Crispy towels

DWhite

I just bought a Lakeland heated airer, works great! Only thing I find when using airers and washing lines is the crispy towels. I don’t want to use fabric softener. I know you’re not supposed to with towels any way. Any tips for getting nice soft clothes without having to buy expensive detergents?

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Crispy towels are better for exfoliating and drying yourself than squishy, soft ones. Embrace the crispy (or take them off the airer before they get that dry).

Brambleberry

5 minutes in a tumble drier before hanging them up or steam ironing them after drying both help to reduce the crispiness.
White vinegar instead of fabric conditioner also works well, but if you really want fluffy then it's tumble driers all the way!

MrsRogers

Maybe a spot of vinegar in when washing. Acts as a natural fabric softener

DWhite

Thanks! I’d heard of the white vinegar trick before but forgotten it! I’ll see if it helps ��

Aaleigha

white vinegar then a steam iron works for me when I line dry

thriftwizard

They don't get crispy when line-dried if there's wind, the constant movement keeps them nice & soft. If you have access to an outside line, just pick blowy days (when possible) to do your washing!

Topher

Line drying or when nearly dry on racks, tumble dry.

FluffityBunny

I use a tiny amount of washing powder on a 60c wash, then a quick blast in the tumble dryer with a tennis ball (tennis ball has revived all of my towels and made them fluffy), then hang on an airer to finish drying

coffeehound

I normally wash them at 40 degrees, but on the odd occasion that they’ve gone in at 60* they come out noticeably softer. Presumably the hotter wash removes soap or mineral residues that 40 leaves behind?

Going to try the steam iron trick this week — never thought of ironing towels before

daisy_1571

I love a crunchy towel, like jojo says I like how they get me dry whereas fluffy ones just slide the water about. If they are too bad tho just give them a few vigorous shakes/snaps (like you are trying to make them crack like a whip) and ruffle them together (like you drying a really, really, really thin person) and they will be fine.

Daisy xx