IF you want fluffy towels fit for the King, we’ve got you covered.
While many of us will never use the towels at Buckingham Palace, that doesn’t mean we can’t have the same luxurious quality in our own homes.
If you want towels that are super soft and fluffy, you’ve come to the right place[/caption]
Anne Simmons, who worked at Buckingham Palace for many years, has revealed the four-step routine for incredibly fresh towels[/caption]
Anne worked at Buckingham Palace as part of the household staff[/caption]
So if you want towels fit for a King, you’ll need to pay attention[/caption]
So just how do they keep their towels looking brand new and feeling super soft?
To reveal all, Plumbworld spoke with Anne Simmons, 57, from Berkshire, who worked at Buckingham Palace for many years as part of the household staff.
With first-hand experience in washing and maintaining towels, Anne revealed the four-step method that palace staff swear by.
According to Anne, the royal-approved method ensures their towels remain fluffy, absorbent, and pristine for years – and it’s not as complicated as you might think.
And if you’re on a budget, fear not, as this hack involves a basic 35p trick you’ll need to try – and you may already have it in your kitchen cupboard.
Anne stressed that keeping towels fluffy and fresh is all about avoiding common washing mistakes and using a precise drying technique.
Unlike many households, where towels are overloaded with detergent or fabric softeners, the Royal Household takes a minimalist approach to prevent buildup and stiffness.
She explained: “People assume adding more fabric softener makes towels softer, but in reality, it ruins the absorbency. In the palace, we never use it on towels.”
The Buckingham Palace four-step laundry routine
Step one: Ditch fabric softener for white vinegar
According to Anne, the biggest mistake people make when washing towels is overloading them with detergent and softeners, which actually coats the fibers and makes them stiff over time.
Instead of using these softeners, palace staff instead add half a cup of white vinegar to the wash, which removes detergent buildup and eliminates musty odours.
Alongside this, white vinegar will also soften towels and prevent the growth of bacteria, keeping them fresher for longer.
Highlighting the benefits of this household staple, which you can buy for just 35p from Sainsbury’s and Tesco, Anne acknowledged: “It’s a trick passed down through the years, and it works better than anything store-bought.”
Step two: Get shaking
As well as this, Anne also shared the one very simple but crucial step in the royals’ towel routine.
If you want soft towels like King Charles, you’ll need to shake them out before drying.
More winter laundry tips
Tackling laundry in the winter can be a challenge, but these handy tips can help you stay on top of it:
- Use a Dehumidifier: Place a dehumidifier in your drying area to speed up the drying process and prevent dampness.
- Spin Cycle Boost: Run an extra spin cycle on your washing machine to remove excess water from clothes, reducing drying time.
- Indoor Drying Rack: Invest in a good-quality indoor drying rack and position it near a radiator or in a well-ventilated room.
- Tumble Dryer Balls: Add tumble dryer balls to your dryer to help clothes dry faster and reduce static cling.
- Space-Saving Hangers: Use space-saving hangers or a retractable washing line to maximise indoor drying space.
- Microfibre Towels: Lay microfibre towels over your drying rack to absorb extra moisture from hanging clothes.
- Partially Dry Outside: On dry days, hang clothes outside for a short period before bringing them in to finish drying.
These hacks can help you keep your laundry routine efficient and your clothes fresh, even during the colder months.
After washing, Anne confessed that each towel is given a firm shake to loosen fibres, which also prevents matting and helps towels stay plush and airy.
Step three: Turn down the heat and use tennis balls
Additionally, Anne claimed that palace staff don’t use high heat when drying towels, as this can damage the fibres and make them rough.
Instead, the dryer is put on a low, gentle setting.
Not only this, but tennis balls or wool dryer balls are placed in the dryer alongside the towels.
It’s a tiny detail, but it makes a difference. Palace towels always smell fresh, and that’s why
Anne Simmons
This works to fluff the towels, prevents clumps from forming and enhances softness, all without the use of harsh chemicals.
As well as this, rather than drying towels completely in the tumble dryer, these are used until the towels are just slightly damp.
Following this, the towels are then air-dried until they are fully dry, as this helps them retain their plushness.
Step four: Fold them up
Finally, the Royal Household have a very strict rule on towel storage to ensure freshness is maintained and damp smells are avoided.
The impact of using plastic cleaning products
Laura Harnett, founder of eco cleaning brand, Seep, said: “Many people have switched to eco friendly cleaning sprays and detergents but aren’t aware that cleaning tools (such as green and yellow sponges and microfibre cloths) are made of plastic and release microplastics every time they are used.
“Microplastic is a huge concern as they are released into our water every time a plastic sponge or cloth is used to wash up or is rinsed out.
“A yellow and green plastic sponge lasts approximately one month and when you see the green part go bobbly that’s all of the microplastic coming out of it.”
- 600 million plastic household items end up in landfill every year
- 13 million tonnes of plastic lead into our oceans each year
- 1.1 million marine animals die each year as they swallow, get strangled or are suffocated by plastic
Anne recognised: “It’s a tiny detail, but it makes a difference. Palace towels always smell fresh, and that’s why.”
Revealing this folding method, Anne shared that palace staff never stack towels while still warm from the dryer, as this traps moisture.
Instead, they are air-cooled before folding and are then stored in a well-ventilated linen closet.
After this, when the towels are put away, lavender sachets or cedar blocks are placed between towel stacks to keep them smelling clean and luxurious.
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Whilst you’ll need to turn down the heat, there’s a shaking trick you’ll need to try[/caption]
