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Original poster

HELP - crunchy towels!! What fabric conditioner do you use in hard water, like London, without a tumble dryer??

34 replies

loveyouradvice · 06/01/2021 11:41

Years ago we decided not to have a tumble drier as one of our "environmentally - friendly" things to do.... I am rather regretting this!

So.... soft towels and clothes... surely we can get these with a good fabric conditioner and air drying?

Comfort and the ecover ones don't work for us... what works for you?

OP posts:
plumpootle · 06/01/2021 12:28

I use fairy fabric conditioner. Live in central London. Seems to work well, does not stop the towels from drying us

biddybird · 06/01/2021 12:25

Iron them with a steam iron.
(Just for context, I have a water softener and don't use fabric conditioner or a tumble drier.)

terrywynne · 06/01/2021 11:54

Lakeland do a fabric conditioner for towels (because yes normally it stops water absorbing). Have to say towels are still a bit crunchy though so not sure if it is worth it. May have to try shaking more!

SpaceOp · 06/01/2021 11:53

Pressed Post too soon.

My issue is the kids' school uniforms. I can't tumble dry their jumpers because the logos go all funny. But the jumpers are HARD as rocks after just a few washes. I hate it.

SpaceOp · 06/01/2021 11:51

@TigerDrawers

I live in a v hard water area too and don't have a tumble drier. I use water softener tablets in the machine on every wash (stops limescale marks on darker clothing too) then as *@SchrodingersImmigrant* has said I shake them when they come out of the machine (you can see the difference in the pile after a good shake). I then either dry them in the airing cupboard or on a radiator.

I use washing capsules, but no separate fabric conditioner for towel washes. They're not perfectly soft and fluffy but they're not crispy either.

You may find you have a build up of previous washing products on them too, so maybe run them through the machine on a long wash without any additional products to really get them clear of it.

I didn't know you could get single use water softener tablets? Dh and I have endlessly debated getting one of those machines that you put on the incoming water supply because our water is so hard.
TigerDrawers · 06/01/2021 11:49

I live in a v hard water area too and don't have a tumble drier. I use water softener tablets in the machine on every wash (stops limescale marks on darker clothing too) then as @SchrodingersImmigrant has said I shake them when they come out of the machine (you can see the difference in the pile after a good shake). I then either dry them in the airing cupboard or on a radiator.

I use washing capsules, but no separate fabric conditioner for towel washes. They're not perfectly soft and fluffy but they're not crispy either.

You may find you have a build up of previous washing products on them too, so maybe run them through the machine on a long wash without any additional products to really get them clear of it.

rbe78 · 06/01/2021 11:47

In my experience, you just can't get properly fluffy towels without a tumble drier. That and bedsheets is the only thing I use the drier for.

As above, don't use fabric conditioner on towels!

QuentinWinters · 06/01/2021 11:45

Fabric conditioner stops them drying you properly after a shower.
I use the dettol laundry cleanser.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 06/01/2021 11:43

I add vinegar and put it on 60 at least an hour wash.
When you get them out after, SHAKE them. Grab one side, shake, switch sides, shake. Properly. Get that air in. All 4 sides.