To keep towels soft and fluffy, use less detergent, swap liquid fabric softener for white vinegar or baking soda, avoid overloading the washer, and shake towels vigorously before and after drying to fluff fibers. Tumble drying on low or partially drying then line drying also helps maintain fluffiness.
Drying Techniques: Hotels may use specialized drying techniques to ensure towels remain fluffy and soft. Tumble drying on low heat or using a lower heat setting prevents overheating and excessive shrinkage. Some hotels also use dryer balls or tennis balls to fluff up towels during the drying process.
How to keep towels soft and fluffy: 8 tips from Christy's towel experts
Shake and fluff before hanging: give each towel a strong shake to separate fibers and reduce stiffness as it dries. Hang by edges and space them: spread towels flat or over a line with clips so air circulates. Overlapping keeps them damp longer and increases stiffness.
An overload of harsh detergent that strips you of your natural softness and sticks around long after the wash; Fabric softener that weighs you down with silicon; A cold rinse that's skimpy on water; and. A rough tumble in a dryer that's way too hot.
Vinegar and baking soda work well for washing towels. Use vinegar alone for one cycle to remove buildup. Wash towels again with a cup of baking soda in a hot water cycle to remove odors and to act as a natural fabric softener. Or, do one cycle of hot water with a cup of both vinegar and baking soda.
A good temperature for washing towels and sheets is 40 degrees, but a 60 degreewash will be better at killing germs. Changing your sheets and towels once a week can help to keep them fresh and clean**. Use ourlaundry tips section for guidelines on different fabrics.
Make your towel soft again:
Add some white vinegar to the fabric softening compartment in your washing machine. Don't use detergent for this load!
Being made out of 100% pure British wool, laundry dryer balls gently absorb excess moisture as they take a tumble with your clothes, bed linen and towels. The result is naturally softer, fluffier laundry with less creases.
We recommend Heritage Park All-Purpose Laundry Detergent for washing towels.
If your towels are very stiff and scratchy, try adding around 250ml of vinegar to a wash along with your laundry liquid.
Start the washing cycle as usual, using the appropriate settings for your towels' fabric type. With a sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda and a splash of white vinegar, your towels will emerge from the laundry smelling like a breath of fresh air and will be soft and fluffy 🌸
Vinegar Soak: Place your towels in the washing machine and add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. The vinegar will break down mineral buildup and soap residue that can contribute to fabric stiffness.
The verdict: As a general rule, you should launder your bath towel (or swap in a clean one) at least once a week. The same goes for hand towels. And your washcloth? That needs replacing more often — at least a couple times a week.
And unlike wool, they're suitable for those with allergies. However, plastic dryer balls have their downsides, too. They can be noisier in the dryer than wool balls, which can be a nuisance for some users. Additionally, they're not as effective at reducing static or softening clothes.
The "bathroom towel trick" usually refers to a popular, space-saving, and decorative towel rolling method that makes towels look like spa rolls, creating tight cylinders that store neatly and look elegant in bathrooms, often by folding in triangles and tucking the end into a pocket. Another less common "trick" involves using a towel for jawline exercise, where you bite down on a folded towel to strengthen jaw muscles, or a cooling method with a wet towel near a fan.
Wash towels at 40°C for regular cleaning to protect fibers and save energy, but use 60°C occasionally (or for sick household members) to kill germs and bacteria effectively, as this higher heat is best for hygiene, notes sources like BBC, Sheridan, DZEE Home, and Dependable Laundry Solutions. For maximum freshness, use a good detergent and avoid fabric softener, which reduces absorbency, say Sheridan, DZEE Home, and Canningvale.
Causes of Stiff Towels
Hard Water: Minerals like calcium and magnesium in hard water build up on towel fibers, making them rough and scratchy. Overuse of Detergent/Conditioner: Excess detergent and fabric conditioners can leave residues that harden the fabric.
Towels should be washed in the warmest water appropriate for the fabric according to the care label. Generally, warm or hot water is recommended for washing towels. Use a cycle specifically for towels or a normal/regular cycle.
#2 – Set the Right Temperature for Washing Towels:
Moreover, setting the washing machine temperature to 40 degrees also ensures the elimination of bacteria and other germs that often breed in towels as towels accumulate sweat and body fluids due to constant use in hotel rooms.
Laundry should come out of the washing machine drum cold at the end of each cycle as it is rinsed in cold water.