At first, everything seems perfect: your new towels are fluffy, soft, and pleasant to use. However, over time, the charm fades. The fibers become rough, and stepping out of the shower turns into an unpleasant ordeal.
Yet, this isn’t inevitable: with a few tips and good habits, you can breathe new life into your towels and prevent this annoyance. Here’s everything you need to know to put an end to scratchy towels.
Why do your towels get rough?
Several factors contribute to the loss of softness in towels. Residues from laundry detergent, often not rinsed properly, embed themselves in the fibers, giving them that rigid and unpleasant feel.
Using too much detergent only worsens the situation, as it makes rinsing more difficult, leaving deposits that enhance the “cardboard” effect.
Hard water is another frequent culprit. Over time, it accumulates on the fabric, stiffening the fibers and reducing their flexibility. Another common mistake is opting for high-temperature washing cycles.
While effective in eliminating bacteria, hot water weakens the fibers and causes them to lose their fluffiness over time.
Softening your towels: Simple and effective solutions
No need to replace your rough towels! Simple actions can restore their original softness. Here are the best tips for quick results.
Baking soda: A multifunctional ally
If you use natural products, baking soda is likely already in your kitchen. This versatile product is ideal for softening towel fibers and eliminating lime deposits.
Simply add two tablespoons of baking soda to your washing machine drum. Besides making your towels softer, it acts as a deodorizer and also cleans your machine.
White vinegar: The natural anticalcifier par excellence
To replace traditional fabric softener, opt for white vinegar. Pour half a cup into the designated compartment.
This product dissolves detergent residues while softening the fibers. If you’re worried about the lingering smell, don’t be: it disappears during rinsing.
Don’t have white vinegar on hand? Lemon juice can easily serve as a substitute.
Drying balls for soft laundry
Drying balls, often made of wool or plastic, are little magic accessories. Place a few in your dryer to reduce drying time and relax the fibers.
This simple action revives your towels, making them fluffy and pleasant to use again.
Soaking in aloe vera
To restore a particularly rough towel, soak it for a few hours in a mix of warm water and aloe vera.
This plant, known for its hydrating properties, also acts on the textile fibers by softening them. After soaking, simply wash your laundry as usual.
Preserving the softness of towels over time
Fixing damaged towels is good. But keeping them soft for as long as possible is even better. Here are the habits to adopt to prolong the life of your bath linens.
- Prepare your new towels: Before their first use, wash your towels in cold water without detergent. This eliminates any factory-applied treatments and improves their absorbency while preserving their softness.
- Avoid overloading the machine: For effective washing, don’t cram your drum full. The fibers of the towels need space to soften during the cycle. Overloading prevents optimal rinsing, leaving detergent residues that make the fabric rougher.
- Properly dose the detergent: A common mistake is using too much product. For towels, a smaller amount is sufficient. If your machine has a “extra rinse” option, enable it to eliminate the maximum amount of residues.
- Opt for moderate temperatures: Washing at 40 °C is ideal for effective cleaning without damaging the fibers. Excessively high temperatures weaken the fabric, and ironing should also be avoided to maintain the softness of the towels.
- Prefer the dryer: The dryer is a valuable ally for reviving towels. If you prefer air drying, remember to shake your towels immediately after removing them from the machine to relax the fibers.
Choosing quality towels: The softness asset
Even with the best tips, the quality of the linen plays a key role. Towels made from high-quality materials, such as combed cotton or bamboo, offer lasting softness. Investing in good-quality bath linens is often more economical in the long run, as they maintain their appearance and comfort better.
With these tips, your towels will regain their original fluffiness, and you can say goodbye to scratchy textiles. A soft and well-maintained towel is the little luxury that makes your moments after the shower even more enjoyable!
