How to Keep Your Towels Hotel-White on a Budget

How on earth do hotels keep their towels so white? Serious question! Soft, fluffy hotel towels often appear so clean and fresh that it makes you wonder, "Are these brand new?" Because with women washing off full faces of makeup, messy kids, and travelers using layers of self-tanner, many travelers want to know what's the secret.

After a post went viral posing this same question, people from various hospitality positions chimed in to answer. So how do hotels keep their towels so white? These are the strategies they shared:

High-Temperature Washing

One of the reasons hotels are becoming the accommodation of choice again is their consistent standard of cleanliness and quality, especially compared to the hit-or-miss experiences on Airbnb. For example, hotels often provide high-quality white towels and linens, adding a touch of comfort and luxury to guests' stay.

To achieve bright white towels, hotels use extremely high temperatures during washing, effectively breaking down stains, removing oils, and killing bacteria. The high heat also enhances the effectiveness of detergents and dissolves residues.

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That said, that's probably why Airbnb towels are often dingy and smell musky, and nice hotels feel substantial and perfectly absorbent. If hosts self-launder, they likely wash apartment towels on a fast cycle with cold water for efficiency and to save money. Soft white towels are the pinnacle of good hospitality, offering luxury and comfort that makes guests feel pampered and well-cared for.

Strong Commercial Detergents

Hotels use powerful commercial detergents, often with whitening agents, to keep towels bright and clean. These high-quality, commercial-grade detergents are more effective than household varieties. Bleach is not commonly used as it tends to yellow fabrics, not whiten them.

People who have mastered brilliantly white towels at home recommend this: no bleach, but rather a ½ cup white distilled vinegar, a powdered detergent, Oxy Clean White Revive, and hot water. Many people shared that powder detergent is getting harder to find in stores with liquid soap being pushed to consumers.

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Liquid Bluing

Bluing in laundry is used to counteract yellowing and brighten white fabrics. It involves adding a small amount of diluted blue dye, called a bluing agent, to the wash water.

The blue tint neutralizes yellowish tones, making whites appear brighter and whiter. It’s often used with regular laundry detergents for an extra boost in maintaining the whiteness of clothing.

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Separate Washing

Towels are washed separately from colored items to prevent dye transfer, ensuring they stay white. Similar to how you never mix colored clothing with your white shirts.

Frequent Washing Routine

Hotels wash their towels frequently, preventing stains from setting in and keeping them looking fresh. Laundry attendants have admitted that they often have to pick off long hairs and pubic hair with gloved hands.

If the stain does not come out after one regular wash and one deep wash, then it is thrown away. One hospitality worker commented that hotels order more towels than they would like to admit.

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Black Makeup Towels

Some hotels provide soft black cotton makeup washcloths to prevent regular white towels from getting stained, keeping them looking pristine. For one mother with three teenage girls, this tip proves especially helpful in maintaining a clean and fresh appearance for her towels.

Commercial Washers

Commercial washing machines hotels use often have advanced settings and capabilities that provide a more thorough and effective cleaning process than typical home washers.

Being able to replicate clean, white towels at home adds a touch of luxury to everyday life, whether you're hosting guests or simply enjoying a bit of pampering. It brings the same high-quality experience you’d expect from a hotel right into your own space.

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