Bath towels can be rolled or folded.

We rely on towels every day, in the bathroom, the kitchen and sometimes in other spaces, like the pool or the garage. They deserve to be washed, dried and put away properly, so that we can keep using them to clean up after us. Read on for our tips on towel storage and care techniques.

Towel Care

Because they dry off our clean bodies and our clean hands, it’s imperative that the towels we use are actually clean.

When you bring home brand-new towels, throw them in the machine before hanging them in the bathroom or placing them in the linen closet. This removes the absorption-blocking coating and any germs or other residue, as well as musty smells.

Experts say hot water and non-chlorine bleach help white towels to stay bright, while colored towels will fade less in warm water.

Separate white towels from colored towels when washing them to avoid dye transfer from the colored towels to the white ones. Pictured: SuiteSymphony in White Timber

Besides your favorite laundry detergent, vinegar is your towels’ best friend. For the first few washes, add half a cup or a whole cup during the rinse cycle (and cut your detergent usage in half) to strip detergent buildup and set the colors. Vinegar also works as a natural fabric softener. Toss a quarter cupful into the machine anytime you want fluffier towels. Just skip the bleach in those washes. The mixture of bleach and vinegar may create harsh fumes.

Launder your bath towels about twice a week so that they’re fresh and germ-free for you post-shower or bath. Between washes, hang them unfolded to prevent mildew and germs from growing. Both love damp conditions.

When you take the towels out of the washing machine, give them a good shake before moving them to the dryer. They’ll dry faster, have fewer wrinkles and be fluffier this way. Contrary to what you might think, a low setting is best for towels. Overdrying them can cause them to become stiffer and less absorbent. That being said, make sure the towels are completely dry before folding them.

Towel Storage

Now that you’ve cleaned and dried your towels, where will they go? Your kitchen towels might have a natural home in your pantry or in a drawer next to the stove, but your bath towels could potentially live in a few places.

A linen closet, especially one that’s not in a bathroom, may be an ideal location. This way, the whole household can access clean towels at any time. Alternatively, you could create towel storage in each bathroom. Cube organizers or other cabinets with shelves and compartments work well.

If you have the floor space, an organizer like this one can hold extra towels and other bathroom necessities. Pictured: Modular Closet in Sand

After you’ve chosen where to store your bath towels, how will you fold them? Many people choose to fold their towels in thirds, but there are other methods you might want to use, either to save space or for aesthetics.

The hotel-folding method goes one step further than folding in thirds lengthwise. It also folds the towels in thirds widthwise to create perfect, stackable squares. If you want more of a spa-inspired look, roll your towels. You’ll start with a diagonal fold before folding the towel in half and then rolling it neatly and tucking the point inside. See step-by-step instructions on the Better Homes & Gardens website.

Taking care of your towels will help them last longer and keep your family cleaner and healthier.