It’s Friday night and I want to ask you about towels!

[SheWoreYellow]

Mine are crispy and I hate them.

I have tried boiling them, sodium bicarbonate, vinegar, soda crystals.

If anything they are worse.

I know lots of people like crispy towels. I don’t. Is there any way I can get mine soft again? They are about 15 years old, so if not I might treat myself to some new ones.

With new ones, how can I prevent them going crispy? Not use fabric conditioner? I don’t have a tumble dryer in case that’s relevant.

Get some from John Lewis

Thanks. Our crispy ones are Christie (sale) so not cheap ones.

not having a tumble dryer is the main issue.
line drying outside, flapping in the breeze can help somewhat.
using less detergent and white vinegar in the softener compartment can help as well.
but they will never be as fluffy as tumble dried.

I've heard of people ironing towels for softness but I have not tried it. iron is for hama beads only

Totally with you on the ironing.

I don’t remember my parents having crispy towels so maybe I’m just using too much detergent.

The only reason why my towels always go on the dryer whatever the weather. I hate crispy towels that scratch.

@H1978

The only reason why my towels always go on the dryer whatever the weather. I hate crispy towels that scratch.

I don’t have a dryer though. Am I doomed ?

Have you got a launderette near you?

I’m not that desperate

Towel troll?

Only joking OP, I'm sure you're legit. I enjoy a crispy towel, myself.

I sometimes do 2 bog loads of laundry, towels sheets etc, and go to the laundrette, Chuck in £ 1.50 and get industrially dried fluffy towels in 10 minutes

It’s one of my (sad) (pathetic) guilty pleasures

Try it

Calgon in the wash if you're in a hard water area

And def no conditioner

I'm going to Wade in and say that towels, these days, seem far too fluffy from the start.

Over thirty years with my husband, we've accumulated quite a few towels.

We recently had to empty our airing cupboard due to a plumbing issue.

So many towels!

Interestingly, the old 'St Michael ' towels are the best. The Christy towels have been relegated to a rag pile in the garage.
The more recent Dunelm towels are far too thick and fluffy and just seem to spread the wetness around as opposed to drying.

I'm really annoyed at all of these decorative 'bands' at one or either end... they reduce the drying capabilities of the towel as they're too stiff.

Just long for a plain old towel with no decorative strips or bands.

I read your post as 'I've tried boiling them & frying them!'
And I'm thinking no wonder Yellow's got crispy towels if she's frying them! 🤣

Haven't got any tips apart from those already mentioned.

I think a tumble drier definitely helps with softness.

But at least you get free exfoliation every time you dry!

As an aside what causes towels to stain? I bought new brownish towels and they’ve all got massive orange stains on, and they’re still fairly new! It’s really frustrating!

@Lollolloll do you use any medicated creams at all?

I have a topical cream for spots and it can bleach the towels, even after I have washed my hands. Usually stick to white towels.

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

Towel troll?

Only joking OP, I'm sure you're legit. I enjoy a crispy towel, myself.

Well if you’re ever in need, I’ve got about 15 going spare

[quote WingBingo]@Lollolloll do you use any medicated creams at all?

I have a topical cream for spots and it can bleach the towels, even after I have washed my hands. Usually stick to white towels.[/quote]
Yeah, my daughter bleaches everything in sight with her Acnecide cream.

I don't mind a crispy towel, for exfoliating purposes. Tbh mine are only crispy on the first go outnof the cupboard, then they're OK. Although i love it when it gets too cold/damp to put them on the line so they have to go in the tumble dryer

The white company premium towels are amazing!!

Yes it might be the spot cream but it seems to be every flipping towel we’ve bought.!