If you are anything like me, then I am a sucker for nice towels. I just can’t seem to stop buying them!
From pretty decorative towels to animal print towels to just plain bath sheets, I want them all.
There really is nothing better than using your brand new towel for the first time, to have that soft, fluffy, velvety feel brushing on your skin after a hot shower or bath.
But it just never lasts does it? After a few washes, or uses, you may find that your once soft and smooth towels have become hard, rough and like sandpaper.
So how do you get them back to that soft, fluffy and brand new texture again?
This guide is here to help you find out!
How do you make towels soft and fluffy again?
Towels can get rough, crusty feeling and tough after a few uses. But, this doesn’t mean that they have to stay that way.
There are a few methods that you can use to keep your bath towels and hand towels fresh, clean, soft and fluffy.
The first thing you should do is cut back on how much detergent you use. This can build up on your towels and make them feel stiff and tough.
Try using less detergent than is usually suggested, and your washing machine’s rinse cycle should work much better when washing away soaps and residue.
You should also use warm water to rinse and clean your towels instead of scorching hot water or cold water, as this will work best to remove any build up of residue.
In addition to this, you should not be washing too many towels at once in your washer.
Some towels can be thick and bulky, and so throwing them all in at once will make it very hard for your washing machine to reach all of the dirt and detergent.
The same rules apply when using your dryer too, or you could end up with stiff and rough towels again.
Most recommend only washing two or three towels at a time so that they can really get a good rinse.
Also, when you are drying your towels, it would be best to use a lower setting, so that the high temperatures are not ruining the integrity and the fabric of your towels, which could result in a rougher texture over time.
The best way to dry your towels for the ultimate fluffiness is by partially air drying them or placing them on a line, and then finishing them off in the dryer on a cool setting for a plush, soft feel.
Why are my towels so rough after washing?
After a few washes, your towels may feel horrible, hard and rough. This can happen for a few reasons, and trust me, it is not just you.
One of the main reasons that you towels will become hard after washing is because soaps, cleaning detergents and residue will build up, and dry out the fibers.
You may be trying to counteract the problem by washing your towels with more laundry detergent and fabric softener, but this is just going to make the problem worse.
Fabric softeners will get stuck and dry onto your towels, which is what can make them feel rough and horrible.
In addition, dryer sheets and softeners can become lodged in the fibers of your once beautiful towels, and make them feel crunchy, crispy and rough to the touch.
This will also make them less absorbent, scratchy, and not very nice on your skin after a shower.
So, you will want to ensure that they never become rough and scratchy again with a few of my hints and tips!
How to stop towels from becoming rough
One of the best tips that I can give you is to stop using fabric softener on your towels. It may seem counterintuitive, but trust me, it works.
Fabric detergents and softeners just coat and get lost in the fibers, making them dry, hard and crispy.
For a perfectly smooth, soft and fluffy towel, you are going to want to replace fabric softeners with vinegar and baking soda.
To soften your towels, you should use one cup of white vinegar every six weeks, to get rid of the soapy residue, and restore the softness.
In addition, half a cup of baking soda mixed with a little detergent will work to break up and loosen the fibers of your towels, making them soft, fluffy, whilst also eliminating dirt and odors.
Rinse and wash your towels with these household ingredients, and you will have soft, fluffy towels once again!
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