Good cotton rewards good care. A few simple habits will keep your poncho soft, thirsty and colour-rich for many summers to come.
Wash at 30°C
Warm-but-gentle is the rule. Machine wash at 30°C to protect both the colour and the soft cotton pile. Very hot washes are the fastest way to age any towel — cooler is kinder.
Skip the fabric softener
It feels counter-intuitive, but fabric softener coats cotton fibres and actually reduces absorbency over time. For a plush, thirsty poncho, leave it out. A little white vinegar in the rinse now and then helps keep things fresh and fluffy.
Dry gently
Air-drying is best where you can. If you tumble dry, use a low heat and take it out while it still has a touch of give — over-drying makes cotton stiff.
Wash before first use
Give your poncho a first wash before its debut. It sets the fibres, lifts absorbency and gets it ready for the season ahead.
A note on honesty
No towel lasts forever — anything that goes in the wash regularly will show its years eventually. But treat your poncho kindly and it’ll stay lovely for a long, long time. More about the cotton and the craft →