• Articles
  • No More Dirty Towels! Two Laundry Hacks for Bright, Fresh Hand Towels

No More Dirty Towels! Two Laundry Hacks for Bright, Fresh Hand Towels

  • Riya Yadav
Facebook Instagram Linkedin
How to wash towel by hand

Table of Contents

Advertisement

Get 20% off on laundry services

Struggling with dingy hand towels that feel damp and look dull? Whether you’re hand‑washing or just want fresher towels between wash days, I’ve got two easy hacks to bring new life to your linens. Packed with practical tips taken straight from two viral Instagram reels, this guide teaches how to wash towel by hand and keep them soft, vibrant, and germ‑free.

1. Charcoal Boost for Deodorized Towels

One of the most popular Instagram hacks shows a DIY method using plain charcoal,  yes, the same stuff from your BBQ!

How to Wash Towel by Hand with Charcoal:

  • Start by submerging your towels in warm water.

     

  • Add a few pieces of activated charcoal or simple charred wood.

     

  • Let it soak for 30 minutes.

     

  • Give the towels a good squeeze and rinse until water runs clear.

     

  • Hang dry or tumble dry on low heat.

     

Why it works: Charcoal is a natural deodorizer that absorbs odors and brightens fabric, making your towels fresh again without harsh chemicals.

Advertisement

Get 20% off on laundry services

2. Salt Soak for Softness & Brightness

The next reel features a simple salt soak that restores toweling softness and whiteness in two steps.

How to Wash Towel by Hand with Salt:

  • Fill a basin with hot water.

  • Dissolve ½ cup of table salt and stir.

  • Soak your towels for an hour.

  • Rinse thoroughly until all salt is gone.

  • Hang or machine dry as usual.

Benefits: Salt acts like a gentle fabric softener and helps maintain towel fluffiness by preventing fiber damage. For white towels, it also aids in removing dinginess.

Why These Hacks Work Wonders

  • Natural & Chemical-Free: No need for bleach or fabric softeners.

  • Eco-Friendly & Budget-Friendly: Use everyday pantry or grill items.

  • Hand‑Wash Friendly: Perfect if you’re washing towels without a machine.

Bonus Tips for Bright, Soft Towels

Use these tips with either hack for extra boost:

  • Rinse towels twice in clean water before drying.

  • Shake towels out before hanging to fluff fibers.

  • Avoid fabric softener in regular washes—it can reduce absorbency.

  • Always use warm or hot water for sanitizing.

How to Wash Towel by Hand: Quick Summary

  1. Choose your hack: Charcoal for odors or Salt for softness.

  2. Soak in warm water with your additive.

  3. Wait 30–60 minutes.

  4. Rinse well until water runs clear.

  5. Dry fully to prevent mildew.

By following these simple, machine‑free methods, you’ll get towels that feel soft, smell fresh, and look brand-new. So, say goodbye to stale, rough towels — and hello to fluffy, clean comfort!

How to Make Towels Soft Again Without Fabric Softener

Many fabric softeners reduce towel absorbency over time. Natural methods like vinegar, salt, and baking soda help soften towels without harming fibers.

Try this method once a month:

  • Soak towels in warm water + ½ cup vinegar + 2 tbsp baking soda.

  • Rinse well and dry.
     This combo restores softness and removes mildew smell too!

Best Way to Clean Hand Towels Between Machine Washes

Hand towels are used more frequently than bath towels, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Here’s how to keep them fresh between deep cleans:

  • Use the charcoal soak method weekly.

  • Hang towels to dry in the sun daily.

  • Don’t use towels for more than 2 days without washing.

  • Avoid hanging damp towels in closed spaces — always use a ventilated hook or rack.

By maintaining a quick cleaning routine, you can prevent odors and bacteria buildup effectively.

How to Remove Towel Odor Naturally

If your towels smell sour even after washing, you’re not alone. Here’s how to fix it without harsh chemicals:

Natural Odor Removal Hacks:

  • Soak towels in hot water + 1 cup vinegar for 30 minutes.

     

  • Rinse and then soak in water + lemon juice or baking soda.

     

  • Dry towels outdoors in direct sunlight for antibacterial effect.

     

These methods are perfect for people with sensitive skin or allergies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Towels by Hand

Even with the right techniques, a few small mistakes can undo all your effort. Here’s what to avoid:

  • Using too much detergent – it can leave residue and make towels stiff.

  • Washing in cold water only – doesn’t kill bacteria or remove oils properly.

  • Skipping rinsing steps – leftover soap or salt can cause buildup.

  • Drying in damp areas – leads to musty smells and mildew.

Avoiding these mistakes ensures your towels stay fresh, fluffy, and hygienic!

Conclusion

With these easy, affordable hacks, you no longer need to settle for musty, stiff hand towels. Learning how to wash towel by hand with natural ingredients like charcoal and salt keeps your towels fresh, soft, and long-lasting. Add in a few bonus care tips, and your towel game will never be the same.

Advertisement

Get 20% off on laundry services

Advertisement

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not necessarily purport to reflect the values or views of Tumbledry.

Subscribe to us:

Sign up to get more such information & get the best deals on professional cleaning

Useful Links

Contact Us

Facebook Instagram Linkedin Youtube

schedule Free Pick Up

Our 7 Step Process For Spotless Shining Shoes!

Seven Step Process 2

Try it once to feel the difference

Schedule Pickup

  • Inspection

    Shoe material analyzed to decide the cleaning methodology.

  • Dismantling

    The laces, sole, and other removable parts are separated to be cleaned individually.

  • Deep Cleaning & Stain Removal

    Any spots or stains are removed with German organic chemicals.

  • Deodorize (Anti-bacterial Treatment)

    All the bacteria, viruses and bad odor is eliminated.

  • Drying

    Shoes are Air Dried, Blow Dried, or Sun Dried depending on the skin type.

  • Shoe Nourishment

    Shoe skin is nourished & enriched with our unique natural oil based polish

  • Assembly

    Once polish is dried, our experts reassemble all shoe parts and pack them for delivery.

Try it once to feel the difference

Schedule Pickup
Back

Carpet Cleaning

Carpet Dry Cleaning Service by Tumbledry

An intense, deep-cleaning of carpets to restore their original glory

We specialize in dry cleaning of Persian rugs, silk & Turkish carpets, and all other premium, imported rugs of nylon, wool, cotton, polyester and olefin.

  • 100% carpet fabric color & luster preserved
  • Eco-friendly, pet and child-safe detergents
  • Anti germ treatment & deodorization
  • Mold damage reversal
  • Complimentary border pasting
Schedule Free Pickup
Back

WOOLENS DRY CLEANING​

shutterstock 1658641876

Our Woolmark approved Lagoon system is the world’s most advanced and eco-friendly technology for dry cleaning woolen garments – sweaters, coats, furs, shawls, pashmina, and jackets.

Your woolen garments will be delivered stain free, and will retain their original texture, smoothness, fluffiness, shape & size. Our advanced systems and processes ensure zero shrinkage.

For expensive and delicate woolens like furs & pashmina, we use special eco-friendly chemicals from Germany which are of neutral ph, and form a protective covering around wool fiber to maintain its shine & lustre after dry cleaning.

Schedule Free Pickup
Back

CURTAIN CLEANING​

curtain dry cleaning and laundry service

Premium curtain dry cleaning service service with facility to remove the curtains from rods and install them back after dry cleaning.

  • Processing as per curtain fabric type (silk, velvet, blackout etc)
  • Zero shrinkage guaranteed with our Italian technology
  • 99% stain removal promise
  • 100% shine & lustre maintained with our German organic chemicals
  • Crisp, wrinkle free steam iron
  • Complimentary curtain ring replacement
Schedule Free Pickup
Back

Leather Dry Cleaning

Leather Dry Cleaning at Tumbledry

Professional leather dry cleaning for jackets, bags, purses, clutches, wallets, belts, shoes, boots and stilettos.

Protect your leather items from dirt, dust, oil stains, perspiration, dehydration, mold & mildew.

Our expert leather care technicians inspect each item with utmost care to assess the color, shade, and type of leather, and accordingly decide the most appropriate treatment.

Complimentary conditioning and polishing to ensure smooth & shining finish

Schedule Free Pickup
Back

Shoes/Bag Cleaning & Restoration

shutterstock 400663813 e1634736771725

Experts in dry cleaning of Sports, Canvass, Leather, Suede, Nubuck Shoes, Sneakers, Boots, Sandals and Canvass, Jute, Leather & Suede Bags

    • Gentle chemicals and conditioners to maintain the color & fabric.
    • Mink & Lanolin Oil Nourishment
    • Spotless cleaning of laces, straps, insoles, and inner lining
    • Disinfection with our German deodorizers

Following Restoration Services are also available:

    • Sole pasting
    • Inner sole replacement
    • Damaged collar replacement
    • Inner lining replacement
    • Heel replacement
    • Sole replacement
    • Re coloring
    • Laces replacement
Schedule Free Pickup
Back

Haute CouturE Dry CleaniNG

Men Dry Cleaning 4 min

Want to restore the glory of your haute couture? Look no further than Tumbledry!

We have a separate team of processing experts who handle your most expensive silk, bridal & designer wear for dry cleaning. Each Haute Couture article is given a customized treatment in our state of the art dry cleaning facility.

Our team has more than a decade experience of dry cleaning most delicate and expensive silk sarees, including: Banarasi silk, Kanjivaram/Kanchipuram silk, Baluchari silk, Bomkai silk, Tussar silk, Chanderi silk, Dharmavaram silk, Banglori silk, Mysore silk, and Patola silk.

Be it Manish Malhotra, Tarun Tahiliani, Masaba Gupta, or Sabyasachi Mukherjee – we have got tons of experience dry cleaning fashion articles from most popular designer houses. We understand the nuances of the make and design, as well as the fabric structure used by these designer houses – and this enables us to give the perfect treatment to these haute couture articles

Schedule Free Pickup