Towels that come out of the dryer feeling stiff and crunchy can be restored to hotel-soft condition with a simple household item costing around 30p. The secret is to swap fabric softener for white vinegar in the rinse cycle.
Experts at Currys have shared their essential tips to rescue laundry and restore towels to their original glory. According to the retailer, the biggest enemy of a fluffy towel is actually fabric softener.
Why Fabric Softener Causes Crunchy Towels
A Currys spokesman said: “Over time, softeners build up a waxy silicone residue that coats the cotton fibres. This is exactly what makes towels go stiff, giving them that 'crunchy' feeling once dry. This coating also traps moisture and bacteria within the loops. Ironically, this coating actually repels water, making your towels much less absorbent.”
The fix is simple: swap fabric softener for half a cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle every few washes. This strips away the silicone buildup and restores the fluff.
Washing and Drying Tips
When it comes to towels, less is more. Using too much detergent or fabric softener means the machine struggles to rinse it all away. Liquid biological detergent can be helpful here.
Liquid dissolves more effectively in dense cotton loops than powder does, while the enzymes in bio formulas break down the skin cells and oils that towels naturally collect. Make sure you don't overcrowd the washing machine either, giving plenty of room for a few towels. Packing them in can prevent detergents and conditioners from rinsing properly.
How you dry your towels is just as important as how you wash them. If using a dryer, don't use a high heat setting. Excessive heat 'cooks' the fibres, breaking them down over time. Use a medium heat and toss in a couple of wool dryer balls to keep the air circulating and the fibres plumped.
If you prefer the washing line, give each towel a vigorous 'snap' or shake before hanging it up. This helps open up the fibres that have been flattened during the spin cycle. Put them on a clothes horse next to a heater or hang them outside on a windy day.
