Material file · Home textiles
Towels: what it can take
Covers cotton bath towels, hand towels and face cloths. Soaking is allowed, which gives enzymes and oxygen bleach time to work without scrubbing.
- Water
- Yes
- Max temperature
- 60 °C (140 °F)
- Rubbing
- Gently
- Stain files
- 23
01 What it is
It is machine- or hand-washable, so treatments can be rinsed out properly.
The fibre in towels is cellulose (plant fibre such as cotton, linen or viscose), which tolerates most household cleaners, warm water and enzymes.
It comes in white and in colours; what is safe on white cotton is not always safe on coloured.
02 House rules
- Soaking is allowed, which gives enzymes and oxygen bleach time to work without scrubbing.
- It tolerates hot water (up to about 60 °C (140 °F)) for the final wash, but only after any protein has been rinsed out cold.
03 Field notes
- Terry loops hold far more product than flat cotton, so makeup and self-tanner sit deep in the pile: soak rather than scrub.
- Benzoyl peroxide acne products bleach coloured towels permanently; it is a bleach, not a stain.
04 Every cleaner, rated
| Cleaner | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Acetone | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Baking soda | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Borax | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Chlorine bleach | Test first | Only for white cotton with a care label that allows bleach; never on coloured items. |
| Citrus adhesive remover | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Cornstarch | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Dish soap | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Bio detergent | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Enzyme cleaner | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Hot water | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Household ammonia | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Hydrogen peroxide 3% | Test first | Fine on white cotton; on coloured items it can lighten the dye, so test a hidden spot first. |
| Lemon juice | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Oxalic acid cleanser | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Oxygen bleach | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Rubbing alcohol | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Steam cleaner | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| White vinegar | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| WD-40 | Avoid | Not recommended as a home laundry stain treatment; use a fabric-labelled pretreatment instead. |
| Magic eraser | Never | It shreds and pills fabric fibres. |
05 Stains on towels
| Stain | Difficulty | Never |
|---|---|---|
| Benzoyl peroxide bleach marks | Specialist | The dryer |
| Bleach spots | Specialist | Vinegar or ammonia, Mixing bleach |
| Hair dye | Specialist | Hot water, Waiting |
| Mildew and mould spots | Tough | The dryer, Mixing bleach |
| Nail polish | Tough | Rubbing, Acetone on acetate |
| Self-tanner and fake tan | Tough | Hot water, Waiting |
| Turmeric and curry | Tough | Hot water, The dryer |
| Baby poop | Stubborn | Hot water, The dryer |
| Lipstick | Stubborn | Rubbing, Hot water |
| Mascara and eyeliner | Stubborn | Rubbing, Hot water |
| Red wine | Stubborn | Hot water, Salt as a stain-removal substitute |
| Rust | Stubborn | Chlorine bleach, The dryer |
| Sunscreen | Stubborn | Chlorine bleach, The dryer |
| Urine (pets and people) | Stubborn | Chlorine bleach, Ammonia |
| Vomit (pets and people) | Stubborn | Hot water, Vacuuming |
| Blood | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Breast milk | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Coffee | Manageable | Hot water, Bar soap |
| Foundation and concealer | Manageable | Rubbing, Hot water |
| Hair and body oil | Manageable | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Slime | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Tea | Manageable | Hot water, Bar soap |
| Bronzer, blush and eyeshadow | Easy | Water first, Rubbing |
06 The most common mistakes on towels
Counted across all 23 stain files for towels:
- The dryer before it is gone (19 files). Dryer heat locks in whatever is left. Air-dry and check first.
- Hot water (15 files). Heat helps pigments bond to the fibres before you have lifted them.
- Rubbing or scrubbing (10 files). It spreads the stain and grinds it deeper; blot instead.
- Chlorine bleach (4 files). Chlorine bleach can worsen rust-related marks. Use a compatible product labelled for the actual stain and material.
- Bar soap or soap flakes (3 files). True soap is alkaline, and alkalis set tannin stains such as wine, coffee, tea and fruit.
- Mixing bleach with other cleaners (2 files). Bleach with vinegar, ammonia or acidic cleaners releases toxic gas.
07 What the towels files use most
These are the products the 23 stain files for towels rely on most. Enzyme laundry detergent leads because enzymes act on particular substances: proteases on proteins, amylases on starch and lipases on fats.
08 When to call a professional
Rarely needed.
Specialist-rated stains on towels: benzoyl peroxide bleach marks, bleach spots and hair dye.