F.A.Q's

Bath Towels are typically the hardest working members of your hotel or household. As well as keeping us dry and clean, towels add to the look and feel of a bathroom and can even be expected to wipe up muddy floors or dry your pet after its weekly wash. When shopping for towels it is important to avoid choosing a towel from touch alone. Here are tips for finding high-quality towels and knowing how the GSM of a towel can play a vital part in the selection process. To ensure the towel feels cozy and luxurious, check the care label and ensure it states the towel is 100% cotton. Cotton fibers naturally attract water and can hold almost 25 times its weight in liquid. For extra comfort, 100% combed cotton ensures that the shorter threads have been removed, keeping the towel strong and prevent pilling. However, most towels are made of cotton, but the look and feel of towels largely depends on the type of cotton used. Towels designed and priced for everyday use are typically made of standard cotton, while the more expensive Egyptian cotton towels have a much longer threads, allowing each towel to have more moisture absorbing loops per inch. The number and the length of loops is also an important factor in choosing the right towel. The denser the loops, the more absorbent the towel will be so check the stitch for thick, tightly packed loops. If however you can see the base of the towel, then this is an indicator of a poor quality towel. The key to the longevity of a towel is for the hems to be double stitched all the way around the edges of the towel. This extra reinforcement reduces fraying and will give your bath towels a longer life. The best way to judge the quality of a towel is to hold it. A high quality towel feels much heavier than it looks and in turn will be much more absorbent. The weight of a towel is measured by the GSM (Grams per Square Metre). Low GSM (300-400) towels are light and thin whilst high GSM (450-600) towels are thicker and heavier. A towel that weighs less than 400 GSM is likely to be thin and typically suitable for a gym bag or trips to the beach. If you are purchasing a hand towel or guest towel then it is advisable for the GSM to be at least 400. For Bath Towels, a higher GSM of 500 will provide a soft and absorbent towel. Typically, the higher the GSM, the better performance you will have from the towel.

We would certainly recommend washing a new towel before using. Firstly for hygiene purposes and also a towel becomes much more absorbent after the first wash.

 
Always follow the washing instructions placed on the label of the towel.

• If there is a stray pulled loop on the towel, cut off with a pair of scissors. This will not cause any damage to the towel.
• Richard Haworth suggest using detergent specifically for coloured towels and to avoid brightening detergents as this will affect the towel colour.
• Richard Haworth Towels can be washed at 60ºC.
• A harsh texture to towels and bathrobes and an off-white colour are signs of bleach damage. It is best to avoid bleaching agents when washing towels.
• Bathroom detergents and some beauty products such as cleansers contain bleaching agents and may cause permanent discolouration to your towel.
• Washing too hot can cause the bars on the towels to shrink.
• Fabric conditioner will reduce the absorbency of the towel, as it coats the yarn of the towel making it less efficient.
• Do not dry clean towels.

Terry is a cloth with either loops all over on both sides of the fabric or patterned loops on both sides. It is formed through a weaving process with an extra warp yarn to make the loops. Characteristics of terry cloth are as follows; long wearing, easy to launder with little or no ironing required. Terry can be bleached, dyed, or printed (similar to screen printing). Better quality terry has a close, firm underweave, with very close loops (the general rule of thumb is the closer the loops, the better the quality of terry). Terry is very absorbent, and the longer the loop, the greater the absorbency. When the pile is only on one side, it is called "Turkish toweling".

Most terry cloth is made with cotton because the absorbent fibre gets stronger when wet and it can be washed in very hot water using strong bleach and detergent without harm. Terry cloth is usually made with looped pile because the loops act like very small sponges. Looped pile is also better able to withstand the strain of rubbing, pulling twisting and tugging by the user. Loosely twisted loops are softer and more absorbent than tightly twisted loops, which produce a rougher fabric. Long pile is more absorbent than short pile. Terry cloth is most absorbent when it has loops on both sides. Cotton can absorb up to 27 times its own weight in water.
Here at THMILLS we have a number of terry products within our range including terry Bathrobes, and open toe terry slippers with an absorbent terry inner.

Velour towels are terry towels where the loops have been cropped to give a smoother texture and to make the design clearer.

Click here to view our wash care symbol guide.

Washing

• Wash the robe, depending on the amount of soiling, between 40°C and 60°C using a standard detergent.
•  Do not use any bleach products in the washing cycle.
• Never wash robes with any other type of product to avoid pilling and linting.
• After washing use a high spin cycle to remove as much excess water as possible. This will help to reduce drying time.

Drying

•  The manufacturer`s care label states to tumble dry using a low heat.
• However a medium heat works very well. The heat ensures the robes dry quickly and also aids in allowing the fabric to fluff back up and retain its original softness.
• It is very important not to overload the dryer so that the robes have enough space to tumble properly. If the dryer is overloaded then the fabric can become harsh to the touch due to the constant abrasive action and the fluffy appearance will be lost.
• Never tumble dry these robes with any other product to avoid pilling and linting.

   

General Tips

     ✓  Always launder robes before use.

     ✓  Always keep robes away from fire.

     x    Do not Iron. This will affect the pile and can scorch / discolour.

     x    Do not Dry Clean.  

Basic Requirements

1. Equipment must be free of sharp edges as they may snag and cause pulls/damage to the tablecloths.
2. If using a washing machine with preset programs use a program with cool down.
   Washing Equipment must have properly functioning water level and temperature controls.
3. Powder or chemical feed systems must be functioning properly.
4. Detergent must not contain softener.
5. Do not use Chlorine bleach on colours only use colour safe oxy. bleaches.
6. Drying equipment must have properly functioning temperature and cool-down controls.
7. Lint screens on dryers must be cleaned daily.
8. Standard operating procedure should include periodic inspections of the above listed requirements.

Processing Requirements: 100% Polyester Table linens

1. All new linen should be washed separately prior to use to remove any manufacturing residual dye. Colours and product should not be mixed on this initial wash.
2. Subsequent wash cycles, similar colours/shades (e.g. white, medium, dark,) can be washed together (see below).
3. All table cloth linen must be shaken out to ensure debris (e.g. food and sharp objects) are not loaded into the washer.
4. All polyester tablecloths should be washed separately from 100% cotton and polycotton blends, as loose fibres from cotton and polycotton blends can deposit lint onto the polyester linens.Use synthetic wash cycle/process (maximum 50° C for normal soiling), cool tumble dry, warm iron if required.
5. For heavily soiled items, wash temperatures can be increased to a maximum of 60° C but will require a gradual cool down. Step down temperature by 5° C increments or less until load is at 45° C as thermal shock may occur if load is cooled down rapidly.

Typical Wash Program For 100% Polyester Table Linen For Semi Industrial Washing Machines

1. Load washers up to 80% of rated capacity.
2. Avoid use of any softeners or bacteria stats in the wash as these will mask the absorbency of the fabric.
3. Do not use chlorine bleach on coloured table linen, only use oxygen release bleach.
4. The use of sours will assist the removal of residual chemicals and assist any starching required. Do not use P.V.A. starch; only use natural starch.
5. For heavily soiled items, wash temperatures can be increased to a maximum of 60° C but will require a gradual cool down. Step down temperature by 5° C increments or less until load is at 45° C as thermal shock may occur if load is cooled down to rapidly.
    

Suggested Drying Procedure  

1. Load dryers up to 50% capacity.
2. Set heat cycle to fabric temperature of 80° C - 90° C (low setting).
3. Linen must be dry before “cool-down” cycle starts. Drying time usually varies between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on extraction, load size and temperature.
4. These procedures should be followed to obtain optimum flat-dry results; A.) All fabrics should be unloaded immediately after cycle is completed. Cloths should then be draped across a trolley or folding table, napkins stacked flat. B.) Allow 24 hour “shelf-time” to enhance flat-dry appearance.
5. Professional results are best obtained by ironing.

 
For White

• Increase the washing temperature. If you are washing at less than 50 degrees C then increase up to 60 degrees C wash cycle. This will usually fix most issues.
• If the staining persists, they can add a bleaching agent or a stain remover, such as vanish, to the wash. Bleach will not affect the fabric.
• A higher wash temperature of 70 to 80 degrees can also be used. This will not damage the fabric but it can lead to thermal shock ( creasing ) if the hot fabric is then dosed with cold rinsing water. If this happens, the fabric will need to be washed again at a lower temperature to remove the creasing.
• Do not use fabric softeners. These can be a cause of locking in stains and will also affect the absorbency of the fabric.
   

For Colours

• Increase the washing temperature. If you are washing at less than 50 degrees C then increase up to 60 degrees C wash cycle. This will usually fix most issues.
• Do not use any type of bleaching agent or stain remover on colours. This will discolour the fabric and it cannot be remedied.
• A higher wash temperature of 70 to 80 degrees can also be used. This will not damage the fabric but it can lead to thermal shock ( creasing ) if the hot fabric is then dosed with cold rinsing water. If this happens, the fabric will need to be washed again at a lower temperature to remove the creasing.
• Do not use fabric softeners. These can be a cause of locking in stains and will also affect the absorbency of the fabric.

 

Specific Stains

• Wine, Sauces, Vinegar, Ink, Fruit stains - use a full 60 degree wash and standard detergent.
• Tough Curry Stains - increase the temperature up to 70, 80 and then 90 degrees. Add extra detergent, if a white only product, you can add a small amoutn of bleach.
• Blood - Use a warm water flush, then normal washing. Do not use hot water on protein soils.
• Fats / Corn Oil / Salad Dressing - Use solvated surfactants to boost the regular formula.
• Motor Oil / Grease - Use solvated surfactants to boost regular formula.  
• Lipstick / Candle Wax - Use solvated surfactants and/or higher temperatures.
• Rust - Use an oxalic acid prewash or rush-removing sours.
• Mildew - Use chlorine bleach on whites. As a last resort, use 1% available chlorine bleach at 1-2 quarts/CWT to remove mildew from coloured napery. This will cause some colour deterioration. A mildewcide with no quaternary ammonium base should be used to minimize mildew growth. 

With unique Softouch technology  revolutionary cotton soft table linen ranges provides a soft, natural ‘cotton like’ feel, while being one of the most durable table cloths in the world. 

Specially designed fibres combine with new technology finishing to produce this unsurpassed product which offers superior durability, excellent colour retention and superb stain release, along with minimal shrinkage and outstanding absorbency. 

Cost Savings:-

• Excellent stain release enables lower wash temperatures with less rinsing and chemicals required
• Quicker turn around in the laundry as retains less moisture after washing
  Reduced fuel and energy costs due to ease of washing and drying
• Improved Return on Investment
• Minimal shrinkage – less than 2% compared to up to 10% with 100% cotton
• Good resistance to snags and picks
• Consistent shape retention after continued washing
• Consistent colour wash after wash
  
  

Whole Life Costs:-

• Minimal increase in unit price
• Substantial increase in product life
• Reduced cost per use
  
  

Satisfied Customers:-

• Highly absorbent, soaks up spills quickly
• Fantastic ‘cotton soft’ feel – napkins are hemmed to further replicate the cotton appearance and handle
• Washing at lower temperatures with less chemicals and rinsing helps protect the environment whilst maintaining a consistently excellent appearance