes energy use, and still delivers excellent stain removal with the right detergent. A colder wash can actually be more effective if you opt for a bio detergent as its enzymes need cooler water; too hot and they lose their ability to digest stains. A wash at 60°c (unless you have silk sheets) every now and again can help kill off dust mites and other nasties.
What's the difference between bio and non-bio detergent?
Bio detergents contain enzymes, which are especially good at breaking down tough stains like food, grass, or sweat. It's best used in mid to low temperature washes (ideally between 20-40°C) as anything hotter can cause them not to work effectively.
Non-bio skips the enzymes, which in turn makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Although non-bio doesn't contain enzymes, it's still great at removing stains and keeping your clothes clean, you just may need to use a slightly higher temperature setting to aid with the cleaning process.
"One cup of white vinegar will be enough for this process,' he noted.
As well as avoiding fabric softener, Tom recognised the importance of ditching tumble dryers to dry towels.
He recognised that due to the hot heat within the appliance, towels may end up turning stiff and crunchy, as he continued: 'Line drying is the most environmentally friendly way to dry towels.'
He also shared a two-second trick to ensure your towels stay fluffy for longer.
'If you're drying them this way, you should shake the towels once they've dried to fluff them up," Tom recommended.