Yes—new towels should usually be washed before their first use.
The first wash removes loose lint, dust, packaging residue, and some finishing materials from the surface. It also gives you a chance to check for dye release, follow the care label, and prepare the towel to perform as intended.
Washing a new towel is less about “sterilizing” it and more about removing loose material, reducing surface residue, and preparing the fibers for normal use.
The Quick Answer
| Step | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Read the care label | Check the permitted wash temperature, bleach type, and dryer setting | Fiber, dye, borders, and trims may require different care |
| Sort by color and material | Separate darks from whites and incompatible lint types | Reduces dye transfer and lint contamination |
| Load loosely | Give towels room to move and rinse | Supports even cleaning and residue removal |
| Measure detergent | Follow the detergent label | Avoids replacing one residue with another |
| Skip fabric softener | Avoid liquid softener and dryer sheets | Lets you evaluate natural absorbency |
| Dry completely | Use a care-label-safe setting or spread fully | Prevents damp storage and removes loose lint |
Why Wash a Brand-New Towel?
To Remove Loose Lint
New towels—especially cotton terry—often release loose fibers during their first few washes. Whirlpool notes that new towels and linens tend to generate more lint at the beginning of their service life.[1]
To Remove Surface Finishes and Residue
Towels may be exposed to textile finishing, handling, packaging, warehouse dust, and shipping materials. Whirlpool recommends washing new towels before use to remove coatings and reduce lint, while LG notes that some new towels may carry a finish that reduces initial absorbency.[2][3]
To Improve Initial Absorbency
A towel may feel soft when new yet push water around instead of soaking it up. Washing without fabric softener helps reveal its natural moisture behavior. The American Cleaning Institute notes that many softening ingredients are hydrophobic and may affect absorbency.[4]
To Check for Dye Release
Dark or saturated towels may release excess dye during early washing. Whirlpool and LG advise separating dark items from light laundry to reduce dye transfer.[5][6]
Is This Mainly a Hygiene Issue?
It is sensible to wash a textile before placing it repeatedly against clean, wet skin. However, the strongest practical reasons are residue, lint, dye, handling, and performance—not the idea that a new towel must be sterilized.
CDC household laundry guidance recommends detergent, the recommended water temperature, and complete drying for towels and other laundry items.[7]
Use a normal first wash, not an aggressive one. The goal is to clean and prepare the towel without damaging the fibers, dye, border, or finish.
How to Wash New Towels for the First Time
Inspect the towel and care label
Check for loose threads, damaged seams, stains, or packaging marks before choosing a cycle.
Separate by color
Wash white and pale towels separately from dark or saturated colors.
Separate incompatible fibers
New cotton may shed lint; fine-fiber plush can attract it. Wash them separately when practical.
Load the washer loosely
Towels need room to lift, turn, and rinse. Overloading can leave detergent and loose fibers behind.
Use a measured detergent dose
Follow the detergent label and washer instructions. Too much detergent can make a new towel feel stiff or coated.
Choose the warmest label-safe water
Do not automatically select hot water. Match the care label and color.
Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets
Let the towel begin without a water-repelling coating. Maytag advises avoiding softener when maximum absorbency is required.[8]
Dry completely
Shake the towels open and use a care-label-safe setting or spread fully to air dry.
Should New Towels Be Washed Separately?
Separate them during the first wash when colors are dark or bright, cotton pile appears likely to shed, fine-fiber plush may attract lint, or care labels require different settings.
After the first few washes, compatible towels may be combined by color, fiber, lint behavior, and care requirements.
How Much Lint Is Normal?
Some initial lint is normal for new cotton terry. Whirlpool and LG both note that new towels may generate more lint than established towels.[1][9]
Lint decreases over several washes
The dryer screen collects loose fibers while the towel remains intact.
Heavy shedding continues
The pile thins, loops pull out, seams fail, or large clumps continue after repeated correct washes.
Should You Add Vinegar or Baking Soda?
Neither is required for a proper first wash. A normal care-label-safe cycle with correctly measured detergent is the more reliable starting point.
Whirlpool cautions that vinegar can be harsh on some fabrics and should not be used routinely.[10]
Use This First-Wash Guide
What type of new towel are you washing?
Starting point: Wash with compatible white towels, use measured detergent, follow the label-safe temperature, skip softener, and expect some initial lint.
Starting point: Wash separately or with similar dark colors, use a label-safe cooler or warm setting, and inspect for dye release.
Starting point: Keep away from lint-heavy cotton, use measured detergent, avoid softener and dryer sheets, and follow the label-safe drying setting.
Starting point: Follow the care label carefully because borders, embroidery, trims, or mixed fibers may require gentler care.
Mallo Signature Plush and Pure Cotton
| Care point | Signature Plush | Pure Cotton |
|---|---|---|
| Material | 85% polyester and 15% nylon | 100% long-staple cotton |
| GSM | 380 GSM | 430 GSM |
| First-wash concern | Lint attraction from cotton loads | Initial loose lint and possible color transfer |
| Best practice | Wash with compatible colors and low-lint items | Wash by color and expect lint to reduce over time |
| Avoid | Fabric softener, dryer sheets, and high-lint mixed loads | Overloading, excess detergent, and incompatible pale laundry |
First-Wash Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the towel straight from the package
- Ignoring the care label
- Washing dark towels with white clothing
- Mixing new cotton with lint-attracting fabrics
- Overpacking the washer
- Using an oversized detergent dose
- Adding fabric softener immediately
- Using dryer sheets during preparation
- Choosing the hottest cycle by default
- Leaving wet towels in the washer
- Folding towels before fully dry
- Trying several laundry hacks at once
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it unsafe to use a new towel without washing it?
A single use is unlikely to create a problem for most people, but washing first removes loose lint, surface residue, dust, and handling contamination.
Will washing a new towel make it more absorbent?
It often can. The first wash may remove surface finishing or conditioning residue that interferes with direct water contact.
Should I wash new towels once or twice?
One correct wash is normally enough. A second may help when lint, dye release, odor, or surface residue remains.
Can I wash new towels with old towels?
Yes, when colors, fibers, lint behavior, and care settings are compatible.
Why is my new towel shedding?
New cotton terry can release loose fibers during its first few washes. Persistent heavy shedding or thinning may indicate a construction issue.
Should I use hot or cold water?
Use the warmest water permitted by the care label and appropriate for the color.
Should I add fabric softener?
No when absorbency is the priority. Softener can coat the surface before you have evaluated natural performance.
Do new towels need to be disinfected?
Routine household laundering with detergent, a label-safe temperature, and complete drying is generally sufficient.
Final Takeaway
Wash new towels before using them. The first wash removes loose lint and surface residue, helps reveal natural absorbency, and gives you a chance to identify dye transfer or special care needs.
Keep the process simple: read the label, sort by color and fiber, load loosely, measure detergent, skip fabric softener, and dry completely.
References
- Whirlpool Product Help. Preventing Excessive Lint on a Washer Load. View source
- Whirlpool. How to Wash and Dry Towels to Keep Them Soft. View source
- LG UK. How to Wash Towels in a Washing Machine. View source
- American Cleaning Institute. Fabric Softeners and Enhancers: A Comprehensive Guide. View source
- Whirlpool Product Help. Washer Is Leaving Clothes Discolored or With Dye Transfer. View source
- LG USA Support. Sorting and Loading Your Washer. View source
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When and How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home. View source
- Maytag Product Help. Tips for Using Fabric Softener in Washer. View source
- LG USA Support. Clothes Are Covered With Lint After the Drying Cycle. View source
- Whirlpool. How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Clothes. View source
- Maytag. What Do Dryer Sheets Do? View source
- Whirlpool. How to Remove Color Bleeding From Clothes. View source
- LG USA Support. Lint on Cloth After Washing Cycle. View source
- American Cleaning Institute. Laundry Basics. View source
- Whirlpool. How to Wash and Dry Microfiber Towels and Cloths. View source
- Mallo Towels. The Marshmallow Bath Towel 2.0. View product
- Mallo Towels. Pure Cotton Collection. View collection
