Towels
The first wash
Wash new towels before using them, on their own or with similar colours. A bit of lint in the first few washes is completely normal. It's loose fibre from the weaving process, and it stops.
Everyday washing
- Wash warm (40°C) with a mild detergent. Use about half the detergent the bottle suggests. Too much leaves residue that makes towels stiff.
- Skip the fabric softener. It coats the cotton and makes towels less absorbent. Half a cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle every month or so does a better job.
- Keep towels away from zips, hooks and velcro, which snag the loops.
Drying
- Line drying in the shade keeps colours bright. The Aussie sun is harsh on dyes.
- A quick 10-minute tumble on low after line drying brings back the fluff.
- Pulled a loop? Snip it level with scissors rather than pulling it.
Beach towels
Give them a rinse in fresh water after a swim so salt and sunscreen don't build up in the fibres.
Rugs
Wool
- Vacuum weekly with suction only (no beater bar) for the first few months while it sheds.
- Blot spills straight away with a clean white cloth, working from the outside in. Never rub.
- Rotate every six months so it wears and fades evenly.
- Get it professionally cleaned every year or two.
Jute
- Jute doesn't like water. Blot spills dry and avoid steam cleaning or wet shampoos.
- Keep jute rugs out of bathrooms, laundries and damp rooms.
- Vacuum regularly. Jute naturally sheds a little fibre.
Washable cotton rugs & bath mats
- Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle, on its own.
- Line dry flat in the shade. Don't tumble dry mats with a non-slip backing, as heat damages it.
Underlays
On hard floors, always use a rug underlay. It stops slips, protects your floors and helps the rug last longer.