Making towels soft without a tumble dryer

[Charingcrossbun]

I am what my mother would refer to as a domestic slut! Not as exciting as it sounds! But it does mean I've been happy with scratchy towels machine washed in non-bio then line/aired dried. My new baby however would like something softer... Any top tips (we don't have a tumble dryer).

[PigletJohn]

cotton will stand up to an extra-hot wash, with washing soda crystals. It will remove remnants of soap very effectively, and leave them soft. Give it a try and see what you think. The line-drying will do a lot of good.

[Charingcrossbun]

Cool, where would I find washing soda crystals?

[PigletJohn]

in the same aisle as the washing powders and household cleaners.

Usually in a green or blue plastic bag.

[PigletJohn]

like this

[Charingcrossbun]

Great so do I use them instead of washing powder?

[PigletJohn]

the first time, yes, because there is probably a load of soap scum and scale resident in the towels. You will find that the water foams up even without powder. Once the water stays clear and does not foam, you know it is gone. The crystals will wash away grease, e.g. from skin cream or chip fat.

Once you have washed away the resident soap from your towels and the washer, you can use powder again, but add the crystals.