rough towels?

homealone_2

how can i get my towels soft? we use basic powder, fabric softener and dry on a clothes horse. but my husband says they feel like they are going to rip him to shreds if they get any worse. i know tumble drying would probably make them better but would cost a fortune. how can i improve them?

snails's_pace

i dry mine in the airing cupboard..not outside or on a clothes horse...mind you my cupboard is like the towering inferno....

TAG

I've got egyptian cotton towels which your not supposed to use fabric conditioner on, which I don't, but they still feel a bit rough.

Went to my grans the other day and her towels are lovely and soft. She swears by comfort.

I do wonder if all the washing powder actually gets rinsed out so I'm using less at the moment to see if it makes any difference.

maxfactor_3

Why dont you iron them and use steam:D

milkydrink

Good quality fabric con (I use that new Comfort almond oil one) & tumble dry. Worth it, mine are soft thick fluffy & huge.

DKLS

Damn I thought this was a thread about how to make your soft towels rough AKA Hotel Towels , any one know how

snails's_pace

DKLS wrote: »

Damn I thought this was a thread about how to make your soft towels rough AKA Hotel Towels , any one know how

spray em with hairspray :whistle:

TAG

Umm try what homealone does?:D

moonrakerz

Tumble drying is the best way.
Using fabric softener actually reduces the drying efficiency of towels because it coats the fibres in a thin film of oil making the towel less absorbent.

netty_betty_2

i always try and dry my towels out on the washing line, but bring them in before they are totally dry, then finish them of in the tumble dryer for a few minutes with a bounce sheet to soften them up

peachespeaches

Add white vinegar to the rinsing water.

The reason they are so hard and crispy is a build up of detergent. I know this because I use cloth nappies for my little one. Use half usual detergent when washing towels. But in the meantime, you can strip them of the detergent by washing them without any powder and I think you add bicarb instead (but it might be soda crystals) will check! Then use white vinegar in the final rinse (no smell) instead of fab con. Tumble drying does soften them a bit, but if the detergent has built up they will still be hard.