How Dos I Get Soft And Fluffy Towels With Washing?

[FlickStar]

This is a problem that infuriates me ... I have tried all sorts of washing powder, softeners and tumble drying but I still end up with crispy towels!

As we see using reuseable nappies on newborn, I really don't want him bum to be exfoliated every time he wears a nappy!

I have checked online and apparently we have soft water in wrexham .. We are line drying at the moment, but even if we dry in rads, clothes maid or tumble dryer -- it's all the same

(Washing machine is less than 2 years old)

Thanks in advance

[Tilly2]

My towels always go soft and fluffy when I put them in the dryer on a 'warm air' setting for twenty minutes. and my jeans, no need to iron them

[hc4361]

You should never use fabric conditioner on towels.

[FlickStar]

I have tried without softener too - but still have crispy laundry.

Tilly - don't have medium setting in dryer - only low or high :(

[Tilly2]

Try low, once they have dried on the line outside.

[pixie373]

You aren't supposed to use fabric conditioner on towels- but i always do. They aren't nice without it. I just use washing pouches (not powder), fabric conditioner and tumble dry them. I'm not sure why it isn't working for you.

[ladybirder]

My towels are like cardboard Flick and I put it down to being in a hard water area. At least I don't have to buy any exfoliating stuff.

[Ratty2E]

I don't know what's happening to yours but I always get soft fluffy towels when they're tumbled but they do end up quite rough if line dried. I have hard water and use bold 2 in 1 normally.

[Eve]

I find the quality of the towels can make a difference.

[grasscarp]

I read that if you put towel in washing machine with just a Calgon tablet and no powder/liquid etc and wash they come out clean and soft.

[pixie373]

I'm in a hard water area too, so i don't think it's that.

[EDDIE51]

^^ Yes NEVER use fabric conditioner on towels , tea towels or nappies.
Fabric conditioner is an organic liquid similar to an oil, it makes fabric feel soft because there is a tiny amount of the 'oil' left on the clothes after washing, this is what makes them feel 'soft' and leaves the smell. The problem is the 'oil' also makes the towels/ nappies/ tea towels water proof so they are useless. If you read the 'small print' on a container of fabric conditioner it tells you not to use it on baby clothes as it increases the fire risk by making them more flammable.
Wash the towels ( without fabric conditioner) and then tumble dry. It is fine to dry them on the line and then tumble for just a few minutes. You can get tumble dryer ' softening balls' that you place in the dryer with the clothes and the balls ' rub up ' the fibres of the towels and make them feel soft and fluffy. You also need to only put enough stuff in the dryer at one time to allow it to 'tumble' freely or it will not dry soft and fluffy.

[gingejbee]

I can't be the only one who dislikes "soft and fluffy" towels....I prefer them a bit rough, they dry better!

[ummmm]

I'm the same Ginge....

[EDDIE51]

^^ me too.
Here are some dryer balls, I think you need at least 2 of them
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/laundry-dishwashers/laundry-dishwasher-accessories/wpro-wba100-tumble-dryer-softening-ball-17316309-pdt.html?gclid=CLmQ-orP3r8CFW3JtAod_z8ANw&srcid=198&cmpid=ppc~gg~~~Exact&mctag=gg_goog_7904&s_kwcid=AL!3391!3!53188518684!!!g!64556563524!&;ef_id=U9FPqQAAAZPS1RAz:20140724185122:s

[shoota]

I'm with ginge, like a bit of rough too.

[Robinia]

.....and me ginge

[pixie373]

So do i- but not on my towels!

[ummmm]

Lol....

[ladybirder]

Not the hard water you are saying. Don't know what it is then. I don't have a dryer of any sort. I just let them dry on a clothes horse or outside in the garden on the washing line. My towels are good quality, I don't buy rubbish anything. And I never use softeners; I don't see the point of washing your stuff clean and then putting gunk all over it.

[jno]

soft and fluffy for me; if I want sandpaper I'll buy some.