I am embroidering some white hand towels for presents. Normally I do not wash towels as I personally think that they do not look or feel the same as when bought. The design I have used is a sketch design. I have sprayed the surface and soaked the corner with the embroidery on to rid of the topping but it feels so hard. If I were to 'wash' the towels, how would be the best way to keep the pile soft. I know that Cuties will give me some good advice.

I just toss mine in the washing machine and dryer because I want to know that my work will stand up in normal daily use. I do iron the design after washing if it needs some touch up and to make it look nicer.

1 comment

by nonna57 17 Nov 2015

Yes As penny i do the same :)

Aren't cuties grand someone always has the answer to your questions..

Looking good, thanks to you ladies. I first soaked the towels in luke warm water to get rid of most of the topping. Then I hand washed and let them soak. Then put in washing machine on a wool cycle - cold rinse and spin. Now hanging on the line. I think I will see how they are and perhaps put them in the dryer to fluff up. I only use my dryer about 6 times a year!!

Tumble dry them to fluff them up. A cool cycle would work.

I have hand washed and machine washed to remove all the plastic film. If i hand wash, usually it needs to be done twice, and add softener, or finish in the dryer. This has worked for me. Good luck. Sandra.

Do you have a hand wash cycle on your washing machine? If not gently wash by hand with just a touch of detergent. Let the towel hand almost dry then put in dryer for fluff. When dry you can iron it with some wool felt on the back side. When cooled just use your hand to lightly raise the front of the towel nap. This has served me well in the past with towels. I always wash before embroidery too.

I wash everything. Mainly because I am allergic to sizing. I iron everything and usually I am more satisfied with it.