Tamika Campbell-Small, Contributor

Campbell-Small

Bath towels may be the hardest working items in a household. After all, towels and wash cloths keep us clean, add to the decor of the bathroom and, occasionally, wipe up after pets track mud into the house. However, despite their versatility, towels are often underappreciated, with many people putting little thought into which type they buy. But with a little more knowledge, towels can look, last and perform better.

When laundering towels, machine wash similar colours in warm water. Always wash dark colours separately and avoid chlorine bleach. Tumble drying will enhance the softness of towels. Remove dry towels promptly from the dryer, shake them out, and fold.

Do NOT use fabric softeners or dryer sheets on bath towels! Washing in fabric softener coats the terry fibres with silicone, and will actually make towels less absorbent. To freshen towels and keep them smelling sweet, add a half cup of baking soda to the wash cycle. You'll end up with extra-fresh smelling towels.

If you're hanging your towels outdoors to dry, shake them out before hanging, and shake them again before folding. This fluffs up the terry fibres, making the towels soft and absorbent again. During summer's humid months, don't let wet towels hang in the bathroom all day. Toss them in the dryer for five or 10 minutes for speed drying. Then hang them up, and they'll dry in an hour or two. Remember that towels need more frequent laundering in Jamaica's warm, humid weather.

Bath towels of all types will look fresher and last longer if they are cared for properly. Manufacturers often coat new towels in a special fabric softener, which means the towels look extra fluffy and soft on the shelf but don't absorb water well when you first bring them home. In addition, it's best to wash your new towels before first use to remove excess dye.

For the very first wash, add a cup of vinegar to the wash cycle. This will help to set the colour and prevent fading, especially of deep tones. While a tumble in the dryer assures a fluffy towel, you don't want to overdo it. The heat from the dryer can really damage fibres. Try using a lower heat setting, or alternate between air and heat drying.

Dark and brightly coloured towels should be washed separately. For your special, more expensive towels, using Woolite or another gentle detergent will keep them fluffy longer.

Contact: Tamika Campbell-Small, Executive Housekeeping & Laundry, 48 Burbank Avenue. Phone: 924-1721 or email: executive.housekeeping@yahoo.com. Website: www.executive-housekeeping.com.