Don’t go overboard with the amount of detergent you use
There’s no need for you to use loads of detergent when you are washing your towels. For one thing, that is ruining your towels permanently. You may think that way you will ensure that they are cleaner that way. But no, you will only be soaking your towels in a large amount of something challenging to rinse off. The more detergent you use, the longer the rinsing process should be, which is both uneconomical and detrimental for whatever is in the washing machine. Even if you use half the amount the detergent manufacturer suggests, you will still end up with clean towels. Therefore, opt for that; you will save a lot, including your towel.
Add fabric softener to keep towels soft after air-drying
The easiest way to keep towels soft after air-drying is to add fabric softener. Not only will they be beautifully soft, but they will smell amazing too. If you have an older one that has started to smell a bit bad lately, the softener will make even that towel wonderful to wipe your face with. An assortment of these fabric-softening products comes with many different smells. You can find them in stores almost anywhere.
Soften the water in your home
A big problem with keeping your clothes soft is the water you wash them with. In some countries, the water is so full of minerals that we say it is “hard.” This hard water dries your skin as well as anything you wash. Some systems soften the water in your home, making your clothes both last longer and softer to the touch. Your towels will love it, and so will your hands and face. Apart from that, it has been found that hard water destroys devices that use it. Your washing machine and all your faucets are bound to malfunction sooner if your tap water is too full of minerals. Therefore, consider investing in resolving this issue.
White vinegar has a way of making towels soft
One of the main reasons why towels become rough is the buildup of chemicals on their fibers. You can eliminate this by adding a cup of vinegar to your load in the washing machine every six weeks. First, this is the most natural way to remove dirt and chemicals from your towels. Also, vinegar loosens the fibers of your towels, making them very soft to the touch. The not-so-pleasant smell that comes with it will go away when it is rinsed properly, so don’t worry about that.
Don’t overfill the washing machine
It is understandable to want to wash the most laundry in one go, but that is not recommendable. It will make it hard for the washing machine to rinse everything, especially when it’s all packed together, barely allowing water to move through. The moving and storage experts from allstatemoving.net have noticed some people insist on relocating part of their stuff wrapped in sheets and large towels as this is an eco-friendlier way to do it. Whether you will do this is entirely up to you but make sure you don’t just stuff those towels and sheets into your washing machine. Fill the machine so there is enough space for the stuff to move around. Only then will you be able to wash things and rinse them properly.
Keep the temperature in the washing machine low
Speaking of washing machines, it is worth mentioning that too high a temperature will destroy your towels much sooner than you may wish it. That is undoubtedly a sure way to kill all microorganisms that might have decided to inhabit your towel, but you will be killing your towel too. And a towel that has been washed at 90° for example, and then air-died resembles more sandpaper than a softy it should be. Suppose you are especially worried about the bacteria and whatnot on your towels. In that case, there are antibacterial products for fabrics that can do the same trick but without ruining the fabric as hot water would.
Avoid drying towels on the radiator
Finally, a sure way to make your towels super rough is to put them on your radiator to dry. There are certainly reasons why it is essential to keep your towels dry. But the radiator will make them highly coarse, and it will be impossible to iron them. You must accept that giving some things time to do their job is necessary. Therefore, allow the ambient air time to properly dry your clothes and towels and save yourself the time you’ll need for ironing. This method of drying your towels on a radiator also shortens their lifespan, so avoid it if you care about your beautiful softies.
Final thoughts
So, for those who prefer a gentle touch from their towels instead of a rough, sandpapery one, these bits of advice to keep towels soft after air-drying can make a difference. And we mustn’t forget that when the towel becomes rough, there’s a good chance it is also getting destroyed. If you care about your towels as much as we do, put just a bit of effort into incorporating some of the abovementioned ideas. The result will be a longer-lasting towel that is beautifully soft when you touch it.
Meta description: Do you like your towels all nice and soft? Do you avoid tumble-drying? Here are some ways to keep towels soft after air-drying.
FAQs
Add fabric softener to keep towels soft after air-drying
The easiest way to keep towels soft after air-drying is to add fabric softener.
How to keep towels soft when air drying? ›
Add fabric softener to keep towels soft after air-drying
The easiest way to keep towels soft after air-drying is to add fabric softener.
Why are my towels stiff after air drying? ›
Towels air-dried outside become stiff and abrasive due to "bound water" that sticks to cotton fibers. Water's polar nature and unique hydrogen bonding, when bound to cotton cellulose fibers, result in the capillary adhesion that leads to fabric stiffness.
How to air dry towels without stiffness? ›
1 simplest way to keep your line-dried items from becoming stiff is to use white vinegar as a natural fabric softener. Then, substitute half a cup (or slightly less) of it for your regular fabric softener in the last rinse cycle. Don't worry; the vinegar scent will dissipate as the clothing dries.
How do you keep towels soft without a dryer? ›
How to keep towels soft without a tumble dryer
- Remove your towels from the washing machine as soon as it is finished.
- If it's a warm or windy day, line dry your towels in the fresh air.
- If you are drying your towels indoors, make sure they are either laid flat over a drying rack or are hung out flat.
If your towels are very stiff and scratchy, try adding around 250ml of vinegar to a wash along with your laundry liquid. Add it to the washing machine drum just before you load and set the cycle going, don't worry, it won't make your washing smell like a bag of chips.
What keeps towels soft and fluffy? ›
Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
Two pantry staples can help restore towels in just two wash cycles. “Vinegar and baking soda work like a charm when your towels are in need of some TLC,” says Eichholz.
What is the best fabric softener? ›
Our best overall pick is Downy Ultra Liquid Fabric Conditioner, which has a robust formula that offers seven different benefits (like wrinkle reduction, color protection, and freshness).
Is there a natural fabric softener? ›
White vinegar is a natural fabric softener that can help to eliminate static, reduce wrinkles, and leave your clothes feeling soft and fresh. Simply add half a cup of white vinegar to your laundry during the rinse cycle, and your clothes will come out smelling clean and fresh.
How do you soften stiff towels and washcloths? ›
Add Distilled White Vinegar and Wash as Usual
Do not add any detergent or fabric softener. Instead, add two cups of distilled white vinegar to the washer drum. The vinegar will help strip away the residue left in the towels that is causing them to feel stiff.
Add a fabric softener to your laundry load
– to get rid of any damp odour or stiffness that can come from air-drying clothes, we recommend washing your clothes with a fabric softener, like Lenor Outdoorable for unbeatable freshness.
Can you use white vinegar as fabric softener? ›
White vinegar is an all-natural and affordable fabric softener that can make your clothes feel softer and fresher than ever before. Simply add a cup to your washing machine's rinse cycle or create a pre-wash soak for extra stubborn stains.
When to add vinegar to laundry? ›
Using vinegar in laundry can be done two different ways. "After treating, you can add white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine," says Cohoon. "Or for a fuller rinse, manually pause your machine right before the final rinse cycle and add a 1/2 cup of diluted white vinegar to the load.
How do hotels keep towels soft? ›
Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can make towels less absorbent and feel rough over time. Five-star hotels often install water softening systems to remove these minerals, ensuring that towels maintain their softness.
Does vinegar keep towels soft? ›
Regular Maintenance: Every few months, give your towels a vinegar soak to prevent mineral buildup from hard water and maintain their softness. Doing this even a few times a year will help keep your towels soft all year long.
How do you keep towels soft when drying indoors? ›
Place a Lenor Dryer Sheet on top of your towels to preserve their just-washed-freshness, provide them with extra softness, and reduce creasing and static cling. 3. Choose the right setting. Use a lower heat and slower speed settings to prevent the damaging of the fibres of your towels.
How do you make towels soft after drying outside? ›
Be careful if drying towels outside - don't place them in direct sunlight as the sun's UV rays can fade them. Using a tumble dryer is the best way to keep towels fluffy and soft. Give them a good shake before you toss them in and don't let them get bone dry – there should be a little moisture left.
Why are my towels hard after tumble drying? ›
Think of it as a well-deserved massage for your hard-working towels. Ease off on the tumble drying. Tumble drying might seem like a good idea, but too much heat can damage the integrity of cotton, making your towels hard. Try a lower setting, or alternate between air drying and tumble drying.
