If you’ve just bought a set of reusable paper towels and you tried to use them immediately, you may have noticed they push water around instead of soaking it up.
Here’s the good news: there’s nothing wrong with your towels, they just need a little time and care to reach their full potential.
Why Brand-New Reusable Paper Towels Don’t Absorb Well
Our reusable paper towels are made from 100% cotton flannel. Flannel is a natural fiber that starts out smooth when it’s fresh from the sewing machine. Those smooth fibers don’t have the fluff and texture needed to draw liquid in, so at first, spills may seem to just spread around.
With regular washing and use, the fibers allow liquid to be pulled in and held. After 8–10 washes, your towels will reach their maximum absorbency.
Think of them like a good pair of jeans: they only get better and more comfortable the more you use them.
How to Make Reusable Paper Towels More Absorbent
If you want your new reusable paper towels to work their best, follow these simple steps:
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Wash before first use — this removes any residue from the manufacturing process and starts the softening process.
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Keep washing — expect them to keep improving for 8–10 washes.
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Avoid fabric softener — it coats the fibers and prevents them from soaking up liquid.
- Air dry or tumble dry on low — high heat can cause excess shrinkage, but a little shrinkage is normal for 100% cotton.
Will My Reusable Paper Towels Shrink?
Yes, since they’re 100% cotton, you can expect a small amount of shrinkage after the first few washes. This is completely normal and won’t affect performance.
Storing Your Reusable Paper Towels
There’s no wrong way to store them:
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Roll them up and keep them on a standard paper towel holder.
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Stack them in a basket on the counter.
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Fold them and keep them in a drawer.
Once washed, they’ll cling to each other better, which makes rolling them up much easier.
If your reusable paper towels aren’t soaking up liquid right away, don’t panic. Wash them before first use, skip the fabric softener, and give them time. With a little patience (and about 8–10 washes), your towels will become soft, grippy, and super absorbent!
If you haven’t tried them yet, you can shop our reusable paper towels here.
P.S. In case you missed it, we’re all stocked up on our 1-ply jar covers and bowl covers, including our favourite Highland Cows print! You can find them here.
