To keep new towels from shedding everywhere, wash them separately before their first use and dry them thoroughly using the care label as your guide. A few careful wash-and-dry cycles can remove loose fibers and help reduce lint on your skin, clothes, and bathroom surfaces; some shedding may continue for a while, especially with thick or highly textured towels.
Before you start, check the towel’s care label and make sure your washer and dryer are not overloaded. You will need ordinary laundry detergent and access to a washer and dryer, or a suitable place to air-dry the towels. Avoid trying to eliminate shedding with harsh treatments: the goal is to release loose fibers without damaging the fabric.
What You’ll Need
- New towels, separated from lint-sensitive clothing
- Laundry detergent, used according to its label
- A washing machine, or a basin for handwashing if the care label permits it
- A dryer or a clean, well-ventilated place to air-dry
- A lint roller or clothes brush for any fibers left behind
Step-by-Step
- Read the care label. Check the recommended water temperature, washing method, and drying instructions before putting the towels in the machine. Towels can be made from different fibers and finishes, so a setting that suits one towel may not suit another. If the label says to wash separately or gives a specific instruction, follow it. Remove any packaging, hang tags, or loose threads you can safely trim without cutting into the fabric.
- Separate towels from clothes and other laundry. For the first wash, keep new towels together with similar colors and away from garments that attract lint, such as dark clothing, fleece, or knitwear. Do not mix them with items that have hooks or rough fasteners, which can snag loops. If you have only one new towel, wash it with similar sturdy items only if the care labels are compatible; otherwise, wash it on its own.
- Load the washer loosely. Leave room for the towels to move through the water. An overloaded drum can make rinsing less effective and can leave loose lint caught among the fabric. Use a normal cycle suited to the care label, rather than an unusually aggressive setting. Select the water temperature the label recommends; hotter water is not a reliable shortcut for removing shedding and may be unsuitable for some fabrics or colors.
- Use a modest amount of detergent. Measure detergent according to its package directions and adjust for the load size and washer type. Too much detergent can leave residue, while too little may not clean the load well. Do not add fabric softener as a way to stop lint. It can leave a coating on towel fibers and may reduce absorbency. If the towel maker gives a different care instruction, use that guidance.
- Run an extra rinse if the towels feel soapy or the load is linty. An extra rinse can help clear detergent residue and loose fibers from the load. It is not essential for every wash, and it does not repair weak or damaged fabric. Follow the washer’s instructions and avoid adding unnecessary products simply to make the rinse seem more thorough.
- Clean the washer if lint remains inside. After the cycle, check the drum, door seal, and any accessible lint-catching area described in the machine’s manual. Wipe away visible fibers with a damp cloth. If the washer has a cleaning cycle, use it as directed when the machine needs cleaning; do not dismantle parts or reach into a mechanism that the manual says should remain closed.
- Dry the towels separately or with similar items. Follow the towel’s label and clean the dryer lint screen before starting. Use a suitable setting and avoid packing the drum tightly, so air can move around the load. If you are air-drying, shake each towel gently first, then hang it with room for air to circulate. Keep it away from dusty surfaces, which can make clean fabric look linty again.
- Remove shed lint and inspect the result. Once dry, shake the towels outdoors or over a clear area, then check the dryer screen and clean it before the next load. A lint roller or clothes brush can pick up fibers stuck to clothing or upholstery. If a towel is still shedding, repeat a separate wash and dry cycle rather than adding it to a mixed load.
- Return the towels to regular laundry gradually. When shedding has eased, wash them with other towels or sturdy, color-compatible laundry. Keep them away from lint-sensitive garments if they still leave visible fibers. Continue to follow the care label each time; aggressive scrubbing, high heat, or excess detergent can wear the pile and make the problem worse.
Common Mistakes
Washing new towels with dark clothes. Loose fibers can cling to dark fabric and make the whole load look dusty. Separate new towels until they shed less, and check the washer for leftover lint before loading clothes.
Overloading the washer or dryer. Crowded towels may not rinse or dry evenly. Give them room to tumble, and split a large load when necessary. A smaller, properly moving load is more useful than forcing everything into one cycle.
Using lots of detergent or softener. More product does not make towels shed less. Residue can make them feel coated, while softener may reduce their ability to absorb water. Use detergent as directed and skip softener unless the towel’s care instructions specifically recommend it.
Using excessive heat. High heat is not a dependable way to seal fibers in place. It can be unsuitable for the material and may contribute to wear. Choose a dryer setting allowed by the label, or air-dry if that is the recommended method.
Pulling at loops. Towel loops can catch on objects, but tugging a loose loop can damage the pile. Snip a protruding thread carefully with clean scissors, close to the surface, without cutting the surrounding fabric.
Tips
- Wash new towels before using them. This removes loose manufacturing fibers and any ordinary handling dust, while giving you a chance to see how much lint they release.
- Keep colors separate on the first wash, especially if you are unsure whether a towel may release dye. Check the care label for color-care instructions.
- Shake towels before placing them in the dryer or hanging them up. A gentle shake can loosen fibers that are already detached, making them easier to remove before the next load.
- Clean the dryer lint screen after every drying cycle, following the machine’s instructions. A clear screen supports normal airflow and prevents collected lint from being carried into another load.
- Use a clean storage shelf or linen cupboard. Dust and fibers from nearby fabrics can settle on a towel and be mistaken for fresh shedding.
- Expect some lint during early washes, but pay attention to the trend. The amount should generally ease with suitable laundering; persistent, heavy shedding deserves closer inspection.
Troubleshooting
The towel leaves fibers on your skin after washing. Wash it separately again, using the care-label settings and a loose load. Check whether the towel was fully rinsed and dried. If it feels coated or stiff, detergent residue may be involved; use the correct detergent amount and consider an extra rinse on the next wash.
Lint is covering clothes from the same load. Remove visible fibers with a lint roller or clothes brush. Rewash the affected clothes only if needed, and clean the washer drum and dryer lint screen before the next load. Keep the towels separate until they shed less.
The dryer is collecting a large amount of lint each time. Clean the screen before drying and check that the load is not packed tightly. Try a separate load and inspect the towel’s surface for thinning, loose loops, or areas that appear damaged. If heavy lint continues after several careful washes, contact the seller or manufacturer through its ordinary customer-support channel and ask whether the item should be inspected or returned under its applicable policy.
The towel looks fuzzy or has pulled loops. Do not keep pulling at the fabric. Trim only loose threads without cutting the pile, and avoid washing it with items that have hooks, zippers, or rough edges. If the fabric is unraveling or developing bare patches, laundering alone is unlikely to correct the damage.
Air-dried towels still seem dusty. Make sure the drying area and hanging surface are clean, and shake the towel gently before and after drying. Avoid stacking it while damp. If fibers remain attached, use a clothes brush or lint roller rather than rubbing the towel hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times should I wash new towels before using them?
Wash them before first use, then repeat a separate wash if they are still shedding noticeably. There is no fixed number that suits every towel; follow its care label and judge by the amount of loose lint.
Should I wash new towels in hot water?
Not automatically. Use the temperature listed on the care label. Hot water is not required to stop shedding and may be unsuitable for some fibers, dyes, or finishes.
Does vinegar stop towels from shedding?
There is no need to rely on vinegar to solve the problem. Follow the towel and detergent instructions, rinse well when needed, and avoid mixing household products. If the care label recommends a particular treatment, follow that instead.
Can fabric softener prevent towel lint?
Softener is not a dependable fix for shedding and may leave a coating that affects absorbency. Skip it unless the towel’s care instructions say otherwise.
Is towel shedding normal?
A small amount of lint from a new towel can occur as loose fibers come away during early laundering. If shedding remains heavy, increases, or comes with thinning or unraveling, inspect the towel and seek guidance from the seller or manufacturer.
Can I wash new towels with sheets?
Only if the colors and care instructions are compatible and the load has enough room to move. For the first wash, keeping towels separate is the easier way to prevent their lint from sticking to sheets.