Key Takeaways
- Plan on two bath towels and two hand towels per guest, plus a spare set, so nobody has to ask for a fresh towel.
- Wash guest towels two or three days before visitors arrive, and fold them the same day so they stay fresh and fluffy.
- Skip fabric softener, which coats towel fibres and makes them less absorbent, and use white vinegar instead for softness.
Guest towel laundry is the small job that makes visitors feel truly welcome, and it takes less time than most people think. Fresh, fluffy towels in the guest bathroom tell your guests you were expecting them, while a thin or musty towel does the opposite. This guide shares ten ways to handle guest towel laundry before the holidays, from washing and folding to storing and scenting, so the guest bathroom is ready before the first visitor arrives.
How Many Towels Should I Have for Holiday Guests?
Plan on two bath towels and two hand towels per guest, plus a spare set in case one gets used up, so nobody has to ask for a fresh towel. A family of four staying for a weekend needs about eight bath towels, which is one full load in most washing machines.
Wash the guest towels a few days before visitors arrive, so they have time to dry fully and smell fresh. If you are short on towels, wash a load the morning guests arrive and hang them in the bathroom while they are still warm.
How Do I Make Towels Soft and Fluffy Again?
Make towels soft and fluffy again by washing them in hot water with a small amount of detergent and half a cup of white vinegar, then drying them on a medium heat. Skip the fabric softener, which coats the fibres and makes towels less absorbent over time.
Shake each towel hard before it goes in the dryer, which fluffs the loops up. If a towel still feels stiff, run it through a second rinse with vinegar and no detergent, and dry it with a clean tennis ball to beat the fibres soft.
When Should I Wash Guest Towels Before Visitors Arrive?
Wash guest towels two or three days before visitors arrive, so they are fully dry, folded and in the bathroom with time to spare. Towels left in the machine or the dryer overnight can pick up a musty smell, which is the last thing you want your guests to notice.
Fold the towels the same day you wash them, and store them in the guest bathroom or a linen cupboard with a sprig of dried lavender. A small stack by the sink, tied with a ribbon, looks thoughtful and saves guests from hunting through cupboards.
How Should I Fold Towels for Guests?
Fold guest towels in thirds, then roll them or stack them neatly on a shelf, with the folded edge facing out so the stack looks tidy. A rolled towel also fits in a basket by the sink, and a small sprig of evergreen on top adds a festive touch.
Keep the guest towels separate from the family's everyday towels, so they stay soft and clean. A different colour for guest towels makes it easy to tell them apart in the laundry basket.
10 Ways to Handle Guest Towel Laundry Before the Holidays
These ten guest towel laundry ideas cover washing, drying, folding and presenting, so the guest bathroom feels ready from the moment visitors arrive.
- Wash two days ahead — Run the guest towel load two or three days before visitors arrive, so the towels are fully dry and folded in time.
- Use white vinegar — Add half a cup of white vinegar to the wash to soften towels and remove musty smells without fabric softener.
- Dry on medium heat — Tumble dry towels on medium heat, and shake each one before it goes in, so the fibres fluff up.
- Fold in thirds — Fold each towel in thirds, then stack or roll them with the folded edge facing out for a tidy look.
- Tie a stack with ribbon — Tie a small stack of towels with a ribbon and a sprig of evergreen, and set it by the sink as a welcome.
- Keep a spare set — Put a spare set of towels in the guest room, so visitors can help themselves without asking.
- Scent with lavender — Tuck a sprig of dried lavender between folded towels, so they smell fresh when guests unfold them.
- Use a separate colour — Choose a different colour for guest towels, so they are easy to spot in the laundry and stay separate.
- Air them outside — On a dry day, hang the towels outside for an hour, since fresh air removes smells better than any spray.
- Check for stains — Inspect each towel before folding, and soak any stains in warm water with a little detergent before washing.
Guest towel laundry is a small job, but it is the one your visitors will notice every time they wash their hands. Fresh towels, folded neatly and smelling of lavender, tell your guests that you were looking forward to seeing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I wash guest towels during a visit?
Change guest towels every two or three days during a visit, or daily if guests prefer a fresh towel each morning. Leave a clean set on the bed or the bathroom shelf, so guests can swap them when they like.
Can I use scented detergent on guest towels?
Yes, but keep the scent light, since some guests are sensitive to strong fragrances. A mild, unscented detergent with a sprig of dried lavender in the cupboard gives a gentle scent without overpowering the bathroom.
How do I remove musty smells from towels?
Wash musty towels in hot water with half a cup of white vinegar and no detergent, then wash them again with a small amount of detergent. Dry them fully on medium heat, and never leave damp towels in the machine overnight.
What size towels do guests need?
Guests need a full-size bath towel and a hand towel each, plus a face cloth if you have them. A bath sheet is a nice extra for guests who stay for several days, but a standard bath towel is enough for a weekend.
More Guides
Guest towel laundry takes one load, one fold and a ribbon, and it is finished in an afternoon. Do it two days before your visitors arrive, and the guest bathroom will be ready before the cooking starts. Fresh towels are a small thing, but they are the kind of small thing guests remember.