Why you should always wash new towels before you use them

Although the allure of a newly unpacked bathroom towel may be tempting, don’t be fooled by its soft and seductive feel.

Even if it seems clean, bright and ready to use, it needs its own wash and dry first to ensure it does its job properly and lasts as long as it should.

According to Emily and Johnathan Attwood, founders of towel brand Scooms, it’s not just a nice thing to do. In fact, it’s essential you wash your towels before using them for the first time.

Why you should always wash new towels

Here's why its vital to wash your towels before you hang them in your bathroom

1. It removes finishing chemicals.

Some brands (not Scooms) use a finish on their towels, which gives them an extra sheen. These additives can include silicon, sodium hydroxide or other chemicals.

These additives can affect the absorbency, meaning they may not perform as well when you use them if they haven’t been washed first.

2. Washing increases freshness.

Your towels will have been woven in a factory before either being stored in a shop or packed and delivered to you.

A first wash will remove any hidden dust or particles that have collected in the fibres.

3. It stops shedding

It’s normal to get a few stray threads or cotton fibres on new towels. Washing will remove them, and save you from thinking your towel isn’t performing as well as it could.

4. It maximises absorbency

By washing your towels before use, you can improve the absorbency of the cotton.

The first wash will help the cotton fibres soak up and release water, improving the absorbency.

5. You’ll get fluffier towels

They may be a little flattened by their packaging so washing will help fluff the cotton fibres back up, so you have super plush towels from day one.

An older woman with short dark hair loads a towel into a washing machine from a wicker basket. — Image credit: Shutterstock/1st Footage

The experts at Christy agree, telling customers it’s really important to wash towels before their first use.

“New towels often contain excess lint and other fibres that can shed and cause irritation or discomfort,” says the company.

“By giving them a quick wash before using them, you can minimise the number of loose fibres – keeping your towels soft and ready to use.”

Be careful with fabric conditioner

Chrissie Rucker, founder of quiet luxury brand The White Company, reminds us that we should avoid using fabric conditioner on towels.

Although it makes fabrics softer, it does this by coating the fibres, which in turn reduces absorbency.

Using too much fabric conditioner is a common mistake that can also lead to the longer-term issue of stiff towels

Avoiding fabric conditioner will also reduce the amount of build-up in the dispenser drawer, too, meaning you won't need to need to clean your washing machine as often.

Written by: Sarah Harley

Since first picking up a paintbrush and experiencing the joy of re-decorating her bedroom in a questionable red, white and grey scheme as a young teenager, Sarah Harley was hooked on the world of interior design. This obsession even led to a real life ‘Grand Designs’ project in 2005 when she donned a pink hard hat and appeared on TV screens, project managing the renovation and extension of a Grade II listed 17th century Folly in South Wales.
Throughout her career, Sarah has gained an array of experience in several different roles, ranging from copywriting, PR, events management and photography to interior design and home staging.

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