How do I get towels "fluffy"? They come out hard and knotted. I've tried vinegar. Any solutions?

Question

I wash them at 40 degs. and shake them before drying. What am I doing wrong? Help!

Answer 1

Shake them off before you put them in the dryer and use a dryer sheet. That should do the trick.  Or maybe don;t put so many towels in at once. Good luck

Answer 2

maybe the fabris softner comfort would help

Answer 3

Tumble dry them for a few minutes even if you've dried them on the line.

Answer 4

Even though I use softner, they still dry up hard. On my old washer, I used to use the extra rinse setting, but dont have it on my new one The only way to get them soft is to tumble dry them.

Answer 5

Don't know if my answer will be particularly helpful - will depend on where you live and whether you can hang your towels outside on a washing line to blow in the breeze....guaranteed fluffiness if you do so I promise.

Answer 6

You may be using too much detergent. Next time you wash put a spoonful of Soda Crystals in with the washing powder as this will help make the clothes soft and clean smelling.

You could also try fabric conditioner but I believe too much of that is not good for towels.  

Answer 7

You can use liquid fabric softener, but it makes the towels less absorbent.  I wash mine in hot water with liquid detergent and usually bleach, then dry them in a hot dryer with a fabric softener sheet.  This gets less of the softener on the fabric, still gives them the fresh smell.  

It could also be that your water is hard.  If that's the case, try using some Calgon when you wash them.  Or it could be the fabric of the towels.  The amount of cotton to polyester and the threads per square inch make a difference in the way fabric feels.  If you're interested, that's called "the hand".  It refers to the way fabric feels when you touch it.

Answer 8

spritz them with water and then iron them with plenty of steam.  should make them fluffier.

Answer 9

You need some fabric conditioner added to the wash process.

You'll get them on the same aisle as the washing detergents or close by, in most supermarkets. They come in different smells and add freshness to the wash too. Now you even get some that avoid clothes creasing in wash, reducing ironing needs!

Answer 10

I always use fabric softener and tumble dry them. They are always soft. This will also get hard towels sorted. Despite other answers saying otherwise, I find hanging them outside is awful for making them hard as boards and rough. Drying them on a clothes horse is just as bad. That is my experience, though.

Answer 11

Two contributing factors are:

a. Soft water. Hard water (especially if not thoroughly spun) deposits insoluble salts in the fabric of the towels.

b. Hearsay, not proven: Drying in the wind moves the towels around while they dry, preventing the fabric from becoming rigid.

Answer 12

You need to use fabric softener and then tumble dry using bounce :)

Answer 13

Towels lose their fluffiness (and effectiveness) when the loops are damaged.

Fabric softener may make them soft to the touch, but It actually reduces the towel's absorbency.  Chlorine bleach also eats at the material and would make them less plush.

Dry them on the gentle cycle (or a medium heat) and take them out when they're just barely damp.  Also, better not to iron a towel made of terry since that presses the loops down.

If they've been repeatedly washed with products that hurt the cotton loops, or the material in general, it might be time to start fresh.  :( The best bet is to get egyptian or a good pima cotton to ensure the highest-quality loop, and will get softer if properly cared for.

I've also heard that manufacturers sometimes add a "softener" to towels in the store so they feel soft on the shelf, which comes off after a couple washings.