It is the curse of anyone who buys a nice set of towels: after repeated use they become rough and stiff like the most cheap bathroom linen. Although it is difficult to restore them to their original state, there are several tricks that allow you to regain some softness even when they are worn and worn. Plus, these are easy tricks: all you need is your regular laundry detergent (plus some household products if you want to try less common solutions).
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Changing the way you wash your laundry
Step 1. Use less detergent
There are various reasons why a fluffy towel can become stiff. However, one of the most common is the excessive use of detergent. Over time, the chemicals contained in these products can build up in the fibers, making them harder and less permeable. To avoid this, use less detergent than indicated for each load. This will make it easier for the washing machine to remove soap residues during the rinsing phases.
Don't be afraid to decrease the amount of detergent. It is not certain that the clothes will remain dirty. According to some studies conducted in the United States, most people use more detergent than necessary to do their laundry. An added benefit you will get by reducing the use of this product is the money saving
Step 2. Give the towels the necessary space inside the basket
If you want your towels to be soft, resist the temptation to load all the laundry in one go. For best results it is preferable that they have enough space in the washing machine so that they are rinsed and wrung out properly. In other words:
- Make small to medium manageable loads. Fill the basket halfway so you don't pile up the clothes. This applies as much to the washing machine as it is to the dryer.
- Wash the towels yourself (without putting any more clothes in the washing machine). In addition to taking up more space, garments with zippers and buttons can wear down the fabric of the towels.
Step 3. Use a hot water program (and set a cold rinse)
If your washing machine gives you the ability to set different temperatures for both washing and rinsing, choose a hot water program followed by a cold rinse cycle. Many sources on the Internet recommend it: hot water stretches fibers and helps remove dust, dirt and soap residues that can stiffen fabrics, while cold rinsing shrinks them, decreasing the risk of them thickening.
Check the label for washing instructions before washing the colored towels. Most white towels are safe in hot water, but hot water can fade colored fabrics
Step 4. Reduce dryer usage
This appliance can be a double-edged sword. While it instantly makes towels softer, repeated use can wear down the fabrics, reducing their softness over time. Fortunately, there are several ways to avoid this problem:
- Use more delicate programs, at lower temperatures and speeds.
- Alternate drying methods: once you put the dryer on and another, hang out the clothes in the fresh air.
- Dry them on the clothesline and then "spice up" them with a short cycle in the dryer.
Step 5. Try putting the towels in the washing machine once the detergent has dissolved
Some sources point out the importance of knowing when to wash towels, not just how. If you have a machine with a higher load capacity, try adding a small amount of detergent, letting the drum fill with water, and then inserting the towels. Avoiding direct contact between the detergent and the fabrics will not allow soap to accumulate in the fibers and will keep their softness intact.
Step 6. Fold and hang the towels to keep them soft
Don't forget that the laundry doesn't finish when you take your towels back from the dryer, the way you fold and store them can also affect their texture. Try using the following tricks to keep your bathroom linens soft.
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Don't squeeze them when you fold them to prevent them from wrinkling. Alternatively, roll them up without applying too much pressure. A great way to fold them is as follows:
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- Place the towel lengthwise (so that the short edge is facing the floor). Fold it in half to create a long, thin strip.
- Gently fold it into three parts: first one edge towards the center, then the other over the first and align both so that you get a neat bundle.
- Fold the bundle in half again and save the towel.
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- Store folded towels by placing them side by side (like books) instead of on top of each other. This will prevent those on the lowest level from flattening out.
- If you have to hang them on a coat rack, don't put them on top of each other. Even in this way, those who happen below could stiffen.
Part 2 of 2: Using Less Common Solutions
Step 1. Try using a ball in the dryer
To soften towels that are already a little stiff, place a ball or two (safe in contact with heat) inside the machine. The repetitive movement of the sphere together with the towels gradually works on the stiffness of the fibers, leaving the fabrics softer. On the market you can also find balls designed specifically for dryers at affordable prices (on the Internet or in the shop). They usually cost around € 13-16 per pack.
If you want to save money, try putting a few tennis balls in the dryer with the towels. They generally work just as well
Step 2. Try adding vinegar to the wash cycle
Regular white vinegar can help make your towels softer. If you want to use it, pour about 120ml on the first rinse cycle (increase the dose if the load is greater, decrease it for the smaller loads). It will eliminate the buildup of chemicals and soap from the fibers. You will notice that the towels will be softer after a few wash cycles.
Use only white vinegar. Other qualities, such as that of apples and especially balsamic vinegar, can stain the linen
Step 3. Add the baking soda
Another great additive for making your towels soft and fluffy is baking soda. Like vinegar, it will remove dirt and chemical buildup from the fibers. It will also help neutralize odors from older bathroom linens. However, be aware that it can fade brightly colored fabrics.
Many online sources recommend not using baking soda alongside vinegar. Mixed, they react by neutralizing each other (as in the famous project of the "papier mache volcano")
Step 4. Try borax or water softening tablets
Hard water contains a high amount of dissolved minerals. When you use it to wash your laundry, minerals can build up and stiffen the fibers. However, some products that "soften the water" can reverse this effect. For example, borax (or sodium borate) is a safe and affordable laundry additive that can reduce the mineral content in hard water and leave towels softer.
You can buy it cheaply on the Internet or find it in the detergent aisle of any hypermarket. It usually costs around € 10 per pack
Step 5. Manually remove hard water from towels before drying them
Don't have borax on hand? Try to wipe the hard water off the towels with your hands. Gently squeeze them into the sink or go outside and whisk them to remove excess water. When you put them in the dryer, the less hard water they get, the less mineral build-up will be.
Step 6. Rely less on liquid fabric softeners and dryer wipes
While these products may seem like the best solution, many sources advise against to use them for towels. Sure they give extreme softness in the short term, but over time the chemicals contained within (just like many detergents) can build up in the dense, compact fibers of most towels, leaving them gradually stiffer and coarser. This problem gets worse when you load the washing machine too much and use too much product.
Advice
- Please note that all the tips offered in this article are most effective with high quality towels. The cheaper ones can stiffen over time no matter how you treat them.
- Among the fabrics for bathroom linen, Egyptian cotton and bamboo are the softest and fluffiest.
