Wrapping yourself in a soft, thirsty, absorbent towel after a long shower or relaxing bath is one of life's simple -- but sublime -- pleasures. There's nothing quite like the feeling of fresh, fluffy terry against your skin, surrounding you in a clean, cozy embrace.

But keeping your towels in that dreamy spa-like state doesn't happen automatically. Maintaining bath towels that look beautiful, feel soft, and stay absorbent over time comes down to employing the proper care protocol, including using one essential product: enzyme laundry detergent. The laundry experts at Heritage Park are here to explain. We’ll show you why towels need special care, what enzyme detergent is and how it works, and why the enzymes in our liquid laundry detergent are the perfect partner for keeping your towels fresh and absorbent.

Towel Talk: Why Towels Need Special Attention in the Wash

When you think about it, we ask a lot from our bath towels. Not only are they used to dry off when we are clean (or, in the case of our children, supposedly clean), but they’re also the first line of defense on many occasions against plenty of stains, spills, and emergencies. They regularly collect a host of stubborn stains:

• Body fluids, sweat, and oils
• Personal care product residue
• Blood and organic matter
• Beverage spills
• Grass stains from outdoor use
• Mold, mildew, and dampness

And after all of that? We wash our towels and expect them to be fresh, clean, and ready when we need them next. That’s a tall order. But Heritage Park All-Purpose Laundry Detergent is up to the job.

"Properly cleaning towels is a big part of maintaining the feel, absorbency, and lifespan of your towels," said Erika Smith, Brand Manager at luxury home textile retailer Fine Linen and Bath. "That includes gently and effectively cleaning them with a detergent that effectively removes multiple types of stains while protecting the integrity of the fibers. The cleaning power of an enzyme detergent like Heritage Park is an absolute must for towels."

All About Enzyme Detergent: What You Need to Know When Washing Towels

Before we discuss Heritage Park All-Purpose detergent, let’s clarify how enzyme laundry detergent works. Also known as biological detergent or bio detergents, this category of detergent uses enzymes to break down tough stains. The use of biological detergents has definitely grown popular in recent years; however, the formula has actually been around for more than half a century, with the earliest biological washing powder being invented in the late 1960s. (At that time, most enzyme detergents were powder detergent, today, the majority of enzyme detergents are liquid laundry detergent).

How Biological Detergents Break Down Stains: It’s Chemistry

Stains come in multiple forms, including proteins, starches, and lipids; indeed, most stains are actually a multi-layered combination of these. Ice cream, for example, contains protein, fats, and starches. Trying to clean that ice cream stain with only protein enzymes would be ineffective because the starch and fat in the stain would coat or block the protein enzyme from working effectively This is why enzyme blends are essential; a good enzyme detergent contains multiple enzymes that work to clear paths for each other, thus boosting their collective power to remove stubborn stains. Think of laundry enzymes as position players in the stain removal war going on inside your washing machine; each works on a different type of stubborn stain or a specific component of a stain.

Note: Enzyme detergent is made to break down proteins in stains. It should not be used to launder protein-based fabrics like silk, wool, or cashmere. For washing those fabrics, including blends, use Heritage Park Silk and Wool Detergent, an enzyme-free an enzyme-free or non bio laundry detergent formula made to clean and care for natural fabrics.

The Power of Heritage Park's Enzyme Blend for Towels

With the chemistry of stains in mind, Heritage Park has infused our All-Purpose bio detergent with a sophisticated blend of five specialized enzymes, each of which targets specific types of stains and soils commonly found on towels and other laundry. We can’t reveal our specific recipe, but we are happy to offer an overview of the enzymes we use, each one carefully chosen for its unique properties:

Protease: Targets Protein-based Stains and Soils

Protease attacks blood, body oils and fluids; sweat and skin cells; dairy-based stains, including creamy body products; dirt, mud, and grass; coffee, tea, and other beverages that contain protein.

Alpha-amylase: Breaks Down Starch

Alpha-amylase will remove starchy stains like thickeners in personal care products and cosmetics (which can build up and cause towels to grow stiff).

Pectate Lyase: Removes Pectin

Pectate lyase removes pectin-based substances like natural thickeners in beauty products; sticky residue from skin care items; stains from fruit juices.

Mannanase: Loosens Gums

Mannanase will remove certain gum-based compounds like thickeners in personal care items; residue from deodorants; build up from body lotions; toothpaste and other bathroom products; and anything made with a thickener like ice cream or frozen desserts.

Lipase: Obliterates Oil and Grease

Lipase is essential for dealing with oily and greasy substances like body oils, greasy residue, oil-based moisturizers and cosmetics, greasy food (butter, oil, hamburgers), and other oily stains.

Gentle Care to Protect Your Towels (and Your Skin)

Heritage Park All-Purpose laundry detergent is more than simply effective; it also delivers the gentle care your towels (and your skin) deserve. Our enzyme blend gets your towels clean, while our gentle, plant-based, pH-neutral formula protects the towel fabric and fibers while being safe and non-irritating to skin. 

Our laundry detergent contains a short list of natural and naturally derived ingredients that clean and care for your towels without causing damage like regular detergents can. The liquid detergent can be used in any temperature water from hot to warm to cold, in regular and high efficiency machines, and to hand wash. It contains no harsh chemicals (no dyes, phosphates, sulfates chlorine bleach, or brighteners) and is certified cruelty free with no animal testing by Leaping Bunny. In 2024, Heritage Park Luxury All-Purpose Fragrance-Free Detergent was EWG VERIFIED®; this elite designation indicates that our Fragrance-Free formula meets the Environmental Working Group’s strictest criteria for safety and health. Our detergent is also biodegradable and safe for grey water and septic systems.

Certified Hypoallergenic and Dermatologist Approved

Our Fragrance-Free formula is also ideal for anyone with allergies or sensitive skin. It contains no fragrance or perfume and is lab-certified hypoallergenic and pediatrician- and dermatologist-approved; it’s wonderful for towels, sheets, clothes, and all your family’s laundry needs. If you prefer a subtle fresh scent, you can choose our Lavender Mist, Spring Magnolia, or Ocean Breeze varieties.

Comparing Popular Towel Detergents: Heritage Park vs. Le Blanc and The Laundress

At Heritage Park, we are proud of our sustainable ingredients, ethical sourcing, and environmentally-friendly performance of our All-Purpose Laundry Detergent. The table below compares our product to two other popular detergents -- Le Blanc and The Laundress -- and illuminates how we are the most cost-effective option with gentle, independently certified ingredients (including our EWG Verified labeling). 

Note: This table reflects the latest formulation of The Laundress Signature Detergent, which was recently relaunched after a voluntary recall for contamination beginning in late 2022.

Comparison of Leading Luxury Detergents 

Your Essential Guide to Towel Washing and Care

Follow these guidelines to keep your towels looking great, feeling soft, and staying absorbent.

Always wash your new towels before using them. Towels are coated during the manufacturing process with a special treatment that takes a few washes to remove. Read more about your new towels’ break-in period.

• Sort your towels by color and wash them in a towel-only load. Never launder towels with other laundry or items with zippers, buttons, snaps or adornments, which can cause your towel to pull or snag.Treat stains as soon as possible/before laundering. We recommend an enzyme-based stain remover or using our All-Purpose Laundry Detergent to pre-soak or pre-treat (mix a 1:1 solution of water and detergent in a spray bottle.
• Wash your towels on a regular cycle using Heritage Park All-Purpose Laundry Detergent. Warm water is best for getting towels clean and activating the enzymes. Never use fabric softener, which can leave a waxy coating on towel fibers and make them less absorbent.
• Shake towels before putting them in the dryer. Never use dryer sheets because they also leave a waxy build-up that damages a towel’s absorbency. Instead, use our pure wool dryer balls to naturally soften towels and speed drying time. Use three wool balls for a medium load and six for a large load.
• If you notice stray threads or pulls, snip them off to prevent further damage. Store towels in a cool dry spot away from heat or sunlight.
• Rotate your towels regularly! A recent survey from Fine Linen and Bath indicated that more than 2/3 (69.2 percent) of respondents have more than three towels per person in their homes. Rotating your towels will ensure regular, even wear.

A Quick Fix to Revive and Refresh Tired Towels

Sometimes even high-quality towels will show signs of wear, with a dingy look, scratchy feel, and odor that persists despite laundering. Many factors can cause this condition, including mineral build-up from hard water; a humid environment; and a build-up of soap or detergent in heavy towels that don’t get rinsed properly. You can restore your bath towels with three simple steps using just baking soda and white vinegar.

1. Wash your towels in warm to hot water -- not scalding -- with one cup of white distilled vinegar. This will strip towels of any built-up residue and help restore absorbency. DON'T USE DETERGENT, only white vinegar.
2. Run the load a second time using only a half-cup of baking soda. This will help freshen and remove any lingering smells. AGAIN, DON'T USE DETERGENT, only baking soda.
3. Dry according to instructions WITHOUT fabric softener sheets.

Using an enzyme detergent like Heritage Park All-Purpose can make a big difference in your laundry routine, especially when it comes to keeping your beloved bath towels clean, absorbent, and super soft. As always, our team is here to answer any questions you have about our products and laundry care. Give us a call or drop a line -- we are here to assist you!

Our Clients Also Ask These Questions

What detergent should I use for towels?

We recommend Heritage Park All-Purpose Laundry Detergent for washing towels. It is a gentle, pH-neutral formula (the fragrance-free variety is also hypoallergenic and EWG verified) that contains a powerful enzyme blend to remove stains.

When to use enzyme laundry detergent?

Enzyme laundry detergent can be used on cotton, bamboo, synthetics, blends, rayon, and polyester. It is good for washing clothing and household linens. Do not use it on natural, protein-based fabrics like silk and wool.

What are the downsides to using laundry detergent with enzymes?

Enzyme detergents are made to break down proteins and, therefore should not be used for regular washing of protein-based fabrics like silk, wool, and cashmere.

What is best to wash towels on?

We recommend washing towels on a regular or heavy-duty setting in warm water, which is most effective for removing stains and activating detergent enzymes.

Why are my towels so soapy after washing?

You may be using too much detergent or overloading your machine. Follow the guidelines on the detergent bottle and add an extra rinse if needed.

Do I need hypoallergenic laundry detergent?

Allergists and dermatologists frequently recommend hypoallergenic and fragrance-free laundry detergent to patients with allergies or sensitive skin.