How to Care for Your Turkish Towels to Maximize Softness

If you’ve recently purchased your first Turkish towels, or you’ve been using them for a while and wondering why they aren’t as soft as when you first bought them, you’re not alone. Unlike most towels on the market, Turkish cotton towels are made with long-staple cotton, handwoven techniques, and natural fibers that require thoughtful care. The good news? Maintaining their softness and longevity is simple—once you know the right steps.

With over 15 years of experience working with handcrafted, organic Turkish towels, I’ll walk you through exactly how to care for them, from the first soak to daily use, so they remain as plush and absorbent as the day they arrived.

I. Why Turkish Towels Need Special Care

Turkish towels are not your average towel. Ours are made from Bergama-grown Turkish cotton, handwoven on traditional shuttle looms by artisans in Turkey. The long cotton fibers give the towel a softer texture and greater durability. Over time, with proper care, they become softer, not thinner—a rarity among textiles.

However, that same natural structure that gives them durability and elegance also makes them vulnerable to damage when treated like mass-produced towels. Fabric softeners, high heat, and heavy detergents can ruin what makes them special.

II. Understand the Material: What Makes Turkish Cotton Unique

Before we dive into the care instructions, it's important to know what you’re caring for.

Turkish towels are typically made using either:

• Looped towels – like bath towels, with thousands of small loops (ours have up to 1250 loops per square inch)
  

• Flat-woven towels, also called peshtemals or hammam towels – lightweight, quick-dry, and compact
  

Both are made with long-staple cotton, which means the fibers are longer and more durable. That’s why Turkish towels:

• Absorb water more efficiently
  

• Dry faster
  

• Get softer with 
  

• Last longer when treated right
  

III. Before First Use: The Cold Water Soak

This step is not optional. One of the biggest mistakes new owners make is using their Turkish towels straight out of the box. To unlock their full absorbency and softness, you need to soak them before the first wash.

✅ How to do it:

1. Fill a tub or deep basin with cold water (no soap or detergent)
   

2. Submerge your towel completely
   

3. Let it soak for 12 to 24 hours
   

4. Wring out gently and air dry flat
   

Why it works: Turkish towels are tightly woven. This initial soak helps the cotton fibers "bloom," increasing softness and improving water absorption from day one.

If skipped, it could take several washes for your towel to feel as soft and effective as it should.

IV. Washing Your Turkish Towels: Do's and Don’ts

Once your towel is soaked and dried, you’re ready for regular washing. But unlike synthetic towels or terry cloth, Turkish cotton needs less intervention, not more.

✅ Best practices:

• Wash in cold or warm water (30°C to 40°C max)
  

• Use gentle, natural detergent
  

• Wash similar colors together
  

• Use a delicate cycle
  

❌ Avoid:

• Bleach – breaks down natural cotton fibers
  

• Fabric softeners – they coat the towel, reducing softness
  

• Harsh detergents – no heavy-duty formulas
  

• Overloading the washer – give the towels space to rinse
  

A general rule of thumb: if the detergent is scented or filled with chemicals, it’s probably too harsh for your Turkish towels.

V. Drying: The Step That Makes or Breaks Softness

This step is where many go wrong.

Turkish towels, especially the thicker looped varieties, do well when air dried, as it maintains fiber integrity and prevents shrinking. But there’s flexibility if you're in a rush.

✅ Ideal method:

• Hang dry in fresh air or on a flat surface
  

• If using a dryer, use low heat or air-dry setting
  

❌ Avoid:

• High heat dryers
  

• Dryer sheets (they coat fibers like softeners)
  

• Over-drying (makes towels stiff and rough)
  

When cared for properly, the softness improves with every wash. A stiff towel usually signals residue build-up—too much detergent or heat.

VI. Long-Term Maintenance Tips

Once you’ve washed and dried them right, keeping your Turkish towels in top condition is simple.

Pro tips from 15 years in the field:

• Rotate your towels – don’t overuse just one
  

• Avoid hanging in damp bathrooms for long periods (mildew risk)
  

• Re-soak every 3–6 months to refresh fibers
  

• Don’t iron – it flattens loops and affects absorption
  

• Store folded in dry, breathable shelves (not vacuum-sealed bags)
  
  

This applies to peshtemals as well. Though lighter, they benefit from the same thoughtful care.

🔗 Discover our organic peshtemal towel collection

VII. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s summarize the most frequent issues that reduce softness:

Avoid these, and your towels will remain soft and beautiful for years.

VIII. Final Thoughts: Respect the Craft, Enjoy the Reward

At the end of the day, caring for your Turkish towels is about preserving quality craftsmanship. These aren’t factory-made towels—each one is handwoven, artisan-made, and designed to improve over time with care.

Every soak, gentle wash, and air dry helps maintain the quality that our weavers worked so hard to create.

It’s not just about softness. It’s about respecting the material, the maker, and the timeless beauty of a towel that’s meant to last.

🔗 Browse our full collection of handwoven Turkish cotton towels

👣 Ready to Explore More?

Want to see the difference Turkish towels can make in your daily routine?
 Take a look at our curated sets for bath, spa, and travel—crafted for softness that only improves with time.