Caring for Hammam Towel Fringes: Washing, Detangling, Re-Knotting
Fringes are the hallmark of the traditional peshtemal: on many models they are knotted by hand after weaving. But it is exactly these ends that like to tangle in the washing machine, turn stringy or come loose after many washes. With the right preparation, a gentle wash and a few simple steps afterwards, they stay beautiful for years. Here you will learn step by step how – and what to do if a knot does come undone.
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What types of fringes are there?
Fringes are not a sewn-on trim but the ends of the warp threads that run lengthwise through the entire towel during weaving. That is why they are part of the towel's construction and secure the woven edge. Not every hammam towel has the same ends. How much care they need depends on how they are made:
- Hand-knotted: The warp threads are divided into small bundles and knotted at the edge of the fabric. This is the classic form, for example on the ADRIA hammam towel, the SULTAN hammam towel or the Ocean StayOn hammam towel.
- Twisted: The bundles are additionally twisted into a cord and knotted again at the end. They tangle a little less.
- Without fringes: The towel is hemmed all the way round. If you want no care at the ends at all, this is a good choice. More on the decision in the article Sauna towel with or without fringes.
Handmade ends are never perfectly even. Small differences in the length and thickness of the bundles are not a flaw; they show that people, not machines, did the work.
Washing hammam towel fringes properly
Before the first wash
Our hammam towels should be washed before first use. With pure cotton it is normal for a towel to shrink a little – the Manolia hammam towel, for example, by up to around 10 %. This also affects the ends, which often look a little fuller afterwards.
Preparation
- Fold loosely: Fold the towel so that both fringed ends are on the inside.
- Laundry bag or pillowcase: A large laundry bag or a buttoned-up pillowcase stops the threads from wrapping around other items.
- Don't overload the drum: The more room the towel has, the less it rubs.
- Don't wash with zips: Hooks, Velcro and zips can catch in the knots.
Wash programme
Follow the care label. For all our hammam towels: 30 °C, no fabric softener. For MAHINA and Manolia, the care instructions also say “do not bleach”. A gentle programme with a low spin speed protects the knots even more. Fabric softener coats the cotton and can reduce its absorbency – so it is best to avoid it altogether.
Drying and detangling
The most important moment for beautiful ends is right after washing, while the towel is still damp.
- Shake out firmly: Hold the towel by one long side and shake it out two or three times. Many threads sort themselves out on their own.
- Detangle with your fingers: Run your spread fingers from top to bottom through the bundles, like a wide-toothed comb. Don't tug – gently pull knots apart.
- Hang to dry: Hang the towel so that the ends fall straight down. That way they dry straight rather than crumpled.
- In the air: Our hammam towels are best air-dried. In our experience at the Meri Sauna, this takes about 30 minutes in the sun and around 60 minutes indoors.
Common problems and quick fixes
| Problem | Common cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Ends completely knotted | Washed without a bag, drum too full | Detangle with your fingers while damp, use a bag next time |
| Stringy and stiff | Dried lying flat or crumpled | Dampen briefly, shake out, hang to dry |
| A knot has come undone | Many washes, pulling on the threads | Re-knot the bundle (see below) |
| Individual threads too long | Normal wear | Trim carefully with sharp scissors |
| Lint in the bundles | Washed with terry cloth or fleece | Shake out, wash hammam towels separately |
When a knot comes loose: how to re-knot
With hand-knotted ends, a knot can loosen after many washes. Usually it is enough to tighten it again with your fingers. If it has come completely undone, you can re-tie it in a few seconds:
- Gather the loose threads of the bundle and smooth them out.
- Make a loop, pass the ends through and push the knot close to the woven edge with your thumb and index finger.
- Pull it tight without tugging at the fabric.
- Match the length to the neighbouring bundles and trim any protruding threads if needed.
What you should avoid: pulling individual threads to get them “straight”, or cutting the ends off completely. This can cause the woven edge to unravel.
Twisting loose bundles into cords
If the ends of a towel keep matting, you can turn them into twisted cords. For a whole towel this takes about half an hour and holds very well afterwards:
- Divide a bundle into two strands of equal thickness.
- Twist each strand individually in the same direction until it wants to curl slightly.
- Place both strands side by side and twist them around each other in the opposite direction. The counter-tension keeps the cord in shape on its own.
- Tie a firm knot at the end and trim the threads below it evenly.
After the beach, sauna and pool
Depending on where you use your towel, something different gets into the threads:
- Sand: After the beach, shake the towel out while dry before it goes into your bag. When wet, sand sticks in the bundles.
- Salt water and chlorine: If you can't wash it straight away, at least rinse the towel with clear water and hang it up. Dried salt makes the ends stiff.
- Sauna: After a sauna day, don't leave the towel damp in your bag – spread it out or wash it as soon as you get home.
What helps in everyday use
- Don't hang it on hooks that go through the bundles: Better to drape the towel over a rail or a wide hook.
- Think when folding: If you fold the towel so the ends are on the inside, they are protected in your sauna bag. Tips are in Folding and rolling a hammam towel.
- Store away from Velcro: Velcro can latch onto the threads in your bag too.
- On the lounger: With the Ocean StayOn, the sewn-in pocket holds the towel on the backrest so nobody accidentally pulls on the ends.
On some towels the ends are also a design element: the MAHINA hammam towel has grey fringes in all three colours, the Ocean hammam towel colourful ones. To keep them looking that way, the same care applies to both.
Related reading: Ironing a hammam towel: necessary or not? · Care Symbols Explained: How to Read Any Laundry Label · Drying laundry in winter: why hammam towels have the edge
Conclusion
Hammam towel fringes need little care, but the right care: fold the ends inwards, wash in a laundry bag at 30 °C without fabric softener, shake out while damp and detangle with your fingers, then hang to air-dry. If a knot comes loose, it is quickly re-tied. That way your towel gets softer with every wash – and its ends still look neat.
Frequently asked questions
Can a hammam towel with fringes go in the tumble dryer?
For our hammam towels we recommend air-drying. In the dryer the ends rub against each other more and tangle more easily.
Can I cut off the fringes?
Individual loose threads, yes; the bundles themselves, better not. They hold the woven edge together.
Why are the ends stringy after washing?
Usually because the towel dried crumpled up. Dampen briefly, shake out and hang to dry.
Which towels have hand-knotted fringes?
Among others ADRIA, SULTAN, Manolia, Ocean StayOn, the Diamant mini hammam towel and the Towel To Go.
How often do I need to re-knot?
Rarely. With gentle washing, the knots last a long time. A loosened knot is tightened again in seconds.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.