Massage therapists provide healing and relaxation, but they often face a not-so-relaxing challenge afterward: how to get stubborn massage oil out of their towels. If your laundry routine isn't cutting it, leaving towels with a greasy feel and a lingering odor, you’re not alone.
Those oils—whether coconut, almond, jojoba, or a custom blend—are designed to stay on the skin, making them notoriously difficult to wash out. But don't despair! With a few simple tricks, you can restore your towels to their fluffy, absorbent, and fresh-smelling best.
Pre-Wash: The Crucial First StepThe battle is won before the wash cycle even begins. Always pre-treat your towels.

1. Shake and Scrape: After a session, gently shake the towel over a trash can to remove any loose hair or debris. Use a dull knife or a spoon to scrape off any excess, solidified oil.
   
2. The Power of the Pre-Soak: This is your most effective weapon. Fill a bucket, sink, or even your washing machine with hot water and add one of these powerful degreasers:
   
   • Baking Soda & Dish Soap: Create a paste with these two household heroes. Dish soap is specifically designed to cut through grease on dishes—it works wonders on towels too. Rub the paste into the oily areas and let it sit for 30 minutes before washing.
     
   • Borax or Washing Soda: These laundry boosters are excellent at breaking down oil and neutralizing odors. Dissolve ½ cup in your hot water pre-soak and let the towels sit for at least an hour, or even overnight for heavy oil buildup.
     

The Main Wash: Heat and DetergentAfter pre-treating, it’s time for the main event.

1. Load Moderately: Avoid overstuffing the washing machine. Towels need plenty of room to agitate and rinse thoroughly.
   
2. Use the Right Water Temperature: HOT water is essential. Heat helps to melt and dissolve the oils, allowing the detergent to lift them away from the fibers.
   
3. Choose Your Detergent Wisely:
   
   • Strong Detergent: Use a good-quality, heavy-duty detergent.
     
   • Add a Degreaser: Boost your detergent’s power by adding ½ cup of white vinegar or baking soda to the wash cycle. Vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener and cuts through residue without the harsh chemicals.
     
4. Double Rinse: This is a non-negotiable step for massage towels. Run an extra rinse cycle to ensure all traces of oil and soap are completely removed. Any leftover residue will make towels feel grimy and reduce their absorbency over time.
   

Drying: The Final Touch

• Tumble Dry on High: The heat from the dryer will help ensure any tiny, residual oil particles are eliminated. If you’re concerned about shrinkage, check the towel’s care label first.
  
• Sun-Dry for Freshness: For the ultimate fresh smell and a natural whitening effect, hang your towels outside in the sun. The sun is a natural disinfectant and bleach!
  

Pro Tip: Prevention is KeyKeep a stack of inexpensive, dark-colored towels specifically for ultra-oily treatments like hot stone massage or aromatherapy. This way, if some staining occurs, it won't matter on a dark fabric.
By following these steps, you can extend the life of your towels, ensure your clients always have a fresh, clean experience, and make your laundry day much less of a chore. Your towels will thank you

Behind the Scenes: The High-Tech World of Singapore’s Industrial LaundryIn a bustling metropolis like Singapore, cleanliness and efficiency are paramount. While we see the crisp uniforms of hotel staff, the pristine linen in hospitals, and the fresh towels at luxury spas, we rarely consider the complex process behind them. This is the world of industrial laundry—a massive, automated operation that keeps the city running smoothly.
So, how does it actually work? It’s far more sophisticated than your home washing machine.
Step 1: Collection & Sorting (The "Dirty" Work)
It begins with logistics. specialised drivers collect soiled linen from clients across the island in clearly marked bags, often colour-coded by fabric type (e.g., red for heavily soiled hospital linen). Back at the massive facility, the first crucial step is manual sorting. This is a skilled task where workers separate items by fabric, colour, and soil level to determine the correct washing formula. This step is vital for both cleaning efficacy and garment care.
Step 2: The Industrial Wash Cycle
This is where the magic happens. Sorted items are loaded into massive, computer-controlled washer-extractors that can hold hundreds of kilograms per load. Unlike home machines, these industrial units inject precise amounts of water, detergent, bleach, and other chemicals (like sour or softener) at specific temperatures and times. The programs are meticulously designed for the load type—a program for hotel bedsheets will be very different from one for greasy kitchen mops from a restaurant.
Step 3: Drying & Ironing (The Power of Automation)
After the wash cycle, items are transferred to giant tumble dryers. For flatwork like sheets and tablecloths, the most impressive step is next: the ironer. Items are fed into a massive roller ironer, which uses extreme heat and pressure to press them perfectly flat in a continuous, automated feed. For items that can't be pressed, like towels, they are simply fluffed and dried.
Step 4: Quality Control & Packing
Nothing leaves the plant without a strict check. Quality control staff inspect items for stains, damage, or improper pressing. Once approved, items are counted, folded (often by automated folding machines), and packed according to the client’s specific order. They are then placed on trolleys or in clean bags, ready for delivery.
The Singaporean Difference: Technology & Sustainability
In land- and resource-scarce Singapore, leading industrial laundries are innovators. They invest in water recycling plants to drastically reduce consumption, use energy-efficient machinery to lower their carbon footprint, and employ sophisticated software to track every item from collection to delivery. This ensures not just cleanliness, but also total accountability and efficiency for their clients.