Care for Towels and Linens

Keep linens fresh and towels fluffy with simple care tips from Martha.

To prevent pilling, start with towels made from quality fibers. Look for 100 percent Egyptian or pima cotton, which have long fibers and are less likely to produce lint, which results in pills. Combed cotton, which has thread that is combed before being spun to remove the shorter fibers that form pills, is another option. When caring for towels, keep in mind that pills result from long fibers rubbing against short fibers. This sort of contact occurs mostly in the wash, so laundering towels on their own should help. Overdrying can weaken fibers and lead to pilling, so don't dry towels for longer than necessary.

Often you'll find the manufacturer's label on the top or bottom, near the corner of the sheet. If your sheets don't have labels, you can make your own and attach them to the top center of each fitted sheet so it's easy to lay it out correctly when making your bed. Sew a brightly colored loop of machine-washable trim, such as grosgrain ribbon, bias tape, or twill tape to each sheet, securing it at the elastic edge. Alternatively, mark the elastic at the center of one end with a fabric pen.

Although the airy scent is a plus, line-dried towels can feel stiff. Try using less detergent, especially if you soften your water. Or add 1/4 cup of white vinegar or baking soda to the wash (the vinegar smell dissipates during the rinse cycle). Before hanging each towel, and again once it's dry, shake it firmly -- you should hear a sharp snap. Drape one short end over the line so it overlaps by several inches, and then clip. Towels hung this way dry faster and have fewer wrinkles. If these steps don't produce fluffier results, toss the towels in the dryer while still a bit damp, for about five minutes.