On a sunny summer day, freshly washed clothes hanging on an outdoor clothesline dry quickly, especially with the assistance of strong winds, leaving a refreshing scent that lifts the spirits. However, if you often hang towels outdoors to dry, you may want to think twice. According to washing experts, it may not be the best practice.
Reported by UK’s “Daily Express,” Deyan Dimitrov, the founder and laundry expert of the UK washing company “Laundryheap,” stated that hanging towels outdoors to dry on hot summer days may have more drawbacks than benefits.
Despite the high temperatures during summer, strong winds can also be a factor. While many might think that such weather conditions are ideal for drying clothes outdoors, Dimitrov suggests otherwise.
Dimitrov explained, “During windy weather, people often hang wet clothes on the clothesline. The wind indeed accelerates the drying process and gives bed sheets a fresh, dry feel after drying.”
He added, “However, for items like towels, jeans, and hoodies, strong winds could be their ‘enemy.’ It can make these fabrics rough, stiff, and lose their soft texture. For such clothing items, it’s best to use a tumble dryer for drying.”
Proper care during the washing and drying process is essential for towels, but the way towels are stored is equally important.
Experts from the UK washing company “Clean Linen and Workwear” suggest avoiding stacking too many towels on shelves or in drawers, as this can cause the towels to become stiffer or wrinkled.
They recommend arranging towels side by side rather than pile them on top of each other. This method prevents the bottom towels from being flattened and ensures all the towels in the cabinet are rotated for use, avoiding being constantly at the bottom of the stack.
These experts added, “Properly hanging towels to dry between uses is also crucial. Avoid stacking damp towels on the floor or in laundry baskets. This can lead to moisture gathering in the folds of the towel, promoting mold and bacteria growth. The correct method is to hang towels on a towel rack to ensure they hang flat and dry quickly.”
Towels can become stiff after prolonged use, causing discomfort with reduced absorbency. Using fabric softener to wash towels may not have the desired effect as it could reduce the towels’ absorbency over time.
Vivien Fodor, the laundry category manager at Whirlpool in the UK, previously provided natural methods to revive and maintain the softness of old towels.
Fodor suggested that fabric softener leaves a coating on towels, reducing their absorbency over time, leading to stiffness.
She recommended using natural alternatives like white vinegar or baking soda to wash towels. Mixing white vinegar with water at a 1:1 ratio can effectively clean a washing machine full of towels without leaving any residual odor.
Additionally, in the Facebook group “Mrs. Hinch Cleaning Tips,” created by UK influencer Sophie Hinchcliffe, users recommended using baking soda powder instead of fabric softener to keep towels soft.