How to Wash Beach Towels After Sand, Salt and Sunscreen

To wash a beach towel well, shake out loose sand first, rinse away salt or chlorine when needed, then follow the towel’s care label. For Sunday Supply Co.’s lightweight cotton beach towels, that means a cold machine wash, line drying in the shade and no tumble drying.

A few simple steps before the towel reaches the washing machine can make beach-day care easier. The key is to deal with sand while it is dry, avoid leaving the towel damp in a bag and treat sunscreen marks before they have time to settle into the fibres.

How to wash beach towels: the simple method

1. Let loose sand dry. Damp sand clings to fabric, so hang the towel briefly if it is still wet.
2. Shake it outside. Open the towel fully and give it several firm shakes away from people and clean laundry.
3. Check for sunscreen or food marks. Treat visible spots according to the towel’s care label before starting the cycle.
4. Wash with similar colours. Use the water temperature and cycle recommended for the exact towel.
5. Dry it completely. Follow the label and do not fold or store the towel while any part is still damp.

Always let the product label take priority over general advice. Beach towels vary in fibre, weave, colour and finish, so the best setting for one towel may not suit another.

What to do after a normal beach day

How to get sand out of a beach towel

Sand is easiest to remove once the towel and grains are dry. Lay the towel over a line or railing, let the breeze and sunlit air do some of the work, then shake it firmly from different corners. Pay extra attention to tassels, hems and any folded edges where grit collects.

Avoid carrying a sandy towel straight from the beach into the washing machine. Removing as much grit as possible first keeps the wash more effective and stops sand from moving onto other laundry. If the towel is still wet, hang it in an airy place before shaking rather than scrubbing damp sand deeper into the fabric.

For a towel designed around easy beach-day packing, explore the lightweight cotton styles in the Sunday Supply Co. beach towel collection.

How to wash salt from a beach towel

If the towel has had a light splash, a normal wash according to the label is usually the simplest approach. After a long swim or repeated dips, a fresh-water rinse before washing can help remove salt from the surface.

Do not leave a salt-soaked towel rolled tightly in the bottom of a beach bag. Unfold it when you get home, rinse or wash it promptly, and give it enough space to dry. The same rule applies after a pool day: leaving any wet towel bundled up makes it harder to keep fresh.

How to remove sunscreen marks from a beach towel

Sunscreen formulas and towel dyes vary, so begin gently. Check the product label, rinse the marked area with cool water and use a detergent that is suitable for the fabric. Test any unfamiliar stain treatment on an inconspicuous area first, especially on coloured towels.

Avoid aggressive scrubbing around decorative finishes or tassels. If the mark remains after the first wash, repeat a label-safe treatment before drying. Heat can make some marks harder to shift, so it is worth checking the towel before using any heated drying method.

How to care for a cotton beach towel

Cotton beach towels can feel soft and absorbent while still being light enough to carry. Good care is mostly about respecting the weave, colour and drying instructions.

• Separate lights and darks, especially for the first few washes.
• Do not overload the machine; the towel needs room for water to move through it.
• Use a suitable everyday detergent in the amount recommended on its packaging.
• Keep hooks, zips and rough fasteners away from tassels or loose decorative details.
• Reshape the towel after washing and dry it fully before putting it away.

The Dunes Beach Towel is made from 100% lightweight cotton and measures 97 cm by 175 cm. Sunday Supply Co.’s published care direction for this style is a cold machine wash, line dry in the shade and do not tumble dry.

How often should you wash beach towels?

There is no single schedule that suits every beach day. Wash the towel when it is visibly dirty, has been heavily exposed to salt or pool water, has sunscreen or food on it, or no longer smells fresh. Between lighter uses, shake it out and dry it completely before packing it again.

If a towel stays damp, has persistent odours or no longer performs as expected after proper washing, it may need more than another quick cycle. Our guide to how often to replace towels explains the signs worth checking.

How to dry and store beach towels

Drying is just as important as washing. Open the towel fully rather than folding it over several layers, and leave space for air to move around it. Follow the care label for the appropriate drying method.

Once the towel is completely dry, fold it loosely and keep it in a clean, ventilated cupboard or storage basket. If you are packing for the next trip, wait until the morning rather than sealing a towel away while it still holds moisture from the previous day.

For households that like a ready-to-go rotation, coordinated beach towel sets make it easier to keep a clean option available while another towel is in the wash.

Beach towel washing FAQs

Can I put a sandy beach towel straight in the washing machine?

It is better to remove as much sand as possible first. Let damp sand dry, shake the towel outside and check hems and tassels before washing according to the label.

Should I wash beach towels in hot or cold water?

Use the temperature stated on the care label. Sunday Supply Co.’s lightweight cotton beach towels are directed to be cold machine washed.

Can beach towels go in the tumble dryer?

Only if the product label allows it. Sunday Supply Co.’s lightweight cotton beach towel care guidance says not to tumble dry and to line dry in the shade.

Why does my beach towel still smell after washing?

The towel may have stayed damp for too long, been packed too tightly or not dried completely. Rewash it according to the label, dry it fully in an airy position and make sure the washing machine itself is clean.

Ready for the next swim

The easiest routine is simple: dry and shake out sand, treat visible marks, wash to the label and let the towel dry completely. A few minutes of care after the beach keeps packing lighter and the next swim more relaxed.

Browse the full range of cotton beach towels for easy-going colour, generous coverage and a lightweight feel made for days by the water.