I've always heard one shouldn't use fabric softener when machine washing towels, as I think it decreases the absorbency of them. So how does one get soft towels?
I wash mine in Tide and tumble dry. No sheets/no liquid softener. Fold them while they're still warm. Soft.
I second the double rinsing. I heard that suggestion before and tried it myself and it does work.
I have had most of my towels for YEARS. When I bought new towels recently, they come out of the dryer much softer. If you notice, you get a LOT of lint from towels in the lint catcher. Over years of use, all that missing lint(cloth) reduces the plushness of the towel.
It's not something you normally think of as needing replacing, unless they are ragged/ratty/or stained. When I stopped to actually figure out how old my towels were... I was surprised by how old they actually were!
How long have you had your towels?
Just a thought...
Double rinse them (still using fabric softener) and they will be much fluffier.
Someone once told me to wash them in hot water and reduce the amount of soap you use.
You can buy rubber ball made for the dryer. They bounce around and soften clothes without chemicals.
Vinegar in the rinse cycle. Completely rinses all the soap out, but doesn't leave a smell. Even if there is a slight smell, it goes away in the dryer. Also works for dishes coming out sparkly. Oh, if you use vinegar, you get hardly any lint in the dryer, making all your clothes last longer. Something else I've read does it, and I have some on order, but haven't tried, is soap berries. I guess they leave clothes very soft. GL!
I wash them, then dry them with a dryer sheet to prevent static. My towels are always soft.
I bought bamboo towels.. they are SOOO soft. They do take longer to dry though. Bamboo also has a natural anti-microbial ability so it makes them nice for face and body. Most "Bamboo" towels are a blend of cotton and bamboo - I looked for the highest I could find. I actually got them on Overstock or Smartbargains.. one of the two.
Good luck :)
I put double fabric softner in when I do a load of just towels. It doesnt seem to make them less absorbent either. Just really soft and fragrant.
use 1 cup of baking soda in with your laundry- your towel, blankets and other clothes will be so soft! Plus it just boosts your detergent so your clothes get cleaner. I buy a big bag of it at Sam's.
~C.
