Do your towels always get ruined? (if not, recommendations please...)

[Anonymous]

It seems like every time I go out and buy towels, they are gross within months.
Either those weird discolorations from the wash, or they start threading, or get worn easily.

Does that happen to all towels? I'd like to buy a new set that will last a few years. Please recommend your favorite brand.

[Anonymous]

How often do you wash them?

[Anonymous]

Don't buy cheap towels. Wash them by themselves or with your sheets in hot water without bleach and some borax. Think about what towels do. . .they get wet and end up with mildew and dead skin on them. If you don't wash them properly to get rid of those things, they will get dingy and smell. And if you start with cheap towels, well. . . .

We got towels off our registry (from Bed, Bath and Beyond, so not top of the line but not cheap either) and we've now had them for seven years. They still look and feel great and they never have that gross dingy look or funky smell because we wash them properly.

[Anonymous]

We got a pack of these at Costco a couple of years ago, and they have held up well: http://www.amazon.com/Martex-Hospitality-Bath-Towels-6-Pack/dp/B003XNB7EO

I got white thinking that if I needed to I could always bleach them. Has not been necessary thus far, but I like having the option. We wash on hot.

[Anonymous]

Our towels don't get gross (they don't smell or look dirty) but they DO get worn-looking. And we don't buy cheap - usually the more expensive stuff at Blomingdales!

I just get a few new ones every 5-7 years.

[Anonymous]

I wash towels on the HOT cycle and then add vinegar during the rinse cycle. Then I wash them again with baking soda. They coming out fluffy and smelling great and you get the added bonus that the baking soda and vinegar will clean your washer for you too.

[Anonymous]

Restoration Hardware Turkish Bath towels.

[Anonymous]

I have read that colored towels should not be washed on hot, true? All mine are colored by room. they're not gross but old. As in 15 years old.

[Anonymous]

My dark colored towels all seem to get orange stains on them within a month or two of purchasing. They look like bleach stains but I don't use bleach. For the life of me, I can't figure out what the problem is but I'm sure it has nothing to do with the brand of the towel. Does anyone else have this problem?

[Anonymous]

I have colored towels that are over 10 years old and are not 'gross', but I don't wash them in hot water, either. The label doesn't call for that. Most of mine are from JC Penney.

[Anonymous]

In my experience, cheap towels do not last well. They come undone on the seams and fray, or discolor. On the other hand you get what you pay for in towels. I bought some very expensive towels when we were young --they have lasted 25 years. (don't look great at this point, but still usable) Mid range towels +$30, last very well (+ 10 years). If they get sour, I use Mr. Clean (1tbsp) in the wash. I wash them by themselves, because they are heavy and will damage the other clothes when they spin around with them, or in the dryer. the heat needed to dry towels in the dryer will be damaging to other clothes. $3 towels from Walmart are great for pets (if they get too dirty, you can discard) GL.

[Anonymous]

We have Macy's Hotel Collection towels that are still in great shape after about 6 years of use. And the towels I bought 13 years ago when I moved to DC on my own, also from Macy's, are also holding up really well--I think they're Charter Club. I don't wash them any particular way. If there are enough, they get a load of their own, but otherwise they're in with sheets or whatever else needs to be washed.

PP with orange stains: benzoyl peroxide, by any chance? It's in a lot of acne treatments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dark colored towels all seem to get orange stains on them within a month or two of purchasing. They look like bleach stains but I don't use bleach. For the life of me, I can't figure out what the problem is but I'm sure it has nothing to do with the brand of the towel. Does anyone else have this problem?

Benzoyl peroxide in face creams/washes. Always wash hands with soap after applying and dry on a cheap white hand towel. Also - don't wear it to bed unless you have only white sheets, duvet/quilt

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have read that colored towels should not be washed on hot, true? All mine are colored by room. they're not gross but old. As in 15 years old.

I have colored towels and they are always washed on hot. I wash all my sheets/towels on hot on the recommendation of my allergist.

[Anonymous]

previous thread on this topic

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/303768.page

Many people complained about Restoration Hardware towels.

I have had towels discolor, and we don't use benzoyl peroxide products.

I have resigned myself to boring but practical towels. Costco Charisma brand has been holding up well so far. Thick and soft, but not luxurious. I get all cream colored towels, and they haven't faded or discolored.