Boring thread alert - clothes drying!

[ThatGladTiger]

Serial tumble dryer user here!

Weather has been glorious so thought I’d dry the laundry outside for a change. Result was crispy crunchy clothes, not soft at all!

What am I doing wrong? 😑

Strong wind is what helps soften clothes if you dry them outside.

You’re not doing anything wrong. This is what happens and why a lot of people (like me) always use a tumble dryer. Hate crispy clothes. You could compromise and just finish them off in the dryer but I can’t be bothered with the faff of doing that.

Do you use fabric softener?

Put the dry things in the tumble dryer for 5-10 mins with a damp cloth. They will soften and anything creased will drop the creases. If you're primarily looking to reduce creasing, only put a few similar weight items in at a time.

Alternatively, bring things inside when slightly damp and tumble dry to finish then.

Live with it. It'd be criminal to use a tumble drier in this weather.

My towels were a bit stiff due to baking like a rock in the sun.

The other clothes were all fine - I live in a soft water area, use liquid detergent, never use fabric conditioner.

I don't have a tumble dryer so stuff either goes in airers next to the radiator, or if it's dry outside, on the washing line.
None of my clothes are crispy or crunchy!

Do you use fabric conditioner?

Clothes feel exactly the same to me wherever they are dried. Towels are a different matter but I love them. The crispier the better, it's a far more satisfying dryong experience using a crispy towel than a limp one. Embrace it!

It’ll be an unpopular suggestion but this is where ironing is useful.

I love a crispy crunchy towel personally,

I use a small amount of fabric conditioner (not on towels though) and this helps

I think if you are so used to tumble drying then air or line drying will feel weird due to texture etc. I’ve always line dried except in really crappy weather and then I do use a mix of tumble drying and heated airer.

You need to shake it like if it owed you money and bought trip to spain while claiming it cannot pay you back, before and after hanging. Works perfectly

My towels were a bit stiff due to baking like a rock in the sun.
A tip I picked up off MN years ag to soften a stiff towel is to rub the towel against itself. So take a bit of the towel in one hand, and another bit in the other and rub together. Then take two different bits and so the same. Not sure if ive explained that very well but it does work

I put towels in the dryers for 10 minutes otherwise don’t worry about it, they soften as soon as you put them on

Yes,shake before hanging and don't leave out all day in this heat. I peg out over night and it's ready to come in at about 10 am. Use fabric softener too.

Thanks everyone! Yes I do use fabric softener.

Will give them a good shake next time and see if that helps. Like a pp said, feels criminal to use the tumble dryer at the mo.

I draw the line at towels though. 😑

Use fabric softener too.

Should not be used on towels, ever, as it reduces their absorbency.

😐 oh my!

it's a far more satisfying drying experience using a crispy towel than a limp one

So true. I really loathe the feel of a limp towel coated in fabric conditioner. Slimey! Ew.

Well, that’s an interesting way to explain a simple task. Is there something you’d like to get off your chest? 😂

Really? I didn’t know this 😑

Is the way forward crispy towels? I just cant 😩

It's one of those things I genuinely didn't realise isn't what everyone likes for years. Crispy towels are the best! You get a nice invigorating exfoliation at the same time as drying. Line-dried towels are one of my favourite things about summer.

White vinegar instead of softener for towels keeps them absorbent and soft.

Few agree with me, but I prefer crisp bedding, too.

Really? I didn’t know this [about fabric conditioner affecting towels absorbency]

Read this from Which, it explains why and offers alternatives:
https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/how-to-get-fluffy-towels-a5ydt2V9VHsn

I love crisp bedding, looks and feels lovely. I line dried all the bedding at the weekend and cool slightly crisp sheets have been a joy.

I feel very guilty for using my tumble dryer this week but I’m recovering from knee replacement surgery ( 2 weeks ago) and cannot walk without crutches so there’s no way I could stand up and peg out washing.

Even before the surgery, I struggled to put my washing out, standing up and walking was very painful so I mainly used my dryer. Not everyone is physically able to hang out washing.