Thanks ladies

They're brand new - I too am scared about them losing their fluffiness! But I'll remember that about the metal brush for the future! I was also worried about drying them because everything seems to dry out at the moment no matter where you leave it - my towels are all like cardboard even though I used extra fabric softener and dried them on the indoor line! Its nuts!

I might see how we go, obviously if someone gets itchy or something from them I'll wash it straight away, but I'm not thinking its going to be much of a problem.

Thanks again for the advice everyone