secret to fluffy towels

Ever since I've started using a front loader, my towels come out like boards! they wash really clean (each cycle runs around 2hrs), but the towels are so scratchy! Any suggestions? I have tried reducing the spin speed, fabric softener.

my MIL complains about the same thing so posting for some ideas too

I dry them on the line, but finish them in the dryer. Front loaders can be hardass on stuff - but great with saving water!

Oh My mum is the same..."how can you dry that baby wiht that hard towel"

So in the dryer works lulu? So do you put them in still wet?

I love crunchy towels....I think I'm weird.

The dryer does soften them a bit but maybe you need some fabric softener or vinegar for the final rinse.

yeah the drier will soften them.. just when they are almost dry, put them in. If u put them in when they are too wet.. it wastes power and money.

Don't worry tinks.. i cant stand soft towels!

Tinks i love them crunchy too feels good on my skin :) But my always has a go at me about drying the boys wiht crunchy towels :rolleyes:

I try not to use the dryer when we have all that sun :)

Thanks! will give the dryer a go. Trying not to waste too much energy though :rolleyes:

I line dry them then throw them in the dryer for about 10 minutes.

Before I had a dryer I found that just giving them a really good shake ebfore I hung them out (sort of like shaking beach sand off a beach towel) helped with the softness too.

When you line dry them fold them over the line in the middle, don't hang off the edges. Takes a bit longer to dry, but helps keep them a bit softer.

Use white vinegar instead of fabric softener. Fabric softener ruins the washing machine and reduces the absorbancy of the towels. Either dry in the clothes dryer, or line dry until just damp, then finish off in the dryer.

I use vinegar. I like soft towels. MIL loves hanging her towels in the rain to make then extra stiff, lol.

I have the same problem.... all DDs stuff is so cardboard-like

I don't use fabric softner but am interested in the vinegar... so how do I use the vinegar in the wash? Do I just put it in where the fabric softner would go and can I put it in at the beginning or do I have to go out and add it in?

From what I understand, things go crunchy when they dry really quickly. So because a front loader spins so quickly, your clothes are quite dry when they come out. Along with Astrid's 'dry folded in half' option, you could see if your washing machine has an option to lower the spinning speed? That will mean you clothes are a bit wetter when they come out (maybe equivalent to a top loader) and therefore will dry softer.

In this weather you could do an experiment - wash two towels, then dry one in the hot sun and another on a clothes horse or in the shade and see if there's a difference?

That's so true about fabric softener reducing absorbancy of towels. I stay right away from the stuff... hate how it gunks up the machine.

maybe try some bi-carb soda.

I give my towels a good shake before line hanging. I'm stingy and don't use the tumble drier unless i have to.

i also quite like a stiff towel.... dries much better and is a great exfoliator... makes your skin feel great! Softness can be over-rated LOL

I love a crunchy towel for myself but for DD I feel bad LOL... for me I use it as an exfoliator :redface: but DD is so soft... as I said I feel bad.

nah... don't feel bad... kids don't notice, believe me. Do an experiment... offer two towels, one soft and one not... my kids don't care... they would pick up the bath MAT for all they care LOL