How Do I Stop Fading on New Towels?

Bright towels can fade without proper care

After buying bright new towels, you may notice that the colors start to fade even after the first wash. Adding vinegar your new towels' first wash can help towels retain their color. Remember to dry towels on low heat and not to overuse fabric softener because heat and excess fabric softener can damage towel fibers.

Things You'll Need

• Vinegar

Instructions

1. Sort new towels with like colors. This will ensure that colors will not bleed and alter the colors of your towels.

2. Place one color of sorted towels in the washing machine at a time. Add 1 cup of vinegar to each wash. Using vinegar the first time you wash new towels helps to preserve color.

3. Tumble dry towels on a low heat setting and only use fabric softeners as needed. Low heat will ensure that towels are fluffy, while high heat can damage the soft towel fibers. Overuse of fabric softeners can damage and stiffen soft towel fibers.

4. Repeat Step 3 each time you wash your towels.

References

• Macy's; Bath Towel Buying Guide; 2011
• Good Housekeeping; How to Have the Nicest Towels; Jamie Ueda; 2011
• University of Kentucky; Today's Textiles -- Buying Towels; Kathy Roesel Byrnes et al.; 2007