Yes, wash your Turkish beach towel once before its first use, because Turkish cotton reaches its full softness and absorbency only after the first wash. Fresh off the loom the weave sits a little flat and crisp, and that first cycle is what wakes the fibers up.
Turkish towels are flat-woven from long-staple cotton, which is why they pack small and dry fast. That same flat weave feels smooth rather than plush when it is brand new. Run it through one wash and the fibers relax and bloom, so the towel comes out softer and noticeably thirstier than it went in. NIXY weaves its towels to grow more absorbent with each wash, and the first one gives you most of that jump.
There is a right way to do it. Wash cold on a gentle cycle, and skip the fabric softener. Softener coats the cotton and works against absorbency, which is the opposite of what you want from a towel, and Turkish cotton softens on its own with plain washing. Line dry or tumble on low. Because the colors can be vivid, run the first wash on its own or with like shades so no dye transfers.
To be clear, you can use it straight out of the package if you are heading out the door. It will still dry you off. It just will not feel as soft or soak up as much as it will after a wash or two, so the first cycle is about getting the best out of the towel rather than a rule you cannot skip.
The Carnival Turkish Beach Towel at $39 is woven in Turkey from premium cotton that softens and grows more absorbent with each wash, so it only gets better after that first cycle.
Frequently asked questions
How do you wash a Turkish towel for the first time?
Wash it cold on a gentle cycle with no fabric softener, then line dry or tumble on low. Run the first wash separately or with similar colors, since the dye can be vivid when the towel is new.
Why should you skip fabric softener on Turkish towels?
Fabric softener coats the cotton fibers and reduces how much water they can absorb, which works against a towel's whole job. Turkish cotton softens naturally the more you wash it, so it does not need softener to feel good.
Do Turkish towels get softer over time?
Yes. Turkish cotton relaxes and blooms with each wash, so the towel gets softer and more absorbent the longer you own it, rather than wearing out the way a thick terry towel can.
0 comments