There's nothing worse than buying a new towel only for it to start fraying and falling apart after a few months. Thankfully, our award-winning 650 GSM Hampton & Astley bath towels have been expertly constructed to last for years and years.
We've amassed more than 2,500 five-star reviews on Trustpilot, and The Independent named our design Best hotel-style towel 2026. We've also been recognised among the best towels in the UK by leading lifestyle titles including The Telegraph, GQ and House & Garden.
While our towels are built to last, there's always a few things you can do to make them stay feeling like a five-star-hotel towel for longer. That's why we've teamed up with Lynsey, Queen of Clean to come up with expert tips on how to wash your towels to keep them looking and feeling good for longer.
How to wash towels to keep them soft
Lynsey's top towel washing tips at a glance
| Step | Rule | Why it Matters |
| 1. The First Wash | Always wash new towels before use—alone. | Removes warehouse germs and manufacturing chemicals that block absorbency. |
| 2. The Cycle | Use a cold wash with gentle liquid detergent. | Protects the cotton fibres and prevents high-end colours from fading. |
| 3. The Secret Ingredient | Add a teaspoon of baking powder to the drawer. | Acts as a natural softener to give towels an "extra bounce" |
| 4. The Schedule | Wash at least once a week. | Prevents the buildup of skin oils and bacteria. |
| 5. The Dry | Use low heat; remove while slightly damp. | Prevents "scorching" the fibres, which makes them feel scratchy and brittle. |
| 6. The Finish | Air dry in the shade or finish in an airing cupboard. | Fresh air is great, but direct sunlight can bleach and stiffen the fabric. |
| 7. Post-Use Care | Always hang in an aired room; never leave on the floor. | Keeps mould and mildew at bay. |
1. Why You Should Always Wash Towels Before Use
Lynsey: To start with always wash new towels before you use them and wash them alone. Don’t just buy them and hang them up in your bathroom.
This helps to remove any germs that have been picked up when your towels were in the warehouse or being delivered. Plus, during the manufacturing process, chemicals are used to create a sleek finish which washing removes to make the towels instantly softer and fluffier.
2. Wash on a cold wash
Lynsey: Wash them on a cold wash with detergent. Always wash your towels separately with no other garments and choose a gentle laundry detergent without additives as this will stop the colour fading and will protect the fibres. My personal choice is Surf laundry detergents in liquid form.
3. Add a teaspoon of baking powder and wash them once a week
Lynsey: For fluffiness add a teaspoon of baking powder to the laundry detergent drawer to help give your towels an extra bounce. Wash your towels at least once a week. But if you are a clean freak like me 3 to 4 times a week.
4. Go low with the tumble-drier
Lynsey: If you're using a tumble drier always use a low setting and remove them when they are still slightly wet to keep them supple and absorbent, otherwise over heating can wear down and damage the fibres. Then air to dry or put neatly in the airing cupboard.
In good weather I love to hang my towels on the outside line, but I try not to have the sun directly on them in order to stop bleaching. Instead, I hide them behind another garment or hang in a more shaded area. Then the best bit - they are ready for the bathroom!
5. Air them out after use
Lynsey: After using the towels to dry yourself always hang in an aired bathroom, preferably with the window open. Never fold or leave on the floor. Hanging towels keeps the mould and mildew at bay and will keep them fresher for longer. Also, ideally have a separate washing basket for towels. This way they don’t pick up colours from other garments or extra germs.
Follow these simple steps and you will find that your towels are fluffier and softer for longer.
Lynsey, Queen of Clean x
For more tried and tested cleaning tips like these why not take a peek at Lynsey's blog, https://queenofclean.blog/
