Caring For Your Japanese Towels
Japanese towels are exceptionally durable to begin with, but with a little extra care and precaution, you can extend their life for years to come. Below, we share our top 11 tips for getting the most life out of your towels.
Japanese Towel Care + Maintenance
Wash Before Use- To extend the life of your towels, wash your towels before first use to help set the color, improve absorbency and reduce lint.
Wash Them Together - Whenever possible try to wash your towels separately or at least with like colors.
Wash Cold to Warm - Cold water places less stress on cotton fibers, use cold water whenever possible. For deeper cleaning or sterilization warm water can be used, but try to avoid your machine's hottest settings.
Don't Use Too Much Detergent - It seems counterintuitive, but using more detergent does not mean cleaner towels. Leftover detergent can remain on your towels after washing and reduce their efficacy. Follow your machine's instructions.
Avoid Bleach and Fabric Softeners - They leave residue on the fibers that will reduce absorbency and stiffen the pile.
Be Careful with Beauty Products - Certain soaps, creams, and medications (especially acne medications with Benzoyl Peroxide) can stain and discolor towels.
Drying - High heat damages the cotton fibers try a lower heat setting or line-drying. Japanese towels are quick drying and will often dry completely between uses.
Refresh - Add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the wash periodically to remove residue, improve absorbency and prevent any musty smells.
Hang Individually - Hang towels individually between uses to ensure they dry thoroughly.
When to Wash - Under typical situations, we recommend using bath towels up to three times before laundering. Handtowels and wash cloths should be washed more frequently.
Storage - When storing towels, avoid overcrowding and put freshly laundered towels at the bottom to ensure even rotation.
