Caring For Your Towels
If you keep these simple facts in mind your EcoKnit® Snag Free Towel should last for many years to come.

Towels are used by most people everyday. Have you ever wondered where towels originated and how they are made?

The first towels were shown in the Great Exhibition of 1851 at Crystal Palaceand in the same year a set was presented to Queen Victoria.

Terry cloth or woven towelling is manufactured with extra twisted warp yarns that are held slack during part of the weaving process.

The loops stimulate the skin while removing moisture, in addition to trapping air and thereby maintaining body temperature.

Terry is a definition for a looped pile on a textile product

The most widely used of fibres for towels is cotton - so what is so unique about Cotton than?

Cotton is entirely made up of cellulose.

Cotton fibre is stronger when wet, which makes it ideal for, towels.

Cotton has an incredible ability to absorb moisture up to 27 times its own weight in water.

It can also withstand high temperatures in water and tumble-drying and remarkably can be bent as many as 50,000 times before breaking point.

Polyester on the other hand has greater absorbency than cotton and at the same time has the ability to expel water (dry) far quicker than cotton proving to be the ultimate energy saving material in the laundering process.

Does Polyester put you off?

Well it shouldn’t as its common in Polycotton bed sheets, the same for table linen, duvets, pillows all used within the hospitality industry the world over.

Polyester in EcoKnit® does not come into contact with your skin and it cannot be seen. The pile is 100% cotton and provides excellent absorption properties.

Make sure you start with a quality detergent and a recommended amount for your type of machine load size.

This will assure you of a controlled quality product capable of removing soiling effectively without any harm to your towel.

Make sure the quantity of detergent is as recommended on the instructions.

Without it being realised, the quantity used is often far greater than the quantity recommended by the detergent manufacturer. Apart from being uneconomical, over use of detergents can reduce the washing efficiency and could slowly effect certain colours and tenderise certain fabrics.

Use a suitable/recommended measure.

A generally accepted shrinkage for terry towels is between 5% & 9%. EcoKnit® Towels will shrink less typically 5% if that, we pride ourselves on using a unique process which leads to little or no shrinkage, particularly an advantage on the cross boarder where there is no bottle neck effect,EcoKnit® towels will look better when hanging up.

Typically drying EcoKnit® towels should be done on a medium heat setting. Always leave 6-7% moisture content in the towel throughout the drying process.

The following elements increase wear & shrinkage of towels during the washing cycle, and it is therefore advisable to determine weather some or all are absolutely necessary.

• Increased Loading
• Longer Cycles
• Stronger Detergents
• Higher Temperatures
• Bleaching Components

Typically drying EcoKnit® towels should be done on a medium heat setting. Always leave 6-7% moisture content in the towel throughout the drying process.

The following elements increase wear & shrinkage of towels during the tumble drying process and should be avoided.

• Increased Loading
• Longer Cycles
• Rapid Drying
• Higher Temperatures
• Over Drying

Care must be taken with coloured towels as they can be prone to colour loss. This is mainly due to the presence of optical brighteners in some washing detergents. In addition with some softeners these may interfere with the light reflectance resulting in fading, colour loss & dullness.

To avoid this problem ensure that the washing detergent of softener does not contain an optical brightener.

Unless your towels are VAT dyed, do not use bleach, this will take the colour out and lighten the towels.

Some SPA treatments are known to bleach coloured towels, therefore use a suitable towel such as a VAT dyed one.

The purpose, to improve the whiteness or, to make stains disappear. In doing so, the bleach will react to the dyes, causing the colours of the fabrics to change shade as well as weaken the cellulose cotton fibres. A bleaching agent should only be used when required, follow the manufacturers guidelines at all times. In addition the follow these simple guidelines:

• Temperature - The water should be cold, unless otherwise specified.
• Concentration - the quantity should be minimal and well measured.
• Mix - the solution should be well stirred.
• Soaking - The towels should be immersed and well soaked.
• Time - The shortest time necessary in order to obtain the results.
• Rinsing - The towel should be thoroughly rinsed.

Please also note.
Some cleaning agents for bathrooms and certain other household chemicals may contain agents similar to that of bleach.

The purpose, to improve the softness of your towel and increase the bulkiness. They are best used when your towels are feeling a little harsh, but beware, they can have adverse effects, such as:

• Softeners make towels less absorbent.
• Softeners also weaken the fabric of towels, shortening the life of the product.
• Use softener sparingly.

General stain removing compounds are widely available. Whenever possible, follow these guidelines:

-Act as soon as the stain has occurred. -Try to remove as much as the stain as possible before it is absorbed, dries or sets, by either gently scrapping with a blunt blade or absorbing with an absorbent paper, etc. -Work inwards from the outside of the stain to the centre. Do not use salt, rub or spread the stain into the fabric. Remember that the more you remove, the less you have to clean. -Wash the towel as soon as possible, to rid as much of the stain as possible. -Do not use your best towels when using hair dyes.

Try these tips next time:

-Blood Stains - Wash immediately in cold water. -Lipstick - Use a commercial stain remover and wash immediately. -Makeup - Was as per normal wash.