How To Get Stains Out Of Towels: Tips & Tricks
Towels are an everyday essential, but they can quickly become stained and dingy if not properly cared for. Whether it's makeup smudges, hair dye, or the occasional food mishap, stains are inevitable—thankfully, keeping your towels looking fresh and extending their lifespan is doable if you have the knowledge and know-how for dealing with stains.
In this guide, we'll cover practical tips and tricks to tackle those pesky stains so your towels remain as vibrant and clean as the day you bought them. Plus, we'll talk about a type of self-cleaning towel that can make the maintenance process even easier and save you some time in the laundry department.
What Causes Stains on Towels?
Towels are versatile and hardworking, but they often bear the brunt of daily life, leading to a variety of stains.
Most Common Stains Found on Towels
- Makeup: Foundation, mascara, and lipstick are notorious for leaving stubborn marks. Their oil-based formulas cling to fabric fibers, making them difficult to wash out.
- Oil and Grease: Whether from skincare products, hair treatments, or cooking, oil and grease can seep into towel fibers, creating persistent stains that resist regular washing.
- Food and Drink: Spills from coffee, tea, or sauces can quickly turn into unsightly stains. These often contain tannins or dyes that bind tightly to fabric.
- Sweat and Body Oils: Over time, natural body oils and sweat can accumulate, leading to yellowing or discoloration, especially on lighter towels.
Why Are Stains on Towels So Hard To Remove?
The challenge with all of the above stains lies in their composition. Many are oil-based, which means they repel water and require specific treatments to break down. Additionally, some stains, like those from makeup or food, contain pigments and dyes that can deeply penetrate the fibers, making them more resistant to standard washing methods.
How To Get Stains Out of Towels
Whether they're bath towels or kitchen towels, stains on towels can be a real nuisance. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to get stains out of towels, no matter what you're up against!
Pre-Treatment Tips
The sooner you address a stain, the better your chances of removing it completely. Fresh stains are much easier to treat than those that have set in.
For a more natural approach, you can look to vinegar and baking soda. These household staples can be powerful pre-treatment solutions. For bath towels, mix equal parts vinegar and water, and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes before washing. For kitchen towels, sprinkle baking soda directly onto the stain, add a few drops of water to form a paste, and let it sit for 10 minutes. This helps to lift grease and food stains effectively.
On the other hand, there are numerous pre-treatment products available that are specifically designed to tackle tough stains. Products like OxiClean, Shout, or Zout are formulated to penetrate deep into fabric fibers, breaking down oils and pigments. To use, apply the product directly to the stain, following the instructions on the label, and let it sit for the recommended time before washing. These products are particularly effective for stubborn stains that natural remedies might not fully remove.
Washing Recommendations
- Sort and Separate: Always separate stained towels from the rest of your laundry to prevent the stain from spreading.
- Choose the Right Detergent: Use a detergent designed for stain removal. For bath towels, opt for a mild detergent to protect the fibers. For kitchen towels, a stronger detergent may be necessary to tackle tougher stains.
- Use Warm Water: Warm or even hot water can help to dissolve stains more effectively than cold water. However, check the care label first to ensure your towels can withstand the temperature.
- Wash Thoroughly: Set your washing machine to a regular cycle for bath towels and a heavy-duty cycle for kitchen towels for a deep clean.
- Rinse and Repeat: If the stain persists, repeat the washing process. Avoid drying the towel until the stain is completely gone, as heat from the dryer can set the stain.
Are There Any Natural Methods To Get Stains Out?
Lemon juice and salt are known to be natural stain removers that are both effective and eco-friendly.
For bath towels, apply lemon juice directly to the stain and sprinkle salt over it. Let it sit in the sun for a few hours before washing. This method is particularly effective for removing yellowing and brightening whites.
For kitchen towels, create a paste with lemon juice and salt, apply it to the stain, and let it sit for 30 minutes before washing. This combination works well for food and drink stains.
How Often Should I Wash My Towels, Anyway?
The answer depends on several factors, including how frequently you use them and the environment in which they're kept.
For bath towels, it's generally recommended to wash after three to four uses. This helps to remove any bacteria, oils, and dead skin cells that accumulate over time. If you shower daily, this means washing your bath towels about twice a week.
For kitchen towels, on the other hand, more frequent washing is typically recommended due to the exposure to food particles, spills, and grease. Ideally, you should wash kitchen towels every day or every other day, especially if they're used for drying dishes or wiping dirty surfaces.
What Factors Affect How Often I Wash My Towels?
Usage: The more frequently a towel is used, the more often it should be washed. Towels used for heavy-duty tasks, like gym towels or those used in a busy kitchen, will need more frequent laundering.
Humidity: Towels in humid environments tend to stay damp longer, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. If you live in a humid climate or your bathroom lacks proper ventilation, consider washing your towels more often. You'll know if you fit in this category if your towels tend to get a musty smell on them even after just a couple of uses.
Twice a week sound a little too time-consuming? What if we told you that you could up to triple the time between washes? Introducing self-cleaning towels.
Are There Really Self-Cleaning Towels?
The idea of self-cleaning towels might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it's a reality thanks to innovative silver-infusing technology. Imagine towels that stay fresher for longer, reducing the need for frequent washing. This is where Miracle Made® Towels come into play.
The Science Behind Self-Cleaning Towels
Miracle Made® Towels are infused with silver, a powerful agent known for its antibacterial properties. Silver has been used for centuries to fight bacteria and keep things clean. In these towels, the silver works continuously via a process called ionization to drastically reduce the buildup of germs and odors so you can do less laundry and escape the smell of musty towels, but still enjoy luxuriously soft cotton as you get out of your shower.
How It Works
The silver-infused fibers in Miracle Made® towels create an environment that inhibits up to 99.7% of bacterial growth. As a result, these towels stay cleaner and fresher for up to three times longer than regular towels. This means fewer washes, saving you time, water, and energy.
With Miracle Made® towels, you can enjoy the comfort of knowing your towels are actively working to keep themselves clean, providing you with a more hygienic and convenient experience.
While we can't promise that you'll never have to fight a couple of stains (antibacterial properties doesn't quite equate to "stain-proof"), we can promise that you'll love our silver-infused fabrics, which is why we offer a 30-day money back guarantee.
Conclusion
Keeping your towels clean and stain-free is important, both for your own hygiene and for the lifespan of your towels. We've covered what causes stains as well as how to use the right techniques to remove them, but if you're after a more hassle-free solution that cuts down on frequent washing, Miracle Made® Towels are just a click away. Thanks to their innovative self-cleaning technology via silver-infused, NASA-inspired fabrics, these towels stay fresher for longer, giving you the satisfaction of clean towels with a lot less effort.
Sources:
- The Nitty Gritty of Stains and Stain Removal - Tennessee EDU
- Physicists Unravel Mystery of Coffee Stains | Science | AAAS
- No Stain, No Pain! | Scientific American
