Why You Should Always Wash Commercial Towels Before Use
And what their flat appearance means
If you’ve ever unboxed a brand-new set of commercial towels and found them flatter or less fluffy than expected, you're not alone and you're not holding a low-quality product. In fact, that flatness is a hallmark of commercial-grade construction and a sign the towel is designed for performance, not just appearance.
We’ll walk you through what makes commercial towels different from retail ones, why they must be washed before first use, and how that initial wash unlocks their full potential.
Commercial vs Retail Towels: A Key Design Difference
Retail towels (the kind you buy from a department store) are made to look thick, soft, and plush on a shelf. That’s because shelf appeal drives their sales. These towels are often treated or woven to appear fluffy right out of the packet, even if their performance doesn’t match the look.
Commercial towels are built differently. They're designed to work harder and last longer in environments like hotels, Airbnbs and short-term rentals. The key feature?
Longer pile construction, which maximises absorbency and improves water draw-in with each use.
This longer looped pile creates better drying performance, but it also means commercial towels can look a little “flat” or compressed before their first wash.
Why They Look Flat at First (And Why That’s a Good Thing)
When your towels arrive, the fibres are still compressed from weaving, folding, and packaging. That’s completely normal and intentional.
What you’re seeing isn’t a lack of quality - it’s quality waiting to be activated.
Once washed, the longer fibres begin to bloom, the loops open up, and the towel gains its full fluff and absorbency. It’s not a manufacturing fault. It’s a feature of high-performance towelling.
What Happens After You Wash Them
Here's what to expect after the first wash and dry:
Fluffier texture: The pile rises, creating a softer, fuller hand-feel.
Increased absorbency: Water uptake improves dramatically.
Better performance: The towel behaves the way it was designed to - fast-drying, durable, and effective.
To get the best results, we recommend:
- Washing towels before first use
- Avoiding fabric softeners (they coat the fibres and reduce absorbency)
- Tumble drying on low to medium heat to help the pile open up
Built for Performance, Not the Shelf
We’ve been supplying Australia’s leading hotels and accommodation providers for over 20 years. In that time, we’ve learned one thing: looks can be deceiving, but performance speaks for itself.
If you’re buying commercial-grade towels for your accommodation, Airbnb or home, know that a quick wash is all it takes to bring these towels to life.
Explore our full range of commercial-grade towels
FAQs
Why do commercial towels look flat when new?
Commercial towels are designed with longer pile loops for maximum absorbency, not immediate fluffiness. During manufacturing and packaging, the fibres become compressed. So when you first open them, they may appear flat. This is completely normal. After the first wash and dry, the fibres expand, the loops lift, and the towels become softer and fluffier, ready for high-performance use.
Do I need to wash hotel style towels before using them?
Yes. Washing your towels before first use is essential. Commercial-grade towels are engineered for absorbency, not shelf presentation. The initial wash helps remove manufacturing residues, softens the fibres, and activates the absorbent pile structure, giving you the full experience of what the towel was designed to do.
How do I make my new towels softer and more absorbent?
Start by giving them a warm wash with a mild detergent, avoiding fabric softener. Fabric softeners coat the fibres and reduce absorbency. Then, tumble dry on a low or medium heat - this helps lift the pile and softens the towel. For even better results, wash them twice before use. This will fully activate the long-pile fibres, leaving your towels feeling plush and ready for performance.