Bleach-proof salon towels keep their color when hair lightener, developer, or laundry bleach lands on them. Ordinary dark towels pick up orange spots after a few highlight appointments.
Key Takeaways:
- Bleach-proof towels resist lightener and bleach, but hair dye and toner can still stain them.
- Most come in black, charcoal, or navy to hide color transfer.
- California requires commercial laundering or a wash in water of at least 160°F for 25 minutes or more.
What makes salon towels bleach-proof?
The dye. Bleach-proof towels use dyes that hold up to oxidizers, the chemicals in lightener and household bleach that strip ordinary color. A cotton one can still go in a hot wash.
Bleach-safe salon towels are a different thing. They’re usually white, so there’s no dye to lose. Put dark bleach-proof towels at the color stations and white bleach-safe towels at cutting and nail stations. That split makes sorting easier on a busy day.
How to wash salon towels
California’s towel regulation says used towels go into a closed container. Then they’re either laundered commercially or washed hot.
- Drop used towels into a closed, lined container after each client.
- Rinse out color, toner, or lightener in cool water the same day.
- Pre-treat any color that’s left with heavy-duty detergent.
- Wash dark and white towels separately, and skip the fabric softener.
- Measure the bleach, since too much chlorine weakens cotton.
- Don’t overdry, and store clean towels in a closed cabinet.
Salon whites respond to the same chemistry that keeps hotel towels white. If your terry has gone stiff or sour, these gym towel laundry tips will help.
How OrangeBag runs salon towel programs
OrangeBag’s towel programs for salons, barbershops, and nail studios treat dye, developer, and toner before the wash. Whites go through bleach-safe processing, with no chlorine smell at the chair. You can rent towels or have your own stock laundered, and pickups are timed around your booking calendar.
FAQ
Can bleach still damage bleach-proof salon towels?
Yes, over time. The dye holds up, but too much chlorine slowly weakens the cotton and leaves towels thin and stiff. Hair dye and toner can still stain them, which is one reason they come in dark colors. Follow the care label for bleach and water temperature.
How many towels does a salon need?
Count the towels each service uses and multiply by your daily clients. Then multiply by the number of days between washes or pickups, and add a buffer for your busiest day. A Saturday color rush goes through far more towels than a quiet Tuesday, so plan your stock around the peak.
How often should salon towels be washed?
After every client. In California, a used towel goes into a closed container and can’t be used again until it’s laundered. Outside California, check your state board’s rules. Washing daily, or booking pickups around your busiest days, keeps clean stock from running short.
Ready to stop washing towels between clients?
A towel program gets the washer out of your back room and keeps every station stocked. OrangeBag will look at your chairs and bookings, then put pricing in writing.
