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How Do I... Choose and Care for Towels?
Soft, snuggly towels are one of life's little pleasures – here's what you need to know when shopping for a new set
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning design and decorating questions. Here, Joanna Ross, general manager of design at Sheridan, reveals how to select quality towels and keep them looking and feeling fabulous.
Which styles are trending?
Texture is key – whether it’s a deep, undulating marl or a classic, textured pinstripe.
White is still strong, and when it comes to colour we’re seeing softer shades or dusty versions of modern classics, such as lilac and pale silver. Saturated blue-greens are coming through again and have a modern feel.
And pink is not going anywhere. Deeper pinks are emerging as an alternative to ‘pretty’ pinks, and they work particularly well with classic bathroom tones and finishes.
Tip: Bold colours work best in small doses – if you’re going for brightly coloured towels, choose just one shade.
Texture is key – whether it’s a deep, undulating marl or a classic, textured pinstripe.
White is still strong, and when it comes to colour we’re seeing softer shades or dusty versions of modern classics, such as lilac and pale silver. Saturated blue-greens are coming through again and have a modern feel.
And pink is not going anywhere. Deeper pinks are emerging as an alternative to ‘pretty’ pinks, and they work particularly well with classic bathroom tones and finishes.
Tip: Bold colours work best in small doses – if you’re going for brightly coloured towels, choose just one shade.
Photo courtesy of Sheridan
What are the latest arrangement trends?
Staying within the one palette (such as understated greys), play up contrasting textures. You could, for example, mix jacquard weaves with ribbed textures for a fresh bathroom update.
What are the latest arrangement trends?
Staying within the one palette (such as understated greys), play up contrasting textures. You could, for example, mix jacquard weaves with ribbed textures for a fresh bathroom update.
Which styles suit a white bathroom?
White bathrooms are a perfect blank canvas for you to play with colour and texture. Add towels in seasonal, on-trend brights, or introduce a feminine touch with pink towels. For a sleek, super-clean look, go for all-white towels with a textural finish for impact.
Not a fan of bold or bright colours? Consider towels with a melange or marl effect – their speckled texture is a contemporary way to dress a white bathroom without committing to solid colour. Or take your cue from classic menswear textiles – think pinstripes and graphic weaves in charcoal and white.
White bathrooms are a perfect blank canvas for you to play with colour and texture. Add towels in seasonal, on-trend brights, or introduce a feminine touch with pink towels. For a sleek, super-clean look, go for all-white towels with a textural finish for impact.
Not a fan of bold or bright colours? Consider towels with a melange or marl effect – their speckled texture is a contemporary way to dress a white bathroom without committing to solid colour. Or take your cue from classic menswear textiles – think pinstripes and graphic weaves in charcoal and white.
What are some of the signs of quality to look for in-store?
Cotton is the go-to fibre for towels. For towels with added lustre and longevity, look for premium fibres such as luxury Egyptian and Turkish cotton.
The best towel to choose is one that matches your lifestyle. A busy family, for example, might choose a towel that dries quickly. But if you’re after a luxurious, spa-like experience at home, a plush, heavier-weight towel made from fine Egyptian or Turkish cotton might be a better choice.
Cotton is the go-to fibre for towels. For towels with added lustre and longevity, look for premium fibres such as luxury Egyptian and Turkish cotton.
The best towel to choose is one that matches your lifestyle. A busy family, for example, might choose a towel that dries quickly. But if you’re after a luxurious, spa-like experience at home, a plush, heavier-weight towel made from fine Egyptian or Turkish cotton might be a better choice.
How should I wash my towels?
For best results, choose a gentle, 40°C wash setting. This is the ideal temperature to remove natural body oils, bacteria and chemical detergents without damaging the fibre of your towels.
To keep your towels at their best, steer clear of softeners, which can reduce the absorbency of towels over time. Also avoid detergents with optical brighteners as these can alter the colour of towels over time.
Tip: For the best washing results, don’t overcrowd the machine – make sure towels have plenty of water around them for a proper soak and wash.
For best results, choose a gentle, 40°C wash setting. This is the ideal temperature to remove natural body oils, bacteria and chemical detergents without damaging the fibre of your towels.
To keep your towels at their best, steer clear of softeners, which can reduce the absorbency of towels over time. Also avoid detergents with optical brighteners as these can alter the colour of towels over time.
Tip: For the best washing results, don’t overcrowd the machine – make sure towels have plenty of water around them for a proper soak and wash.
… and dry them?
The best option is to use a mix of line and tumble drying. The sun acts as a natural antibacterial agent on towels, and will help kill any germs, while tumble-drying gives them that soft, fluffy feel.
Dry towels in small loads for 20 minutes or less on a low to medium setting. Remove from the dryer while they’re still damp and finish off by air drying on the line.
Tip: If you are using a heated towel rail, be careful not to repeatedly fold towels over in the same spot as this will wear down the fibres over time.
The best option is to use a mix of line and tumble drying. The sun acts as a natural antibacterial agent on towels, and will help kill any germs, while tumble-drying gives them that soft, fluffy feel.
Dry towels in small loads for 20 minutes or less on a low to medium setting. Remove from the dryer while they’re still damp and finish off by air drying on the line.
Tip: If you are using a heated towel rail, be careful not to repeatedly fold towels over in the same spot as this will wear down the fibres over time.
How should I treat stains?
When it comes to dealing with stains on towels, the sooner you act the better. The best way to remove stains is to gently soak, wash or blot out the mark using an oxygen-based stain remover. Be careful not to scrub your stain, as this can damage the fibres of your towel.
When it comes to dealing with stains on towels, the sooner you act the better. The best way to remove stains is to gently soak, wash or blot out the mark using an oxygen-based stain remover. Be careful not to scrub your stain, as this can damage the fibres of your towel.
Tell us
What’s your top tip for keeping towels looking their best? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or save this story. Join the conversation.
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What’s your top tip for keeping towels looking their best? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or save this story. Join the conversation.
More
Read more ‘How do I…’ stories
Beautifully plush towels are great for softening the hard surfaces in a bathroom. They’re also an easy way to give the space a seasonal update – just like throw pillows can dress up a sofa.