Why You Should Know How to Care for Your Sun Towel
Knowing how to take care of your sun towel is a skill that too many overlook. Overlooking it means you’ll have to keep buying new ones when you don’t have to.
But if you know how to take care of your sun towel, here’s how you make your life easier
1. Your Sun Towel Will Lasts Longer
Linen is naturally strong, but with the right care, your sun towel can last for years without thinning out or fraying. Simple habits like washing with care and drying it properly keep the fibers intact and prevent early wear and tear.
2. Your Sun Towel Will Keep You Safe
Even though linen is naturally antibacterial, that doesn’t mean it’s invincible. If it’s constantly exposed to sunscreen, sweat, or the sea, it can collect buildup that irritates your skin or, in rare cases, even harbor bacteria. Regular care ensures it stays clean and safe.
3. Your Sun Towel Will Look Better
A well-cared-for sun towel keeps its color, shape, and elegant look. It won’t become stiff, faded, or wrinkled beyond repair. If you’re using it for beach days, pool lounging, or even photos, keeping it in good condition means it always looks beautiful.
4. You Get More Out of Your Sun Towel
Whether you’re wrapping it around your shoulders, laying it out like a mat, or using it as a scarf or shawl, taking care of it means it stays soft, stylish, and versatile.
Venice Striped Linen Sun Towel Blanket
How Often Should You Wash Your Sun Towel?
You should wash your sun towel every other use, unless it’s noticeably dirty or has a strong smell (then wash it now).
Since you’re often using it after swimming, sunbathing, or lounging outdoors, it picks up oils from your skin, sunscreen residue, and outdoor particles you may not even notice.
If there’s a small stain, you can spot clean it while it’s still damp by gently dabbing then rinsing.
But if the stain is larger or has soaked through, go ahead and toss it in for a proper wash.
Washing regularly helps your towel:
- Stay fresh and soft instead of stiff or musty.
- Avoid lingering bacteria that can grow even on antibacterial fabrics, especially after sitting damp for hours.
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Maintain its color and overall appearance so it looks just as good next summer.
Think of it like a favorite shirt, it doesn’t always look dirty, but regular care keeps it in perfect condition to use.
How to Wash Your Sun Towel Properly
Here’s what you need to know to make sure your sun towel lasts, looks good, and stays clean and skin-friendly.
Wash it immediately when it’s time to wash it.
Since it was likely lying on sand, grass, or near the pool, it’s already picked up dirt, oils, and bacteria (as mentioned before).
Don’t let that sit. Give it a shake outdoors first to remove debris,
This keeps sand and dirt out of your home and washing machine. A quick shake saves your washer (and your floors) from a mess.
Wash It In Cold or Lukewarm Water.
High heat can damage the fibres and fade the natural colors of linen.
Why cold or lukewarm?
- Preserves color and prevents fading
- Keeps the towel fibers strong
- Helps the towel absorb water safely
- Prevents shrinkage
- Reduces wrinkling
Avoid Fabric Softeners and Harsh Detergents.
Linen naturally softens with every wash. Harsh products, including softeners and strong chemicals, can strip its texture and weaken the fabric over time.
Use a Gentle Cycle.
Your towel isn’t delicate, but it deserves to be handled with care. A gentle wash keeps it looking crisp and luxurious longer.
Cabana Stripe Linen Sun Towel Blanket
Drying Your Linen Sun Towel the Right Way
How you dry your linen sun towel can make a big difference in how long it lasts and how good it looks.
1. Avoid Direct Sunlight
Even though it’s tempting to dry your towel under the sun, too much sunlight can wear down the natural linen fibers and cause fading. It’s best to keep it in a shaded area to protect its softness and color.
2. Skip the Dryer
While it might be faster, dryers can be too rough on linen. The high heat breaks down the fibers over time, making the towel feel stiff and shortening its lifespan.
3. Air Dry is Best
The best way to dry your towel is laying it flat on a clean surface or hanging it on a clothesline indoors or in the shade. Letting it dry naturally helps preserve its softness and structure.
4. Dealing With Wrinkles?
If your towel has wrinkles, wait until it’s still slightly damp and then gently iron it on a medium heat setting. This keeps it looking smooth and elegant without damaging the fibers.
5. Keep It Flat and Unbunched
If you leave it crumpled, it may dry unevenly or keep creases. Smooth it out before leaving it to dry. This helps it look fresh and keeps its shape.
Storing Your Linen Sun Towel Properly
Taking care of your linen towel doesn’t stop after you wash and dry it. Where and how you store it matters just as much. Storing it the right way can help it last longer and stay fresher between uses.
1. Keep It in a Cool, Dry Place
Linen holds up best in cooler temperatures. If your towel sits in a warm or humid area, it becomes the perfect place for bacteria and mildew to grow, especially if there’s any leftover moisture.
2. Avoid Warm or Humid Environments
A steamy bathroom or a laundry room with poor airflow? Not ideal. Even if the towel is clean, it can slowly collect bacteria just from sitting in the wrong climate.
3. Make Sure There’s Some Ventilation
It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just make sure there’s some airflow.
This could mean storing it on an open shelf, inside a linen closet that’s not jam-packed, or in a drawer that gets opened every now and then. The key is to avoid completely sealed-off spaces where moisture can get trapped.
How to Choose the Best Beach Towel
Start With The Fabric.
If you want a beach towel that lasts more than just one summer, you need one made from high-quality materials like pure linen.
Linen is the one fabric that gets softer as time goes on and stays strong
These fabrics don’t just feel better, they dry faster, last longer, and hold up amazingly over time, even with repeated use in sand and sun.
Consider Who’s Making It.
Even if you find a great fabric, you need to find a company that knows how to work with that fabric.
There are a lot of brands out there selling “authentic” towels, but very few that have been doing it right for over a century like we have.
Ferguson Irish Linen has been crafting quality linens for more than 170 years, and we don’t cut corners. With 170+ years of experience, you learn the best items are the ones that were actually made with care.
So if you’re choosing a towel for the summer, choose one that’s made to last—and made by people who know how to make it last.
