If your towels never quite feel like the ones at that fancy hotel do, and you find that you’re scratching yourself dry after your shower then don’t despair.
There is one easy change you can make to your washing that will have your towels feeling soft and cloud-like once again.
It’s not about the fabric, the detergent, or even how often you wash them. The real culprit? A common laundry habit that most people swear by.
The experts at Plumbworld reveal that this simple mistake is stripping your towels of their softness and absorbency, leaving them stiff, rough, and far from hotel quality.
To restore your towels back to their original state, all you need to do is ditch the fabric softener.
Fabric softeners contain silicone-based ingredients designed to coat fabric fibres, giving clothes a smooth feel.
However, this coating prevents towels from properly absorbing moisture and over time, the buildup creates a waxy residue that makes towels feel stiff and significantly reduces their drying efficiency.
Studies have shown that towels washed with fabric softener can lose up to 25% of their absorbency after just a few washes.
This build up of residue can also trap dirt and bacteria, making your towels smell musty and unpleasant.
If you want soft and fluffy towels, the first thing to do is ditch the softener and try a natural alternative instead.
Try white vinegar instead of the softener- around half a cup added to the rinse cycle should do it.
Vinegar naturally breaks down detergent buildup, removes odours, and helps restore softness without leaving behind any residue. It also acts as a mild disinfectant, keeping towels fresher for longer.
The other recommendation is to use less detergent. Too much detergent can also cause buildup, making towels stiff.
Stick to half the usual amount and opt for a mild, liquid detergent. Avoid powder detergents that can leave undissolved particles trapped in the fibres.
The way you wash your towels can make a difference too.
Before placing towels in the dryer, give them a good shake. This helps to loosen the fibres, preventing them from clumping together and feeling stiff.
Dry them with dryer balls, and if you can, occasionally dry them on the line instead to maintain softness while preventing overheating damage.
