How to Wash Turkish Towels (and Make Them Softer Every Time)

To wash Turkish towels, machine wash them in cool or warm water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent, skip the fabric softener, and line dry or tumble dry on low. Wash them a few times before you judge them, because cotton flat weaves get noticeably softer and more absorbent with each wash. That is really the whole secret, but the details below will help your towels look great for years.

We wash a lot of Turkish towels here in Santa Barbara, between beach days, salt water, sunscreen, and sandy dogs. These are the habits we have found that work.

Before the first use: wash it

New Turkish towels can feel a little crisp, and they may not seem very absorbent straight out of the package. That is normal. Cotton fibers are tight when they come off the loom, and a first wash helps them relax and start opening up.

• Wash your new towel on its own or with similar colors.
• Use cool or warm water and a small amount of mild detergent.
• Dry it, then use it. Expect it to keep improving over the next several washes.

Some people like to soak a new towel in cool water for a few hours before the first wash to help the fibers along. It is optional, but it can speed things up.

Why it gets softer over time

Unlike towels that are coated with softening finishes at the factory, a flat-woven cotton towel earns its softness through use and washing. Each cycle loosens the fibers a little more, so the towel becomes more supple and drinks up water more readily. That is why a well-loved Turkish towel often feels even better than a brand-new one.

Everyday washing

Water temperature and cycle

Cool or warm water on a gentle or normal cycle works well for most Turkish towels. Very hot water is not necessary for everyday cleaning and can be harder on bright colors over time. Always check the care label on your specific towel, since blends and special finishes can vary.

Detergent: less is more

Use a mild detergent and use less than you think. Too much soap can leave residue in the weave, which makes towels feel stiff and less absorbent.

Skip the fabric softener

Fabric softener and dryer sheets coat cotton fibers. That coating can make a towel feel slick at first, but it reduces absorbency, which is the opposite of what you want. If your towels ever feel stiff, a cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle is a common home remedy that many people use instead.

Separate colors at first

Deep or saturated colors can release some dye in the first few washes. Wash darks and brights with similar colors until you know how they behave. Avoid chlorine bleach on colored towels.

Do not overload the machine

Towels need room to move so the water and detergent can get through the fabric. A packed drum also makes fringe more likely to tangle.

Drying Turkish towels

This is where Turkish towels really shine. Because they are woven flat, they dry quickly.

Method	Best for	Tips
Line or rack dry	Everyday care, keeping colors bright	Shake the towel out first; avoid leaving brights in harsh direct sun for days
Tumble dry low	A softer, fluffier feel	Remove promptly to reduce wrinkles; skip dryer sheets
Over a chair or rail	Between uses at the beach or pool	Spread it open so air reaches the whole towel

A short tumble on low after line drying is a nice trick if you like the breeze-dried freshness but want a little extra softness.

Caring for fringe and tassels

The hand-knotted fringe is part of what makes a Turkish towel beautiful, and it only needs a little attention.

• Use a mesh laundry bag for towels with long fringe or tassels, like the Portofino Tassel Towel, to keep them from tangling with other laundry.
• Comb fringe with your fingers while the towel is still damp to straighten it out.
• Trim, do not pull. If a stray thread pops loose, snip it with scissors rather than tugging it.
• Avoid zippers and hooks in the same load, since they can snag the weave.

Dealing with stains

Beach life brings its own kinds of stains. Treat them as soon as you can.

Sunscreen and oils

Sunscreen is the most common culprit we see. Work a drop of gentle dish soap into the spot, let it sit for a few minutes, then wash as usual. Check that the stain is gone before drying, since heat can set it.

Sand and salt water

Shake the towel out well before washing. One of the nice things about a flat weave is that sand does not get trapped the way it does in terry loops. Rinse salt water out when you get home so the towel does not dry stiff.

Food, wine, and makeup

Rinse from the back of the fabric with cool water, then pretreat with a stain remover suited to cotton and wash. Always spot test on a hidden corner first.

Storing your Turkish towels

• Make sure towels are completely dry before folding to avoid a musty smell.
• Fold in thirds or roll them. Rolled towels look lovely in a basket and take up little space.
• Keep them somewhere with a little airflow rather than a damp bag.
• Keep a couple in your car or beach tote so you are always ready.

Care for the rest of your Riviera favorites

The same basic approach works across most of what we make. Our Essential Turkish Towel, the Essential Bathrobe, and our hand and tea towels all do well with gentle washing, little detergent, and no fabric softener. For blankets and throws, like the Whistler Fleece Wrap Throw, follow the care label on the item since fleece and woven cotton have different needs.

You can find our quick-reference version in Riviera Towel wash and care tips. And if you are ready to add to your stack, browse the Classic collection.

Frequently asked questions

Should I wash a Turkish towel before using it?

Yes. Washing a new Turkish towel before the first use helps the cotton fibers relax so the towel becomes softer and more absorbent. It will keep improving over the next several washes.

Can you put Turkish towels in the dryer?

Yes, tumble dry on low and remove them promptly. Line drying is also great because flat-woven towels dry quickly and it helps keep colors bright.

Why is my Turkish towel not absorbent?

New towels often need a few washes before they reach full absorbency. Fabric softener, dryer sheets, and too much detergent can also coat the fibers, so skip the softener and use less soap.

How do I keep the fringe from tangling?

Wash towels with long fringe or tassels in a mesh laundry bag, avoid overloading the machine, and smooth the fringe with your fingers while it is still damp. Trim any loose threads instead of pulling them.

How do I get sunscreen out of a Turkish towel?

Work a little gentle dish soap into the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then wash as usual. Check that the stain is gone before drying, because heat can set it.

Questions about caring for a specific towel? Stop by our shop at 17 W. Gutierrez St. in Santa Barbara or call us at 805-560-1571. We offer free shipping on orders over $95, and 5% of our net profits go to organizations that heal and protect the ocean, with $76,439.30 donated so far.