What really affects absorbency of Bath Towels?

Question

I have a hodgepodge of bath towels, and I wash and dry all of them the same. I use fabric softener and dryer sheets. Some of the towels are better at drying me off than others. I've read the other postings that say improving absorbency requires ditching the fabric softeners, but that's incomplete. Some of my towels are soft but still work well. Does anyone know if there is a specific cotton processing or thread count or something else that is play? Please don't respond with "brand 'X' works for me." I'd really like to know what specifically is going on with the bath towel and then purchase accordingly.

Answer 1

when buying your towels feel them  the soft thick ones they will be more expensive  but keep their softness and absorbency ............if you buy cheap towels you will notice the thickness declines and so does every thing else ..........................I find if I dry towels outside they are rougher too but that eases off with one use .............. but drying in the dryer add to electric bill ..........so it's all a matter of choice ..................it's often an idea to buy good quality towels in the sales at the better stores ...........

        but it's all down to you and what you want  and how often you want to be buying new .........................

Answer 2

the number of "loops" in the terry and the quality of cotton make the biggest differences.  The more loops the towel has, the more absorbent it is because the loops increase the surface area of the towel.

Fabric softeners make your towels soft and fragrant, but they decrease the absorbency.  I would recommend that you wash with a detergent you like, add 1 full cup of white vinegar to the rinse (it kills bacteria, softens fabric, and helps detergent fully rinse out).

Answer 3

You should never use fabric softener on towels.  Fabric softener is made of oils so it prevents them being absorbent.  Putting vinegar in the last rinse (about a teacup full) helps to soften.  They will be soft enough if dried in a dryer and if you line dry them put them in the dryer for the last ten minutes of the setting which is usually cold to soften them.

Answer 4

The density of the cotton, the thread count and all have factors in this question..thicker cotton(more thread count) will dry slower..thinner thread count will dry quicker..however the pros and cons are.. when you bathe/wash..would you prefer to use 2 towels or 1/ The washing outweighs the dryer time for the higher thread count(and better quality) of absorbancy verses using one longer..would you prefer using one towel or two?/ double the load

Answer 5

The thinner the thread count the faster it wears out. However, the real culprit is the softeners and you are using two! Try this, I promose it works. Wash them as usual, but instead of liquid softener use white vinegar. I promise there is no vinegar odor. Your towels will come out super soft and much more absorbant. As you keep doing this more of the residue will keep coming out and they will continue to get thirstier. I don't buy expensive towels, I hate very thick ones they take too long to dry out and they are to heavy. I love nubby old terry towels. This is how I wash them, and I can't remember how long ago I have purchased new towels. Vinegar keeps the whiter ones whiter too! Just give it a try and you'll see.~~