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How to Wash & Care for Towels
Follow this simple Clorox guide to help keep your towels feeling, smelling and looking their freshest.
Why towels need special care
You may not notice it, but your towels absorb sweat, body oils, dead skin cells and dirt every day. Without proper cleaning, they can develop mildew smells and even harbor bacteria. This guide will show you how to wash, whiten and sanitize towels to keep them looking and smelling fresh.
How often to wash towels
Bath towels should be washed every three to four uses, while hand towels and kitchen towels may need cleaning daily or every other day. When you're sick, work out at the gym or live in a humid climate, it's a good idea to wash towels more frequently to prevent odor and bacteria buildup. Regular washing with Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach can help maintain hygiene and freshness.
What should I use to wash towels?
Mild detergent
Washing machine
Dryer or clothesline
How to wash towels in the washing machine
Start the wash
Load your washing machine with towels along with mild detergent as directed.
TipIf you have a High-Efficiency (HE) washer (either a front loader or top loader), make sure you are using an HE detergent.
Add bleach & wash
For white cotton sheets, add ½ Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach as directed for standard machines, or ¼ cup for HE machines.
Dry
Set your dryer to medium or high heat and dry.
Can you wash towels with clothes & sheets?
Technically yes, but it’s not ideal. Towels are heavier and require a longer, more intense wash cycle. Mixing them with lighter fabrics like clothes or sheets can lead to uneven cleaning and wear. For best results, wash towels separately, especially when using bleach or sanitizing products.
How to remove stains from white towels
Immediately blot the stain gently to absorb excess residue and pretreat with Clorox 2™ for Colors Bleach-Free Landry Stain & Odor Remover Liquid. Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric and add bleach as necessary. For makeup stains, follow our guide on how to get makeup out of white towels. For hair dye stains, see how to get hair dye out of towels.
Household ingredients to wash towels
Household ingredients like baking soda or vinegar may help with odor or softness, but they don’t disinfect or sanitize. For a deeper clean, Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach is the best choice.
| Cleaner | Notes | Disinfects? | Sanitizes? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach | Whitens, disinfects, removes 99.9% of germs* | Yes | Yes |
| Baking soda | Deodorizes and softens towels slightly | No | No |
| White vinegar | Helps with odor and some mineral buildup | No | No |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Can help whiten towels and reduce some bacteria | Partial | Partial |
| Essential oils | Adds scent, no cleaning power | No | No |
| Lemon juice | Mild brightening and deodorizing effect | No | No |
Tips for washing towels with bleach
- Use freshly mixed bleach solutions.
- Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaners.
- Wear gloves and ensure good ventilation.
- Check out our bleach dilution chart for exact ratios.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What temperature is best for washing towels?
Warm or hot water is best for washing towels. It helps break down body oils and kill bacteria. For white towels, hot water combined with Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach provides whitening and sanitization.
- How can I make my towels soft again after washing?
To restore softness, avoid fabric softeners. Washing with hot water and drying with dryer balls can help fluff them up.
- How to stop towels from shredding?
Towels may shred due to friction or poor-quality stitching. Wash them separately from clothes with zippers or hooks. Use gentle cycles for thinner towels and avoid over-drying. If shredding persists, inspect the towel’s edges and consider replacing older ones.
- Why do my towels have discolored stains after washing?
Discoloration can result from residual body oils, makeup or improper detergent use. If bleach was used on non-bleach-safe towels, it may cause yellowing. Always check the label and use Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach only on bleach-safe fabrics. For color-safe whitening, use Clorox 2™ for Colors.
- Can you use bleach on white cotton towels that say “do not bleach”?
No. If the label says “do not bleach,” avoid using Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach. Instead, use Clorox 2™ for Colors to sanitize and remove stains and brighten towels without damaging fibers. Always follow care instructions to preserve towel quality.
- How to sanitize and disinfect towels?
Use Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach for white towels. Add the recommended amount to your wash cycle and ensure proper contact time. Sanitizing regularly helps maintain freshness by reducing bacteria, odors and mildew stains.
- *
When used as directed