A small amount of water bound to the surface of the towel acts like glue to hold the cotton fibers together. (Inside Science) -- The stiff, crunchy feel of an air-dried cotton towel is caused by a small amount of residual water “gluing” the fibers together, new research shows.
The biggest drawback to drying towels and clothes on the line is the cardboard-like stiffness that results from being air-dried. This happens specifically on cotton towels and clothing, as the residual water molecules adhere to the surface of natural fibers, causing them to stick together.
Cotton naturally retains water, and it is this 'residual water' that binds the cotton fibres together. Hence towels often feel stiff after they have been washed.
Dry clothes can become stiff for many reasons. These include the fabric not being properly rinsed during your laundry load and using too much detergent which can leave behind residue on your clothing, making the fabric stiff.
Even if you use a fabric softener, you'll often notice that line dried clothes are a bit stiffer. You can help prevent or fix that by either adding some vinegar to your load {I add about 1/2 a cup} or tossing the clothes in the dryer for a minute or two. Much less than a full cycle so you're still saving money!
Replace fabric softeners with vinegar.
Instead, soften your towels by using one cup of white vinegar about every six weeks; this will remove the soapy residue that makes towels feel rough, bringing back softness while restoring them to full absorbency.
The main culprit for towels losing their magical softness is residue from detergents and body oils that build up within the fabric. This buildup of leftover products will cause stiffness and a rough, crackly feeling. These remnants from products also diminish your towel's ability to absorb moisture.
Adding a small amount of vinegar every few washes can help prevent towels from getting stiff, but this method also works for one-time rescues. Combining white vinegar with baking soda also will provide extra cleaning strength. Don't worry, this won't make your towels smell like vinegar if done correctly.
Drying your towels in the tumble dryer alone won't achieve the best results and can ruin the fibres. But it's even worse to dry them on the radiator, as this leaves them stiff and scratchy and can make your heating system less effective. Air-drying your towels outside on a mild, dry day is the best method.
If you're wondering why your dish towels are not absorbent, it's usually due to a buildup of detergent or fabric softener. Brand new towels have a coating applied by the manufacturer that can reduce how well they absorb. For towels you've had a while, the laundry products you're using can have the same effect.
“The first time with one cup of white vinegar diluted with hot water in the drawer. “The second time, use one cup of baking soda diluted with hot water. “You will be left with fresh soft towels.” Bicarbonate of soda also works to remove any nasty smells from towels.
That's because the clothes are generally tumbling through just a little water rather than floating through lots of it, like they would in an older-style top loader. To get the fibres nicely fluffed up, your towels must be immersed in water."
Start a hot-water rinse cycle and let it fill up completely. The hot water helps break down chemicals and contaminants on the towels. Add about a cup of white vinegar to the mix, which will further help break down any chemicals that have made your towels less absorbent.
Wash towels with white vinegar occasionally for a deep clean that isn't quite as labor-intensive as stripping laundry. Vinegar is one of the ways to soften towels that have begun to feel stiff, and it removes odors and bacteria.
Once the washer is filled, before the wash cycle starts, drop in a cup of vinegar. Let it dilute for a moment, then add a half of a cup of baking soda. Run the washer, and dry as normal. Your towels will be recharged and like new, or better than ever!
Adding vinegar to the rinse cycle should help with this, but if super soft, fluffy towels are what you're after, a clothes dryer is your best option. After taking the towels out of the washing machine, give them a shake to open up their fibres.
All you need to do is add about a quarter to a half cup of vinegar into the fabric softener compartment in your washing machine's drawer during the rinse cycle. The vinegar will sort the rest out for you.
Use Vinegar in Laundry to Brighten Clothes
The acidic nature of white vinegar can be used as a fabulous clothes whitener and brightener of dingy white and colored clothes, and it provides a great way to whiten socks. Add a half cup of vinegar to your wash during the rinse cycle to brighten clothes.
Dilute fabric softener: Dilute a small amount of fabric softener in a cup or glass of water. Second rinse: Drop your clothes into clean water, and then move them to one side so you can add the fabric softener. Then stir your clothes in the water for a few minutes to help the fabric softener do its magic.
Washing Machine
Vinegar is sometimes used as a fabric softener or for getting rid of stains and odors in laundry. But as with dishwashers, it can damage the rubber seals and hoses in some washing machines to the point of causing leaks.
Bath Towels Need to Be Broken-In
But you may not have known that your new bath towel has a "break in" period before it reaches maximum softness and absorbency. In fact, it can take as many as three full wash cyclesfor your bath towel to feel great and absorb water the way it was designed to.