Lint shedding from new towels during their first few uses or washes is a common pain point in hotel and homestay operations. While many guests directly attribute this to poor product quality, from a textile manufacturing perspective, towel lint must be categorized into "process-related surface lint" and "quality-related shedding." Understanding this distinction and mastering proper washing and care techniques are of great significance for smoothly navigating the "shedding period" of new towels and enhancing the guest experience.
1. Distinguishing Lint Types: Process-Related Surface Lint vs. Quality Defects
Towel lint does not equate to a quality issue. Premium pure cotton towels (especially those made from long-staple cotton) retain a certain amount of terry loops on their surface to maintain softness and absorbency. During the weaving process, some short fibers that are not fully secured remain on the towel's surface, forming "surface lint." It is a normal process-related phenomenon for this lint to shed during the initial washes or through friction. As the number of washes increases, the surface lint will naturally shed completely, and the linting issue will subsequently disappear.
However, if a towel continues to shed excessively after multiple washes, it may indicate a quality defect. This is typically caused by the use of excessively short, low-quality cotton yarns or poor weaving techniques that result in weak fiber bonding. According to national standards (GB/T 22864), there are clear grade assessments for towel lint shedding, with premium-grade products having the strictest lint control. Therefore, purchasers should select products that meet national standards through legitimate channels to mitigate the risk of quality-related lint at the source.
2. Scientific Washing and Care: Practical Methods to Accelerate the Shedding Period
For process-related surface lint on new towels, hotels can accelerate their removal through standardized washing and drying processes, thereby reducing guest inconvenience.
During the washing phase, the initial cleaning of new towels is crucial. It is recommended to wash them separately in warm water between 30℃ and 40℃. Warm water helps dissolve residual sizing agents from production and wash away surface lint. Additionally, avoid washing them with clothing containing sharp items like zippers to prevent snagging the terry loops. Use neutral detergents and avoid chlorine bleach or strong alkaline detergents, as these can damage the cotton fiber structure and exacerbate linting. Notably, during the first few washes of new towels, fabric softeners should be avoided, as their ingredients can coat the fibers and inadvertently hinder the shedding of surface lint.
In the drying and air-drying phase, controlling temperature and mechanical force is key. If using a tumble dryer, select a low-heat setting with the temperature kept below 80℃. Over-drying can make cotton fibers brittle, generating more micro-lint. When the towels are 80% dry, switching to a cool-air cycle helps restore fiber elasticity. If air-drying, avoid direct exposure to intense sunlight to prevent fiber aging and hardening. After the final rinse and before drying or air-drying, vigorously shaking the towels several times can effectively remove loosened but unshed lint.
3. Daily Operations and Guest Complaint Prevention
To further minimize guest complaints, hotels can mix new and old towels when preparing guest rooms, avoiding the simultaneous rollout of an entirely new set of towels in a single room. For towels that have passed the shedding period, daily washing should follow a gentle cycle, and the machine load should be controlled at 70% to 80% of its capacity to prevent excessive mechanical friction caused by overcrowding.
By scientifically understanding the "shedding period" of towels and implementing standardized washing and care processes, hotels can effectively reduce linting from new towels, extend the lifespan of their linens, and consistently provide guests with a soft and hygienic stay experience.