How to Store Towels Properly
Sep 4, 2026 / Public Storage
To store towels, wash and dry them completely, fold or roll them loosely, and place them in a clean container. Keep the container off the storage-unit floor and away from damp belongings, liquids and items that could transfer odors.
Preparing towels correctly can help limit musty smells, fabric buildup and deeply compressed folds while they are packed away.
How Should You Prepare Towels for Storage?
Wash towels according to their care labels before packing them. Dirt, body oils, food residue, sunscreen and other substances may become harder to remove when left in fabric for an extended period.
Follow these basic steps:
- Sort towels by color and fabric.
- Check each care label.
- Wash them with an appropriate detergent.
- Avoid overloading the washing machine.
- Dry every towel completely.
- Allow warm towels to cool before packing.
- Set aside heavily stained or damaged towels.
Fabric softener can leave residue that affects the absorbency of some towels. Use it only when the towel manufacturer recommends it.
Avoid unverified cleaning remedies. If a towel has detergent or mineral buildup, follow its care instructions or use a laundry product intended for that fabric. Never combine vinegar with chlorine bleach.
Do Different Towels Need Different Preparation?
| Towel type | Preparation before storage |
|---|---|
| Bath towels | Wash, dry completely and fold without heavy compression |
| Kitchen towels | Remove food, grease and cooking odors before packing |
| Gym towels | Wash promptly and confirm that no damp areas remain |
| Microfiber towels | Wash as directed and separate from lint-producing fabrics |
| Beach or pool towels | Remove sand and rinse away salt, chlorine or sunscreen residue |
| Decorative towels | Cushion embroidery or trim when needed |
Store similar towels together so they are easier to locate and rotate.
How Should You Store Bath Towels?
Fold bath towels loosely and stack them in a clean container. Avoid pressing down on the stack simply to fit more towels into the bin.
Cotton, terry cloth and blended bath towels can generally be folded, but the care label should determine how they are washed and dried. Place heavier towels at the bottom and lighter hand towels or washcloths on top.
How Should You Store Kitchen Towels?
Kitchen towels should be free of food particles, grease and strong cooking odors before storage. Wash them thoroughly and inspect them after drying.
Do not store towels that remain oily or contain food residue, because they may create odors or attract pests. Keep kitchen towels separate from bath and decorative linens.
How Should You Store Gym and Microfiber Towels?
Wash gym towels before packing them, even if they appear clean. Confirm that seams and folded edges are completely dry.
Microfiber towels may collect lint when washed or stored with cotton fabrics. Follow their care labels and consider packing them separately. Avoid fabric softener when the manufacturer advises against it.
Roll or fold microfiber towels without pressing them into a tightly packed container.
How Should You Store Beach and Pool Towels?
Shake out sand before washing beach towels. Rinse and clean the towels according to their care instructions to remove salt, chlorine, sunscreen and other residue.
Dry them completely before folding or rolling. Large beach towels can take longer to dry around hems and thick decorative areas, so inspect those sections before packing.
Is It Better to Fold or Roll Towels?
Both methods can work.
Folding Towels
Folding creates tidy stacks and works well in rectangular bins. Use broad, loose folds and avoid making the stack taller than the container can hold without pressure.
Rolling Towels
Rolling may help organize large beach towels or smaller gym and kitchen towels. Roll them loosely and arrange them so they do not unroll or become crushed.
The storage method matters less than making sure each towel is clean, dry and not tightly compressed.
What Is the Best Container for Towels?
A clean plastic bin with a fitted lid can limit direct contact with dust. A clean cotton or linen storage bag may also work in an appropriate indoor space.
Whichever container you choose:
- Make sure it is clean and dry.
- Avoid overpacking it.
- Do not drill ventilation holes into a plastic bin.
- Keep damp or scented items out.
- Label the contents by type, room or season.
- Check that the lid closes without pressing on the towels.
Cardboard boxes may absorb moisture when exposed to damp conditions. If you use cardboard, select a clean, sturdy box and keep it raised from the floor.
Should You Use Acid-Free Tissue Paper?
Most everyday towels do not require acid-free tissue paper. It may be useful for decorative, embroidered or lightly used linens stored for an extended period.
Place the tissue between embellished areas or at folds to provide cushioning. Do not assume that tissue paper will prevent every type of discoloration or fabric change.
Should You Use Cedar or Fragrance Products?
Avoid placing cedar, lavender oil, dryer sheets or fragranced sachets directly against towels. Oils, dyes and fragrances may transfer to the fabric or affect people with scent sensitivities.
Clean, thoroughly dried towels should not need added fragrance before storage. If towels smell stale when unpacked, wash and dry them again according to their care labels.
Where Should You Place Towels in a Storage Unit?
Place towel containers on stable shelving or a raised platform rather than directly on the floor.
When organizing the unit:
- Keep containers away from liquids and prohibited chemicals.
- Do not place them under items that could leak.
- Avoid stacking heavy boxes on top.
- Keep frequently used towels near the front.
- Maintain a simple inventory.
- Inspect the containers periodically during extended storage.
Do not store wet, soiled or unsanitary towels.
Should You Choose Climate-Controlled Storage for Towels?
Climate-controlled storage may be worth considering for household linens stored for an extended period or in an area with significant temperature or humidity changes.
These units are designed to help maintain more consistent temperature or humidity levels than standard storage spaces. They do not guarantee the condition of stored towels.
Learn more about climate-controlled storage.
What Should You Do When Removing Towels From Storage?
Inspect towels before using them. If they have collected dust or developed an odor, wash and dry them according to their care labels.
Do not use towels that are damp, visibly affected by mildew or contaminated by a spilled substance. Evaluate whether they can be cleaned appropriately before bringing them back into your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should towels be washed before storage?
Yes. Wash towels according to their care labels and make sure they are completely dry before packing.
Can you store towels in plastic bins?
Yes. Use a clean, dry bin with a fitted lid and avoid packing it so tightly that the towels remain compressed.
Should towels be stored in vacuum bags?
Vacuum bags may create deep folds and compress towel loops. They may be useful for limited space or short-term transport, but they may not be ideal for extended storage.
Is it better to roll or fold towels?
Either method can work. Fold towels for organized stacks or roll them to arrange different sizes. Avoid tight compression with both methods.
How do you keep stored towels from smelling musty?
Wash and dry them completely, use clean containers and keep them away from damp belongings. Added fragrances do not replace proper cleaning and drying.
Can kitchen towels go into storage?
Yes, if they are free of grease, food residue and strong odors. Do not store soiled or oily kitchen towels.
How often should you check stored towels?
Inspect them periodically during extended storage, particularly after a move or a change in local conditions. Check the container and surrounding area for moisture or damage.
What size storage unit do you need for towels?
Towels take up relatively little room and may fit inside a small unit with other permitted household linens. Use the Public Storage Size Guide to compare available spaces.
Clean, dry and loosely packed towels will be easier to organize and return to use. Find Public Storage near you and compare available unit sizes and features.
Features and amenities vary by location, facility and unit. “Climate-controlled” and related terms describe storage spaces designed to help maintain more consistent temperature or humidity levels compared with non-climate-controlled units. Public Storage does not guarantee temperature or humidity ranges. Confirm which features are available before renting.
