hard towels

[woodchopper]

On the subject of washing - Our towels(towelling) always when they are dried, turn out stiff as a board and very course on the skin despite using the maximum quantity of softener that will fit in the washing machine - any ideas why ?

Even new towels after half a dozen washes end up this way.

[Ethel]

Conditioner should not be used on towels - it does them no good at all.

Drying in a tumble drier should help.

[nickmo]

Gonnae no use conditioner pal - mucks up the fibres big style.

Have a go with the eco balls for dryers. they have little raised studs all over the surface that act like little fingers and give a softened result without using chemicals. Buy here: http://www.ecozone.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=569

[shaneystar2]

Fabric conditioner will coat the fibres and the towels loose their absorbency. I never use fabric softener on towels ..just 60C wash and then out on the line to dry ..finish them off in the tumble drier if necessary.

[purpose]

I always use fabric conditioner on my towels because i have sensitive skin and can't stand hard towels.

Drying in a tumble dryer (after softener) makes them lovely and soft.

[heathfield]

Debenhams at one time had a sign displayed in their stores advising against the use of fabric softeners with towels. It makes the fibres slippery, which leads to excess fibre loss in the final rinse and when tumble drying. And as already stated, the softener coating reduces the absorency of the towels. Nickmo's answer offers the best advice. In fact, a (clean!) plimsoll or trainer shoe in the tumble dryer together with the towels will give the same results.

[tinkertontom]

I have always used conditioner on my towels and they have been fine except for cheap ones

[smudge]

I can always notice the difference if I 'forget' to put the softener in my washing machine, as the towels always end up slightly scratchy or stiff.

When this happens, I put them back in the washing machine for a rinse along with conditioner & hey presto, the towels are restored to their nice soft & fresh smelling original condition!

Also, when I hang towels outside on the line, I always put them in the tumble dryer afterwards, on cool for a few minutes, this helps to fluff & soften them up too.

[purpose]

That's what i do smudge... a few minutes in the dryer after being outside, and they come up like big, fluffy new ones again... and smell fantastic.

[smurfchops]

Every time this question comes up, nickmo always recommends wash balls .... surely he works for the company ...?? Must say I still haven't tried them. But what do we do with the towels that have now been smothered in fabric conditioner and gone hard? Throw them away or use them on the dog??

[tinkertontom]

perhaps you are using to much washing powder woodchopper that makes a difference to your wash

[andiamo]

Thanks for the solutions but what if you don't have a tumble drier?

[shaneystar2]

Thing is ....how did our mothers manage years ago with no fabric softener or washing machines. I remember towels always being soft and fresh as a child.Perhaps living by the sea I am lucky in that the sea air and east wind makes towels and any washing smell clean fresh and soft.
Hard water can be a factor..if so.. a cup of old fashioned washing soda chucked into the machine can help to soften towels.I have a drier but only use it if the weather is bad ..otherwise you can't beat drying washing outdoors and hardly ever use fabric softener...it makes me itch !!