I went to a linen party on the weekend, and was told by the lady who was doing it, never to use fabric softener on towels or cloth nappies,,she suggested using 1 cup of white vinegar on them in the rinse instead,,she swore it makes them ultra absorbent, and will make them soft as well. havent tried it yet, but i also only use softly which is a woolen/delicates washing liquid on my towels and nappies,,,,never a softener, and they are never hard or scratchy. HTH.