How do you get your towels soft and fluffy?

Question

i do use fabric conditioner but they still feel like sand paper

Answer 1

Rinse with fabric softener and THOROUGHLY DRY them in the clothes dryer. Downy is a good fabric softener. However, be aware that fabric softeners tend to break down the fabric after a while, so it is a double-edged sword. If you hang them on a clothes line to dry, they won't fluff out so they won't be as soft as you'd like them to be. If that does not work, maybe you need to buy higher quality, 100% cotton towels. Avoid the thin ones because they don't hold up as well as the thick ones do.

Answer 2

Start out by buying good quality towels. Are the towels you are using old and losing their nap? You might need to replace them. Since you have had lots of answers regarding fabric softener, I will just say this, I use the dryer sheets and I have seen a noticeable difference in fluffiness.

Answer 3

A lot depends on the thread count of the towel. The higher the better. Also, if you have hard water (well water) and a high iron level will make clothes harder

I use Tide detergent and Gain Liquid fabric Softener. Love the way they smell and feel

Answer 4

Honestly, they say it is best to hang dry towels due to the fact they loose their absorbency abilities as they are dried in a dryer.

And to be more honest, I have not used my dryer for drying anything for 4 months now. It was mainly to cut back on electricity, but then I read that it also saves your clothing to because the dryer breaks down the fibers of the material.

And if I want my things really really soft, hang them out when the old wind is whipping outside. Then you have soft and fresh smelling towels and clothing.

Answer 5

Dry them in a tumble dryer.

Drying on a line no matter how you've washed them and used fabric conditioner makes them stiff and hard!!

Answer 6

You have to catch the actual Snuggle fabric softener bear and throw him kicking and screaming into the dryer with your load of towels. C'mon, you know you'd love to at least see that.

Answer 7

If you're using fabric softner in the wash you should also use softner sheets inthe dryer too!!! maybe you just need to take some money and buy a better material of towels.

Answer 8

Shaking seems to be the answer. Shake them before you put them in the dryer (or hang them on the line). Shake them again after they dry. This helps to "fluff" them up.

From a website: Do NOT use fabric softeners or dryer sheets on your towels! Washing in fabric softener coats the terry fibers with silicones, and will actually make towels less absorbent. To freshen towels and keep them smelling sweet, add a half cup of baking soda to the wash cycle. You'll end up with extra-fresh smelling towels!
If you're hanging your towels outdoors to dry, shake them out before hanging, and shake them again before folding. This fluffs up the terry fibers, making the towels soft and absorbent again. During summer's humid months, don't let wet towels hang in the bathroom all day. Toss them in the dryer for five or ten minutes, to speed drying. Then hang them up, and they'll dry in an hour or two. Remember that towels need more frequent laundering in warm, humid weather.
http://home.ivillage.com/cleanandorganize/cleaning/0,,8950,00.html

Another: If the towels are brand new, it may take 3-4 washings before they gain their full absorbency potential as well as softness and fluffiness.

The most common deterrent to absorbency is fabric softener. I know all the commercials and ads tell you to use fabric softener on your towels to make them smell fresh. Every time you add fabric softener it builds up on the fibers and reduces the ability to absorb.

• Wash deep colored towels before use to reduce their tendency to bleed.
• Use 1 cup of vinegar when washing towels the first time as it will help set the color.
• Wash like colors together.
• Use warm water for colored towels. White towels can be washed in hot water.
• Use non-chlorine bleach.
• Use about ½ the normal amount of detergent.
• Use ¼ - ½ cup of vinegar in the rinse water to remove soap residue.
• To fluff up the loop on your towels, shake them before you put them in the dryer and again when you take them out.


http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/household_tips/117871

Answer 9

using fabric conditioner is a no no, so much so that marks and Spencer have notices in their stores advising against it.

Wash without the conditioner and notice the improvement.



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Answer 10

Good quality fabric conditioner from new.....and I find mine are best if I dry them thoroughly in the tumble dryer.
Best wishes, mike.