How to Take Care of Your Towels

When it comes to sustainability in fashion you have more power than you think to reduce your impact.⁣ Most conversation is often centered around buying ethically and sustainably made clothes. But, did you know, maintaining and extending the life of the clothing already in your closet is one of the first steps to building a sustainable wardrobe and how we wash our clothes plays a massive role in their overall lifespan?

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Our Turkish Towels should last you through years of washes and adventures with good care. Turkish cotton has a longer fiber which makes it durable when turned into thread and is less likely to come loose or break. In order to get fibers to open up, they need to be exposed to water. Once the fibers are loose and open they're ready to soak up water off your body.  

Turkish towels will get softer and more absorbent as you wash them, so don't be afraid to use them daily! Please note that Turkish Cotton Co. Turkish towels comes unwashed and will shrink a little after you wash them. 

 

How to care

 

WASHING INSTRUCTIONS

Please wash your Turkish towel before use. Turkish towels must be washed to become absorbent. You can soak your towel in cool water overnight or wash on a gentle cycle using cold or medium heat water with similar colors.

DRYING INSTRUCTIONS

While tumble drying will make the towel fluffy, do not overdo, as the heat from the dryer damage the integrity of the cotton. We recommend using a lower heat setting occasionally or alternate between air and heat drying.

Please avoid fabric softeners - softeners contain silicon that will make the towels water repellent. To soften your towels, use 1 cup of white vinegar about every 6 weeks.  Run the towels through a regular washing cycle, then redo washing with white vinegar instead of soap.

 

DO

  • Wash before use
  • Use a gentle setting 
  • Use detergent sparingly
  • Air dry when possible

DON'T

  • Use before washing
  • Expose your towel to bleach, fabric softeners or high heat  

 

FIXING UN-TIED FRINGES

You can avoid un-tied fringes by checking the fringes before or after you wash them. If you see one that's starting to loosen, just give it a tug to tighten the knot. Do an overall check of the fringes once in a while. It will take you no longer than 60 seconds to tighten each knot.

Gentle washing and air dry help alleviate un-tied fringes. A little intentional care is worth the reward.

Simple three part process for fixing un-tied fringes:

  1. Separate the fringe into two equal parts
  2. Twist each section, separately, in a clockwise direction 
  3. Twist both sections together, knot at the end

FAQ

What are the features of a high quality Turkish towel?

A quality Turkish towel should not leave lint or fuzz on your body. It will shrink in the wash (unless it is pre-shrunk) but the threads should not pucker. The towel will get softer over time. It will feature handmade characteristics. It will feel thin and light but still have a substantial “feel” to it. Meaning, the threads should be dense so it doesn't feel flimsy.

How much should my Turkish towel shrink after wash?

Turkish towels will shrink – they’re made from 100% cotton and that’s the nature of the fiber. Turkish towel comes unwashed and will shrink a few inches after your first wash. 

What is the average weight of a quality Turkish towel?

Turkish towels range in weight anywhere from 7 oz – 15 oz. A quality/tight weave classic style towel should weigh around 10 oz. 

Will these towels be ok in a hot water wash cycle?

Use cold wash only. We recommend using a baking soda wash and vinegar rinse once in a while to keep your towels super clean. Heat damages everything, especially natural fibers like cotton. You can use hot water, you just might see more wear in your towels over time.

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