There’s nothing worse than stepping out of the bath or shower and drying yourself off with a stiff and scratchy towel
Everyone relishes the sensation of enveloping themselves in a plush, fluffy towel after a soothing shower or bath. However, over time, towels can become abrasive and rigid, making this experience far less luxurious and more bothersome.
Fortunately, you don’t have to endure this with your towels, regardless of their age. Molly Freshwater, Founder of Secret Linen Store, has divulged her top expert advice for ensuring your bath towels remain sumptuously soft and fluffy throughout the year.
Less is more
Her initial advice is to go easy on the detergent.
High-quality bath towels should feel dense and lavish; however, due to this, the detergent can be more challenging to remove during rinse cycles than other materials, reports the Express.
If you’re using too much, it will build up over time and may result in your towels feeling hard and stiff. It’s also crucial to use a gentle detergent, as towels are made from natural fibres like cotton.
Harsh detergents can inflict permanent damage to these fibres.
Detergent add-ins
Another suggestion is to add a splash of vinegar to the wash. To soften towels, try adding 250ml of white vinegar to your wash alongside your regular laundry liquid.
Simply pour the vinegar directly into the drum before loading your towels, and start the cycle as usual. The vinegar works by breaking down any detergent residue or mineral build-up in the fibres, which can leave towels feeling coarse.
It helps to restore softness and absorbency without harsh chemicals, leaving your towels fresh and cosy. Don’t fret about your towels smelling like vinegar – it will all be washed away, leaving just the scent of fresh, clean laundry.
Keep it cool
Temperature is also key to keeping towels soft. It can be tempting to put your laundry on hot to get them extra squeaky clean but this can actually make them stiff.
Like harsh detergents, hot water can strip the natural fibres of their softness, leaving them rough and less absorbent. To keep them fresh and soft, Molly recommends washing your towels at a cooler temperature, between 30 and 40 degrees.
Give them space
Even if it is easier to just chuck all the towels in the same wash, this can actually make them crispy and won’t get them properly clean.
When there are too many towels in the machine, the detergent and fabric conditioner can’t rinse out properly. For the best results, try washing your towels in smaller loads.
This way, the detergent gets a chance to properly rinse out, leaving your towels feeling soft, fluffy, and ready to use after every wash.
Keep it natural
A tumble dryer can be your best friend when it comes to towels, but it could also be making them feel stiff and scratchy. For that perfectly soft feel, use a low heat setting and remove them while they’re still slightly damp before hanging them up outside.
Alternatively, harness the power of nature and hang them outside on a windy day. The wind acts as a natural agitator, keeping those fibres wonderfully soft.
Give it a shake
Want to keep your towels super soft and absorbent?
Give them a good shake both before and after drying, whether they’re going into the tumble dryer or onto the washing line.
This simple step helps to loosen the fibres and encourages better airflow, leading to softer results. Once they’re dry, another shake will prevent stiffness and maintain their beautiful fluffiness.
Store them cleverly
How you store your towels can make a big difference to their softness. Folding them too tightly or burying them under heavy stacks can flatten the fibres, making them feel stiff over time.
To preserve their delightful softness and absorbency, store them loosely with enough space for air to circulate. This simple storage tip helps them maintain their fluffiness and keeps them feeling fresh for longer.