How do I get my towels fluffy again?

Question

I was given some lovely towels for Xmas, but recently they have started to feel very harsh against the skin, Soaking them in lots of fabric softener doesn't seem to help! I really don't want to buy a whole new set, so any suggestions would be welcome!

Answer 1

Believe it or not the fabric softener is what is making them rough---build up. You need to wash the towels using white vinegar in the rinse. White vinegar will get rid of the softener build up. Then next time wash as normal... don't go over board on fabric softener. and periodically use white vinegar in your rinse.

Answer 2

Hard water & fabric softener are no good for towels. If you can afford it get a soft water maker. It takes out the minerals and saves you on soap because you use less. Fabric softener & dryer sheets are horrible for towels, they coat them and weigh down the material and they become harder & less absorbent.

Try what everyone was telling you about vineger that will help get the built up off. You can also use SNAP Fabric Softener by Market America. It is a powder softener,basically it is the sheets without all the glue & additives. It is so gentle I have used it for my son since before he was born. I pre-washed all his clothes & used this product and still do 2 yrs later and my towels are soft & fluffy. Check out the website below and try it.

Good luck & alwasy make sure to clean your dryer vents.

Answer 3

Sounds like too much soap.

If liquid soap, put 1/2 water in the cap of the detergent and then add the other 1/2 of liquid soap. Next step is important.

Add the soap to the water before you add the towels or things.
Don't add soap directly on the towels.
Then do the same with the cap of the liquid softener, only a very small amount added directly to the soapy water.

Then add the towels.

Add the liquid softener to the washer dispenser but remember to cut the amount by 1/2.
If you have a second rinse on the washer, use both rinses!

Towels dry fluffy if you add 1 or 2 of those fabric softener sheets in the dryer, and make sure you dry them completely.

Too much softener makes the towels....feel a bit slimey....and too much soap makes towels feel stiff and harsh.

Answer 4

Actually the problem is fabric softner...

Don't use on towels.

Put in waching mashine on HOT (really hot water) add a cup of vinegar & a cup of salt. (vinegar breaks down the fabric softner & salt draws it out) Allow to soak overnight. Then wash without detergent on Heavy Duty cycle. When that completes, then wash again on Hot/Heavy Duty with about 1/2 the recommended detergent.

If needed, wash them this way every time you wash until reasonalbe softness is restored.

When drying, dry on High Heat & add 1-2 dryer sheet to fluff towels back up & restore some softness.

Answer 5

When you wash your towels, don't use too much fabric softener. When you go to put them in the dryer, put a couple of tennis balls in with the towels and that should help.

Answer 6

Try this: After your towels are ready for the dryer....run the rinse/spin cycle again, only add 1 cup white vinegar to the rinse water. I think you may have a build-up of detergent and/or fabric softener. Vinegar is good around the house for hundreds of issues from cleaning windows, floors, keeping drains running, and many medicinal uses. I use apple cider vinegar for many, many things but for this, use white (distilled) vinegar.

Answer 7

heard a tip once that HOT water and white vinegar (very cheap fix) will cut through residue from soaps and softeners on towels. Soak them in the hot water and vinegar solution for at least an hour- more if really bad. You also can adjust the vinegar- it said about 1 cup per washload- so use more or less depending on your situation. I hope this helps!!

Answer 8

Wash the in GOOD fabric softener not just the cheap $1 fabric softener.

Answer 9

Use dryer sheets instead of fabric softener. After your next wash, run them again with water only, to remove detergent buildup. Then put tennis ballls in the dryer with them.

Answer 10

How do I care for my bath towels?


The best way to launder a towel is to machine wash it in warm water with a mild soap. Only use bleach on white towels. Tumble dry on cotton setting and fold promptly.
If you air dry your towels, shake them before hanging, and then shake them again when they're dry to fluff up the terry loops.
When washing your towels, avoid fabric softeners since they contain silicones that coat the terry fibers, stiffen towels and make them practically water-repellent. Many towels will retain their soft texture for years without the use of fabric softener.
Be sure to wash brand new towels before use; wash dark colors separately. Be aware that the first few times you wash deep-toned towels, they'll rid themselves of excess dye. This "bleeding" will stop after three or four washings.
To freshen towels and keep them smelling sweet, add a half-cup of baking soda to the wash cycle.
Another nice way to freshen towels is to add a lavender rinse to the wash cycle. People have used lavender for centuries for cleaning purposes due to its fresh scent and antiseptic properties. (To make the rinse: Fill a small muslin sachet with lavender flowers. Bring 3 cups of water to boil in a saucepan. Add the sachet to the boiling water. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the resulting infusion to the rinse cycle of the wash.)

Answer 11

Fabric softener often inhibits absorption...use clean tennis balls in your dryer, or they make Dryer Balls. The balls on there beat the towels up & make the nap stand up better. I don't use fabric softener any more because of that.