It's been my experience that they don't hold their color. If you are planning on just using them for decorating then go for it...but even washing in cold water, they will lose that "vibrant" color.

I had some in another house, and I don't recall any fading. Of course, I don't remember washing them either. LOL

Yes, I have burgundy bath towels that are over 20 years old. May be a tad lighter, but still obviously burgundy.

I would just be sure to wash all of them at the same time, everytime, so they'll all fade (or not) at the same rate. Otherwise you'll end up with a mixed set.

I'm really starting to like having all white towels, because I can bleach them and keep them snowy white. I can see where you would need some color, though. Black would look good in your bathroom, too, wouldn't it?

What about rugs? Could you bring in color with those?

I had navy towels once. They will fade and they also collect every speck of lint. Won't buy a dark color like that ever again.

I have both navy and dark red towels in my bathroom. They were expensive towels bought on sale and they're still beautiful after 6 or 7 years - fluffy with deep color, no pills or lint like other dark towels we've had over the years.

This isn't your question, but we use our bath towels several times between launderings. Hand towels I change much more frequently.

Sherry

I have and love my burgundy towels. They get washed in cold water together with no other items because yes, they do fade some. Perhaps the more expensive ones don't fade.

"I have both navy and dark red towels in my bathroom. They were expensive towels bought on sale and they're still beautiful after 6 or 7 years - fluffy with deep color, no pills or lint like other dark towels we've had over the years."

That is my experience too.
Except my navy towels are over 10 years old. They look as good as the day I bought them!

Mine are all Lands' End... not some cheapo stuff.

I actually have some dark towels I bought when I was in college, and working at a linen store. They're still fine and I'm still using them--even though they're 40 years (maybe more) old.

Some things do fade, some don't. If you want burgundy towels in your bathroom, by all means get some. I keep the 'pretty' towels that match for company--the family knows not to use them--they can use those old towels--LOL. If you're going to use them mostly for decoration and just occasional use--get the cheapest ones you can find, that you like the look of. And yes, always wash the whole set together to keep them relatively uniform looking.

And if worse comes to worse, and in a few years they fade--what a nice excuse to go out and buy another set of nice towels you like. Or, you can dye them. I often do that with my jeans when they get too faded looking. Gives them new life.

I've heard that a vinegar soak can set dyes, so you might start out that way. Be careful not to wash them with light colored fabrics which would leave light lint on them.

Tide has a new detergent called Total Care which is supposed to help hold the color in clothing. It's kinda pricey, but you could get a jug to use just for your towels.

I had to learn to wash my navy towels alone to avoid the lint they picked up from other towels.

My mother used to soak new dark colored clothes in a solution of salt water. She claimed it "set" the colors. I don't know. All my towels are pastels.

My MIL bought us several sets of burgandy towels for one of our bathrooms at Pennys. They look as good today as they did 5 years ago. I pay no attention to how they are washed, and they are great. Maybe they are better towels, I am not sure, I rather prefer the lighter weave towels than the heavy thick ones like these are. DH uses them daily.

Trin

I have a red bathroom and the towels faded after just a few washings. I assume burgandy would be about the same. I've thought about dyeing them but it's just another thing I never get around to.

I only buy white towels and linens so I'm no help.

You might want to get a couple just "for show" and use others for every day that way you'd still have the pleasure of having them

I had some nice deep wine coloured towels until last night when I mistakenly threw in a little bleach, I realized what I had done the minute I did it. Now my towels are tie dyed.

Anne

I don't understand the "just for show" towels. All ours get used all the time.

Some navy ones we have since the early 80's, are definitely faded. But, so what? They are old. They still get used a lot. Jerry takes them to the gym.

I am with others about colored towels. I think, I will go with white for my bathroom for the future, but will stick with dark towels for Jerry. Otherwise, I feel the need to wash them daily... they show dirt to much. :)

Mnoi

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. The sales woman did suggest the vinegar soak to set the colors. Currently all of our towels are either beige, cream or light green. I think that's why I was looking for some color.

My first inclination was to buy grey, silver, pewter, or light green or blue. But everyone in my family teases me for being afraid of color and I have to agree with them because I tend to stay on the safe side. So this time I was going to surprise them and get a dark color. I did see a medium shade of lavender that might do the trick, especially since it's a color that I've never bought before.

I think I'll be brave and try it. After all, one set of towels is probably the cheapest part of the entire remodeling. I'll soak them first in vinegar. Both Wikipedia and The Vinegar Institute suggested adding vinegar too.

Thanks again. Now all I have to do is install the towel bars so I have a place to hang the towels.

I had burgandy towels at our old house...then passed them on to my son when he went to college...He's home now so their packed away but I'm pretty sure they still look ok...any dark towel is gonna fade a bit...I wouldn't let this stop me from buying the color I want...I have Navy Blue in the kids bath and their holding up really well!!

Hubby used our tooth-whitening mouthwash, which contains peroxide, then wiped his face with a new burgundy towel.

Now the burgundy color has orange splotches.

Petaloid is right about the peroxide in teeth whiteners. Also, watch out for benzoyl peroxide in acne meds if anyone in your house uses them. But anything that comes in contact with things that contain peroxide - pastel towels, pjs, pillow slips, etc. - will bleach at the points of contact.