How to Wash and Care for Microfiber Towels (So They Last for Years)

Microfiber towels work because of millions of very fine fibres that grab water. Care for them the wrong way and those fibres clog or melt, and the towel stops absorbing. The good news: proper care is easier than for cotton.

The four mistakes to avoid

1. Fabric softener. It coats the fibres with a waxy film and blocks absorbency. This is the most common reason microfiber "stops working".
2. High heat. Microfiber is a synthetic fabric. Hot washes and hot tumble-drying can damage the fibres permanently.
3. Bleach. It weakens the fibres and can fade colours.
4. Washing with cotton. Microfiber grabs lint from cotton towels and holds it.

The simple routine

1. Shake out sand or rinse off salt and chlorine after use.
2. Wash with other microfiber items or synthetics, at 30 to 40°C.
3. Use a small amount of mild liquid detergent. Powder can leave residue in the fibres.
4. Skip the softener.
5. Air dry, or tumble on low heat. In the UAE, a towel hung in the shade usually dries in under an hour.

Between washes

Never leave a microfiber towel balled up wet in a bag. Hang it to dry as soon as you can. If you carry it home damp, keep it in a ventilated or wet pocket rather than sealed in plastic.

How to fix a towel that smells or stopped absorbing

• Soak it for an hour in warm water with a cup of white vinegar, then wash as normal with no detergent.
• Repeat once if it is still stiff. This removes detergent and softener build-up.

How often to wash

• Hair towel: every 2 or 3 uses
• Gym towel: after every session
• Beach towel: after every beach day, because salt and sunscreen break down fibres over time

Looked after this way, a good microfiber towel stays soft and absorbent for years. Find out why microfiber is better for your hair, or browse our microfiber towel sets.