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How To Deep Clean Towels (Easy Laundry Stripping Recipe)

If you’re looking to deep clean your towels, I’ve got an easy laundry stripping recipe for you — and it doesn’t require soaking your towels all day in the bathtub.

We all know there is nothing worse than stepping out of the shower to a towel that smells like it sat a little too long in the washer machine, right? Gross.

Each week I deep clean all my towels in one giant load. The load includes all the kitchen dish towels, bathroom hand towels, my make-up remover washcloths, and bath towels. I use this same method on pool towels too. Since we only wash all our towels once a week, we make sure they are completely dry before we throw them in the hamper. 

But before we get down to the laundry stripping process, I want to revisit our hilarious Instagram Bath Towel Discussion. I loved re-reading all the responses on how often you use your bath towels before washing over on Instagram! We try to use our towels a few times before tossing them in the laundry hamper, but inevitably the kids will take their towels to their rooms to get dressed and leave them somewhere along the way…then grab a new towel the next night. So they go through a lot more towels than we do. Laundry Stripping Recipe

Laundry Stripping Recipe Products

Glamorous Diva Laundry Detergent
DIVA GLAMOROUS WASH

Easy Laundry Stripping Recipe

For this deep cleaning method, you do not need to use laundry detergent or fabric softener at all. In fact, I’ve been stripping laundry without powdered laundry detergent for years. But then I was introduced to Glamorous Diva luxury detergent and started using a small amount in the second rinse cycle (the baking soda cycle) and oh my gosh my towels smell absolutely incredible. This detergent is pricier than my regular detergent but I promise it is worth every penny…and will last a while as it is highly concentrated. I discovered this heavenly detergent back last December when April gifted it at our Community Group Favorite Things Party with the suggestion to use it on our own clothes (not the kids’ dirty socks and underwear), sheets, and towels! Solid advice. While it’s not the cheapest detergent, a little goes a LONG way! 

Quick disclaimer & story: This is a VERY strong fragrance and you will either love or HATE it. So start with a small bottle, maybe even split one with a friend to try. I was so excited to wash our sheets the very next day after receiving this detergent that I actually decided to clean out the washing machine filter just before using it. After throwing the sheets in the wash on the extra-long deep clean cycle, I sat on back-to-back calls the rest of the afternoon only to find my laundry room was completely FLOODED when I returned to flip the wash. Apparently, I had not screwed the filter back in all the way so the water just poured right out all over the floor for 90 minutes. Anywayyyyyyy, the fragrance was SO strong that my ENTIRE house smelled like this laundry detergent for DAYS! When Matt walked into the house that evening (not knowing about the flood), he could not stop raving about the fragrance! 

How to Deep Clean Towels - Laundry Stripping Recipe

How to Deep Clean Towels - Laundry Stripping Recipe

There is nothing worse than stepping out of the shower to a towel that smells like it sat a little too long in the washer machine! Every week I deep clean all my towels in one giant load. Here's how...

Materials

  • 1 Cup White Vinegar
  • 1/2 Cup Baking Soda
  • 1/4 cup Glamorous Diva Wash (optional, but highly recommend)

Instructions

    1. Wash your towels in hot water with one cup of vinegar (only).

    2. Wash towels in hot water again with 1/2 cup of baking soda (sprinkle the powder directly into the wash with the towels) and 1/4 cup Diva Wash.

    3. Throw towels in the dryer. Fold and enjoy!

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

See my Instagram Reel HERE!

Lastly, let’s talk bath towels!

My Favorite Bath Towels

If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know I’m a huge Cozy Earth fan (if you don’t use their bamboo bed sheets…you’re missing out) and their bath towels are heavenly. I’ve tried every style but my favorite are the premium plush are my favorite. Matt prefers the standard size, but I’m a bath sheet-sized type of girl. They are huge (40″x65″) and feel like a luxurious blanket when you get out of the shower.

I genuinely love all my Cozy Earth products and did not get paid to promote them. However, they did offer me a 40% off promo code for my readers. Use code CAROLINACHARM40 at checkout.

Deep Clean Bath Towels
Cozy Earth Bath Towels

Reader Favorite Bath Towels

Here are the top reader recommended bath towels:

Laundry Stripping Recipe
Do you need to soak your towels in the bathtub for this method?

Nope! That is what makes this deep cleaning method SO easy!

What if I want to add a fragrance to my towels?

I highly recommend adding 1/4 cup Glamorous Diva Wash to the second cycle for the most heavenly smelling towels ever.

Does this method require fabric softener?

Nope! It’s a simple recipe — just vinegar and baking soda, with an option to add fragrance.

You'll also love

Sarah

Wednesday 11th of October 2023

Will this work on colored bath towels as well? And if so, how often do you recommend deep cleaning them? I don’t want them to fade but they stink! Lol

jenkins gloria

Friday 4th of August 2023

Nice Article. A Turkish towel, also known as a peshtemal towel, is a type of traditional Turkish textile that is commonly used for bathing and other purposes. These Turkish cotton towels wholesale are woven from natural fibers such as cotton or linen, and they are known for their lightweight, absorbent, and quick-drying properties.

Jen

Thursday 13th of April 2023

Just a friendly reminder that when you mix baking soda and vinegar, the chemical reaction leaves you with nothing more than salt water

Diane

Thursday 6th of July 2023

With her method you are not using the vinegar and baking soda at the same time. One wash is with vinegar only and the second wash is with baking soda and diva wash. I use baking soda and vinegar together to keep my drains clean. The foaming action does a great job.

Samantha Leach

Wednesday 28th of December 2022

Can you use this same method for bed sheets?

Christina

Friday 30th of December 2022

YES! I use this same method on our sheets!

Melody

Tuesday 6th of September 2022

I cannot thank you enough for the Diva wash referral. It is amazing! I have used it since it first appeared in an older post. It is a must for our bedding and towels, even some throw pillows.

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