Your towels go through a lot. Even the most cared about towels have a hard life.
All that dirt, friction, soap, etc. can really give your Turkish cotton a beating. Not to mention regular exposure to oil and soil. It can really wear a towel down.
Luckily, we’re here to help you learn how to care for your Turkish towels. Because they are such luxurious items, they require some special care.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about caring for and washing your Turkish cotton.
What Is Turkish Cotton?
Turkish cotton is unique and sought after because it’s so soft, fluffy, and absorbent. And, what’s even cooler, is that it becomes softer, fluffier, and even more absorbent with each successive washing.
Sometimes called Peshtemal, Hammam, or Fouta towels, Turkish towels are made from Turkish cotton, which has extra long fibers.
Why does that matter?
Because using longer fiber cotton means fewer joins, which basically just means that the cotton threads are stronger and smoother. And this is what leads to that soft, fluffy, absorbent goodness.
Turkish cotton is, of course, produced in Turkey and is grown in the small but productive Aegean Region.
And Turkish cotton is better for towels than, say, Egyptian cotton (another luxury cotton that is often sought after) because Egyptian cotton is actually too absorbent to make a good towel. Why? Because it is so absorbent that it stays wet long after washing or use.
Turkish cotton, on the other hand, is a perfect balance, allowing for maximum softness with efficient drying times.
Why Should I Buy Turkish Cotton?
There are many reasons to have and to want Turkish towels in your home.
For starters, Turkish towels are some of the most absorbent towels on the market, making them a great choice for hand towels, bath towels, and beach towels. What’s not to like about a towel that will absorb all your moisture?
Secondly, Turkish cotton makes for incredibly comfortable and soft towels. Although they tend to be thinner than other towels they still are plush and soft and give you a great feeling of comfort and luxury.
And finally, Turkish towels also last for a lot longer than most other kinds of towels. They are quite sustainable and that means you won’t have to buy new towels every few years.
The First Soak
This is a very important step in caring for your Turkish towels. You want to do this as soon as you get your towels – before washing them or using them or doing anything else with them.
Soak them in cold water for about 12 hours before you wash them for the first time. The easiest way to do this? Throw them in your tub to soak overnight.
Taking advantage of this first soak will make your towels that much more absorbent and soft. Why? Because the first soak allows the fibers to bloom and expand.
You’ll want to wring the towel out and let it hang to dry completely after the first soak and before the first wash.
You’ll only need to do this process once, however, before your first wash. After the initial soak, you can just wash your Turkish towels using the normal washing and care process for Turkish cotton.
Washing & Drying Your Turkish Towels
You’re going to want to wash your Turkish towels in cold or medium heat water, on a gentle cycle, with similar colors.
Make sure that you never use bleach or fabric softener with your Turkish towels as these chemicals can actually make your Turkish towels less absorbent.
While you can machine dry your Turkish towels (on a gentle cycle set to low or medium heat) it is much more preferable to hang dry your towels. This helps preserve the towel and encourages the softness, fluffiness, and absorbency to continue to grow.
Caring for Your Towels
For starters, you can use an iron on your towels to smooth out any unwanted wrinkles. That will keep them looking picture perfect for any use.
Also, if your towel gets caught on something and a thread get pulled a bit, don’t worry! You can simply cut off the pulled thread. Because of how Turkish cotton is woven, this won’t cause your towel to unravel at all.
And if your Turkish towels have fringe then you can take care of any fringe that has come undone by separating the fringe into two equal sections and twisting each section in a clockwise motion. After that, twist the two sections together in a counter-clockwise motion.
And then tie a knot and boom! Your fringe is all fixed.
Tips & Tricks
You’re going to want to start by cutting back on detergent because the soapy residue that builds up can make your Turkish cotton towels start to feel stiff. By using a little less detergent it’ll make it easier for your washing machine to get out those last bits of soap.
You’re also going to want, as stated above, to avoid fabric softener. Instead, use white vinegar as a softener. Why? Because fabric softeners actually make fabric water repellant, decreasing their absorbency.
If you use a cup of white vinegar every six weeks or so you’ll remove all the residue from your towel and restore them to full softness and absorbency.
You can also use baking soda to get rid of grime and soften your towels back up. Mix half a cup of baking soda with your normal amount of detergent and you’re good to go.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know everything there is to know about caring for your Turkish cotton, it’s time to go out there and buy some! Trust us, you’ll love the luxury you get to experience every time you get to use one of your Turkish towels.
To purchase, check out our collection and find the towel that best suits your need.