Drying your hair with a towel after washing it is a common practice. Using a towel helps remove excess moisture from wet hair quickly so you can move on with your daily routine. Learning how to properly fold a hair towel ensures the towel dries fast for reuse while taking up minimal space.
When done right, folding a used hair towel keeps it neat, organized and free from mildew buildup. It also helps the towel retain its softness and absorption capacity over several uses.
Choosing the Right Hair Towel
The first step is selecting an appropriate hair towel for drying your locks. Consider the following factors when buying one:
Fabric
Microfiber or terry cloth towels work best. They effectively soak up excess moisture without damaging wet hair. Terry cloth features minuscule loops that create extra surface area for superior water absorption. Microfiber also rapidly absorbs water and dries faster than regular towels.
Size
Choose a towel wide enough to wrap around your head from the nape of your neck to the hairline. For long hair, pick a longer towel that goes several inches below the shoulders when fully wrapped. Shorter towels cannot hold long hair and tend to come undone.
Now let’s see how to fold hair towels made with different fabrics.
Key Takeaway: Microfiber and terry cloth hair towels in the right size ensure effective drying of wet locks.
Folding a Terry Cloth Hair Towel
Terry cloth hair towels have excellent absorption capacity. Follow these steps to neatly fold one after wrapping wet hair:
Blot Excess Moisture
After unwrapping from your head, gently squeeze any water droplets from the used towel. You want it slightly damp but not dripping.
Give it a Quick Shake
Hold two upper corners of the towel and give it a brisk downward shake. This helps realign the terry cloth loops.
Lay it Flat
Spread out the towel completely on a dry surface. Make sure it lies smoothly without any wrinkles or creases.
Fold in Half Lengthwise
With the wider sides facing left and right, fold the towel in half down the center from top to bottom. Smooth down neatly with your hands.
Fold in Thirds Widthwise
Taking the width of the towel, fold one shorter side one-thirds of the way in. Repeat for the other short side, adjusting folds to meet at the center.
Roll Tightly from Top to Bottom
Start rolling the towel tightly from top to bottom until you have a neat cylindrical bundle. Adjust the roll to keep it tight.
Folding this way allows thorough drying so the towel stays fresh and fully absorbent for next use.
Key Takeaway: Gently blot moisture, give a brisk downward shake, fully spread out, fold lengthwise, fold widthwise in thirds and roll up a used terry cloth hair towel.
Folding a Microfiber Hair Towel
Besides rapid water absorption, microfiber hair towels dry faster than regular ones. Here is how to fold them:
Blot Out Moisture
After unwrapping from wet hair, gently press and blot a microfiber towel to soak up excess dampness.
Smooth Out Folds
Since microfiber towels are thinner, they tend to retain creases if left folded. After use, carefully smooth out any folds or wrinkles.
Fold Into a Wide Rectangle
Fold the spread-out towel into a wide rectangle by taking one longer side and folding it one-third of the way in. Do the same with the opposite longer side.
Roll Up Starting at One Short Side
Tightly roll up the microfiber towel starting at one shorter side until you have a neat tube shape. Adjust the roll to keep it tight.
Hang It Up to Dry
The thin microfiber dries fastest when hung freely rather than folded. Hang on a towel rod or rack until fully dry before next use.
Hanging instead of folding allows quicker drying to prevent mildew buildup in microfiber towels.
Key Takeaway: Gently blot excess moisture, smooth out all folds and wrinkles, fold into a wide rectangle, tightly roll up starting at one short side and hang up a used microfiber hair towel to dry.
Folding a T-Shirt Hair Towel
A soft cotton t-shirt makes an excellent hair towel. Follow these easy steps to fold one after wrapping your wet locks:
Flip It Inside Out
After use, gently pull the t-shirt inside out. This brings the damp part within and allows quicker drying.
Give it a Good Shake
Blot out excess moisture by holding the shirt by its side seams and giving it a brisk downward shake.
Lay Flat on a Surface
Spread out the tee completely smooth on a dry flat surface. Make sure there are no wrinkles.
Fold in Half Lengthwise
With the wider sides facing left and right, fold the t-shirt in half down the center from top to bottom.
Fold in Thirds Widthwise
Just like a towel, fold one shorter side one-thirds of the way in across the width. Repeat for the opposite short side, adjusting folds to meet at the center.
Roll Up Tightly
Start rolling the t-shirt tightly from top to bottom until you have a cylindrical bundle. Adjust the roll to keep it tight.
These easy steps allow uniform drying and prevent mildew and sour odors in the fabric.
Key Takeaway: Gently pull inside out, give a downward shake, fully spread out, fold lengthwise, fold widthwise in thirds and roll into a tight bundle to fold a used cotton t-shirt hair towel.
Styling Considerations When Folding Hair Towels
Certain hairstyles need special care while folding the towels used to dry them.
Curly or Permed Hair
Gently blot moisture instead of rubbing with the towel to avoid loosening the curls or perm. After folding, leave the towel loose overnight instead of rolling it tight since compression can flatten the curls.
Color-Treated Hair
Fold gently without twisting or wringing since wet color-treated hair is fragile. Avoid Terry cloth towels as the loops may snag and pull out color-treated strands. Use extra-gentle microfiber or soft cotton towels.
Long Hair
Use wider towels that fully wrap the entire length of long hair without pulling or straining. While folding, adjust rolls to leave some looseness instead of rolling up tightly against the scalp. Tight folds may crimp and cause knots in long locks.
Key Takeaway: Adapt folding technique based on hairstyle – leave curly/permed towels loose overnight, avoid terrycloth for color-treated hair and leave some looseness when rolling long hair towels.
With these smart adjustments, you can fold used hair towels without disturbing specialized hairstyles.
Correct Storage Techniques After Folding
Properly storing folded hair towels is as important as folding them right in the first place.
Let it Dry Completely
Never put away a damp towel even if folded. Moisture trapped within folds causes bad odors and mildew over time.
Store in Cool, Dry Place
Keep cleanly folded and dried towels in a well-ventilated linen closet or shelf. Avoid hot attics or basements with humidity.
Use Breathable Bin or Basket
For neat storage, place folded hair towels inside fabric bins or wired baskets that allow airflow. Avoid sealing in plastic boxes or bags.
Add Dryer Sheets
Put a couple of dryer sheets between folded towels to keep them smelling fresh. This also repels insects.
Following these correct storage practices makes hair towels last longer and stay sanitary.
Key Takeaway: Before storage – completely dry folded towels, store in a cool dry spot in breathable bins with added dryer sheets.
FAQs
Is it okay to fold a towel immediately after using?
No, never fold a towel when still wet. Always allow it to air dry completely spread out before folding up. Folding wet traps moisture that causes odor and bacterial buildup.
How often should my hair towels be washed?
With regular use, launder every 3 to 5 days. Use very mild detergent and full rinse cycles. Avoid fragranced products as they leave residues that can irritate skin.
Can towels lose their softness over time?
Yes, terry cloth and cotton towels lose plushness and absorbency after many uses and washes. Regularly check your hair towels and replace them every few months for best results.
What is the ideal towel temperature?
A hair towel straight out of the dryer or linen closet feels nicely warm, but avoid extremely hot towels. Heat damages hair follicles and strips moisture, leaving locks brittle. Use towels at room temperature or slightly warm.
How do I disinfect my hair towel?
Every 2 weeks, machine wash hair towels in very hot water or use a disinfectant laundry cleanser. This kills odor and germ-causing bacteria. White vinegar in the rinse cycle removes soap residue buildup.
Are microfiber towels reusable?
Yes, they are extremely durable with proper care. Avoid bleaches or fabric softeners when laundering as these coat microfiber fibers reducing absorption. Replace microfiber towels every 4-6 months for best performance.
Can I use paper towels to dry hair?
Although super absorbent, the wood pulp paper shreds with rubbing and the torn fragments stick to hair. For this reason, do not use paper towels as hair towels even though they readily soak up moisture.
How do I fold a towel into a fun shape?
Folding towels into shapes like flowers or hearts makes drying hair fun for kids. Shape folding takes a little practice but there are easy video tutorials online on how to turn bath towels into birds, baskets or even elephants!
Conclusion
Knowing how to neatly fold different kinds of hair towels helps keep them tidy and organized inside closets or cupboards. Making proper folds correctly aligns fabric loops and prevents permanent creases in thinner microfiber or cotton towels from forming over time.
Folding used hair towels is also necessary to allow uniform drying and eliminate bacterial buildup from trapped dampness. Combine right folding techniques with adequate air drying and breathable storage to enjoy fresh, soft hair towels that quickly dry wet locks for years.
