How to Stop Towels from Shedding: 5 Simple Tips & Tricks

Learning how to stop towels from shedding is essential to maintain their softness and ensure a luxurious spa-like feel every time you use them. Keeping your towels lint-free also means you’ll need to replace them less.

In this short guide, our home textiles experts share simple tips on how to stop towels from shedding. By following these tricks, you can extend the lifespan of your favourite bath towels, and make your daily routine even more relaxing. 

For indulgently soft towels like no other, discover our range of premium towel sets at Christy. Our collection includes our beloved staple Renaissance towels guaranteed to never shed despite their supremely fluffy texture.

5 top tips to stop your towels from shedding

Shedding is a common effect of new towels as the previously undamaged fibres can start to break down with use. By learning how to stop new towels from shedding, you can reduce any extra lint from coming off and keep your towels as fluffy as when you first brought them into your home. 

While it’s not usually to the same extent, older towels are also prone to shedding. This is because their fibres similarly experience wear with long-term usage. Using a lint roller and washing your towels separately from other clothes and bed linens can prevent shedding on older towels, as well as following these tips and tricks below.

1. Freeze your towels or soak them in cold water

If you don't like doing multiple washes, try putting your towels in the freezer before they go in your washing machine. The cold treatment helps by stiffening up any loose fibres and preventing them from shedding during the wash cycle. 

You can also reduce shedding by soaking your towels in cold water; this method is great for relaxing the fibres and reducing the production of lint. However, this treatment might be less effective than freezing due to the slightly warmer temperature of the water.

2. Don’t use too much detergent and avoid fabric softener

Using an excess amount of laundry detergent when washing your towels can lead to residue build-up, which can contribute to shedding. That’s why we recommend using just half the recommended amount of detergent in your cycle. 

Similarly, fabric softener can leave a coating on the fibres of your towels which reduces their absorbency and makes them more susceptible to shedding. Avoiding these softeners in your wash can help your towels stay lint-free and fluffier for longer. 

Expert tip: When running your towels through the wash, it’s good practice to only mix them with similar fabrics. This will reduce friction and prevent shedding. If you can’t do a towel-only wash, try to avoid adding items with zippers, hooks, or other abrasive elements into the machine.

3. Wash your towels with white vinegar

A white vinegar wash is a staple trick for how to stop new towels from shedding. Since shedding often occurs when loose fibres don’t bind properly during the manufacturing process, washing your brand-new towels with a cup of white vinegar before their first use can help both set the colour - and remove extra lint from the material.

For the best results, add the white vinegar directly into the drum.; you don’t need to rinse your towels afterwards and repeating the process every six weeks or so will help them stay even softer for longer. Note that only white vinegar specifically should be used to wash your towels, so stay clear of adding apple cider vinegar to your wash.

4. Use soft water to wash your towels

Water quality also plays a crucial role in towel shedding. If you live in an area with hard water, your towels might be prone to more wear and tear. This is due to the high mineral content of hard water, particularly calcium and magnesium. If you don’t already know how soft or hard your water is, you can look up your postcode area online. 

By using a water softener in your wash cycle, you can preserve the integrity of the towel fibres and reduce the chance of shedding. When washed in softer, filtered water, soft cotton towels tend to last longer, produce less lint and remain plush.

5. Choose gentle drying methods

The gentler the washing conditions, the more your towels will keep their original softness and look. That’s why our experts recommend gentle drying methods in your wash cycle. Whenever possible, try air drying your towels outside, in a breezy and shady spot to naturally remove lint and minimise fabric damage, which can help reduce shedding.

If you can’t dry your towels on the line, use a no-heat or low-heat setting on your dryer - like an air fluff cycle - instead. To remove as much lint as possible, shake the towels out before they go in the dryer. We also advise cleaning your lint trap after every cycle for maximum efficiency.

Say goodbye to shedding with quality towels from Christy

Perhaps the simplest solution to deal with shedding is to indulge in bath towels made from high-quality materials. At Christy, our selection of luxurious towels are crafted from premium materials such as Supima Cotton and Egyptian cotton, which have longer fibres that minimise shedding.

If you’re looking to introduce spa-like luxury to your home, our indulgent bathroom collection has everything you need to create your very own bathroom oasis. 

Whether you want to envelop yourself in lavish comfort with our HygroCotton towels, or spend the morning cocooned in our cosy robes, experience a bathtime experience like no other with Christy.