If you’ve ever asked the question, “How do I keep a towel soft?” We can help, both hard water and friction can wear down fabrics. Not to mention the constant exposure to oil and soil. Regular washing and drying can make the fibers of the towel stiff and itchy, but knowing which wash temperature to use, how to load it into the washing machine, and which product to choose can restore the towel’s softness and keep it soft. We’ve rounded up some tips to keep your towels as good as new.
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Why Are Your Towels So Hard and Itchy?
A combination of factors can make towels tough and itchy, including using fabric softeners and excess detergent. But another reason could be hard water in your area. Hard water is water that contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can make your clothes harder to wash. So are towels.
A water softener helps keep limescale from building up in your washing machine and other appliances, but otherwise, try using a cup of white vinegar in your washing machine to soften your towels.
Will Fabric Softener Make Towels Soft And Fluffy?
With a whole line of fabric softener products adorned with cozy-sounding adjectives—cute, fluffy, comfy, etc., you’d think this would be a must-have for a soft pillow cover, right? but it is not the truth. In fact, our experts say it’s a waste of money.
They advise against using fabric softeners, as not only are they expensive and bad for the environment, but they also coat towels with a thin layer of chemicals, which reduces their absorbency and may mean you need to wash them more often. More frequent cleaning equals. Not so soft towels.
Instead, add half a cup of vinegar to your fabric softener dispenser.
How To Soften A Towel And Keep It Soft
Lighten Your Load
Don’t put too many towels in the washing machine at one time. Not only will it warp the machine, but there won’t be enough room to rinse off dirt and detergent from the towel. The same goes for your dryer; if it’s overloaded, there won’t be enough air in the dryer to fluff the fabric. So you get hard, padless towels instead of soft, fluffy ones. For most standard machines, try using two to three bath towels at a time, as well as hand towels and towels.
throw in a tennis ball or dry ball
Putting some unused tennis balls or dryer balls in the dryer will help remove lumps while softening and fluffing the towel.
Wash In Warm Water
Warm water absorbs detergent better and reduces build-up on towels. You can also let the detergent dissolve in the washing machine before adding the towels – just start the wash cycle, add the soap, and wait a minute or two before adding the towels.
Use vinegar instead of fabric softener.
Fabric softeners contain silicon, which makes towels water-repellent, so they won’t wash well. Instead, soften your towel with a cup of white vinegar about every six weeks; this will remove the soapy residue that makes the towel feel harsh and restore softness while restoring its full absorbency. Just wash the towel regularly and re-wash with vinegar instead of soap.
Use Baking Soda
This will help loosen the fibers, remove any chemicals or dirt, and make the towel softer. Just mix half a cup of baking soda with the normal amount of detergent. Plus, if you keep a damp towel in your gym bag or on the bathroom floor, baking soda will naturally eliminate musty odors.
Reduce Detergent Usage
Towels feel stiff as they start to accumulate soap residue. By using a little less detergent than recommended, your machine’s rinse cycle will make it easier to wash off those last pesky soaps.
Easy Tumble Drying.
True, this will make the towel fluffy, but the heat of the dryer will destroy the integrity of the Turkish cotton. So use a lower setting or alternate between air drying and tumble drying. You can also partially dry the towels online and then dry them in the dryer. If you prefer thread drying, shake out the towel afterward to fluff the fibers, or place it in a cool dryer for added softness.
In Summary
Itchy, stiff towels are the worst. When you step out of a steaming shower, you want to wrap yourself in a soft, fluffy, plush cotton blanket, not a sheet that’s crunchy like sandpaper.
As it turns out, you may be doing things to your laundry that affect the loft factor, like using too much detergent, or using fabric softeners. Following our recommendations can help you make a few adjustments to your laundry routine that will have Helps you use very soft towels.
