How to Dry Towels to Keep Them Soft and Fresh

Knowing how to dry towels correctly is an essential part of maintaining their quality. Failure to properly dry your bath towels can result in mildew, and the growth of bacteria. This can leave you with bath linens that are not only stiff, but also significantly less absorbent. 

In this handy guide, we share our top tips on how to dry your towels in a way that will keep them soft and fresh after every wash - whether you use a tumble dryer or prefer to air-dry.

Enjoy the spa-like feeling of wrapping yourself up in the fluffiest and most luxurious bath towels, like the premium towels at Christy. These expert drying methods can ensure you protect your investment, avoid any unpleasant smells on your towels and keep your towels as plush as when you first bought them.

How to dry towels in the tumble dryer

The most convenient way to dry bath towels and bath mats is in the tumble dryer. This drying method is great if you’re short on time or are looking into how to dry towels in the winter. For the softest and fluffiest bath linens every time, our experts recommend doing the following:

• To prevent tangling and speed up the drying process, remove your towels from the washing machine one by one and shake them before transferring them to the dryer. 

• Minimise towel shedding and snagging by only drying your towels in the dryer with other towels or similar textures.

• Prolong the lifespan of your bath linens by only using a low heat setting on your dryer - high heat can damage fibres and expose your towels to wear and tear.

• Avoid overloading the dryer as this could prevent your towels from drying properly and result in laundry that is overheated but still damp.

• Avoid ironing your towels to keep your luxury linens absorbent and fluffy.

• Remove your towels from the dryer as soon as they’re fully dry - but no sooner. Towels that are still slightly damp can form mildew or a musty smell, while overdrying your towels can damage delicate fibres.

How to dry towels without a dryer

If you don’t have a tumble dryer or instead prefer the eco-friendly benefits of drying your towels outside, our experts also have a host of tips on how to dry towels without a dryer. We first recommend giving each towel a good shake when you take it out of the wash. This will start the air-drying process.

For those drying their towels on a washing line, the best way to hang them is by the short edge, with each of the two corners attached to the line with a peg. Avoid direct sunlight and if possible, hand in a breezy spot. Avoid folding or draping your towels if you’re drying them this way - it will just take longer for them to dry fully.  

You can also dry your towels without a dryer by hanging them on a clotheshorse indoors. For the most efficient drying process, drape your towels over the rods so that they fold in the middle; having enough space between your towels allows for maximum airflow. 

If you don’t have a tumble dryer and struggle to get your towels sufficiently dry, you might also consider investing in quick-dry towels. If hung up to dry between uses, lightweight towels are more resistant to mildew - not to mention require less energy on wash day.

Quick-dry and lighter-weight towels are also less bulky, allowing them to take up less space in your cabinet or fit snugly between bed sheets in your linen cupboard. Some quick-dry towels, like our Cirrus Towels, are woven in a special way to spin. extra fluffy and velvety soft yarns and provide the luxurious texture of a much heavier towel that dries in just a fraction of the time.

What are the benefits of air-drying towels?

Drying your towels without a tumble dryer might take longer, but this lengthier process can often prove worthwhile in many other ways:

• Learning how to dry towels without a dryer can save you energy, and in turn, help you cut down on your energy costs.

• Drying your white towels outside can help keep them whiter for longer thanks to UV exposure. For dark coloured towels, our experts recommend air-drying them in the shade to prevent fading. 

• By mixing up line drying and tumble drying, you can reduce wear and tear on your towels and extend their lifespan.

• Drying your laundry outside can give it that clean and freshly washed scent - without the need for heavy detergents and fabric conditioner.

Despite the many benefits of drying your towels without a dryer, some homeowners continue to use their tumble dryer to dry bath linens - this is largely due to the myth that air-drying your towels will always make them go stiff.

To avoid this stiffness, the experts at Christy suggest hanging your towels outside on days with a windy breeze. Another foolproof way of softening stiff towels is to finish them off in the tumble dryer on a brief air-fluff cycle once you’ve taken them off the washing line. This will make them feel as fluffy and light as when you first introduced them to your bathroom oasis.

Experience spa-like luxury at home with Christy towels

Searching for towels that stay soft after every wash? Look no further than Christy’s premium bath towels. 

Whether you want to wrap yourself up in the finest luxurious Egyptian cotton, or stay cosy and cocooned with our thick cotton bathrobe, we have everything you need to create a spa-like bathing experience in your very own four walls.

Browse the full range of Christy's indulgent bathroom collection today.