QuickDry Towel Care: Keep Your Travel Towel Fresh
By Therm-a-Rest® - Sleeping Pads, Bags & Outdoor Comfort | Published: 2026-10-20
Category: Tips & Care
Learn how to wash, dry, and store your quick-dry camp towel to prevent odors and extend its life. Simple steps for microfiber and PackTowl fabrics.
Quick Answer
Wash your quick-dry towel in warm water with a mild, fragrance-free detergent and tumble dry on low or air dry to keep it fresh and absorbent.
Why Quick-Dry Towels Need Special Care
Microfiber and recycled-fabric travel towels like the PackTowl Luxe are designed to dry fast and pack small, but they also trap body oils, sunscreen, and bacteria more easily than cotton. Without proper washing, they can develop a musty smell even when dry.
The trade-off is that fabric softeners, bleach, and high heat can damage the fibers, reduce absorbency, or melt synthetic materials. Using the right products and methods keeps your towel performing trip after trip.
How to Wash and Care for Your Quick-Dry Towel
- 1. Shake out and rinse after each use: Before packing, shake your towel to remove sand and debris. If you used it at a beach or lake, rinse it in fresh water to remove salt, chlorine, or sunscreen. This prevents buildup that leads to odors. A quick rinse after every use is the single best prevention for towel odor.
- 2. Machine wash on warm with mild detergent: Use a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent — about half the amount you’d use for cotton. Avoid fabric softener and bleach; they coat the fibers and reduce absorbency. Wash on a gentle or normal cycle with warm water (not hot). Too much detergent leaves residue that traps bacteria. Use less than you think.
- 3. Remove odors with a vinegar soak: If your towel already smells musty, add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle or soak the towel in a bucket of water with 1 cup of vinegar for 30 minutes before washing. Vinegar neutralizes odors without damaging fibers. Do not use baking soda in the same load as vinegar — they cancel each other out.
- 4. Dry on low heat or air dry: Tumble dry on low or no heat, or hang the towel in a well-ventilated area. High heat can melt synthetic fibers and shrink the fabric. Quick-dry towels usually dry in 15–20 minutes in a dryer or 1–2 hours on a line. Never use a high-heat cycle or iron a quick-dry towel — permanent damage can occur.
- 5. Store completely dry: Even slightly damp towels can develop mildew in a stuff sack or backpack. After drying, store your towel loosely folded in a dry, ventilated spot. If you pack it for a trip, let it air out fully before sealing in a bag. A dry towel packed in a sealed bag can still develop smells if stored for weeks. Unpack and air it when you get home.
Product Spotlight
- Luxe Towel: The PackTowl Luxe Towel is made from 50% recycled fabric and comes in Face, Hand, Body, and Beach sizes. Recycled fibers can be more sensitive to heat and harsh detergents, so gentle washing and low drying temperatures are especially important to preserve the towel's softness and durability.
Luxe Towel
