Fluffy towels without a tumble dryer...?

[DTisMYdoctor]

Is it possible at all?

We had to replace our washer-dryer with a washing machine for reasons I won't bore you with. We have no room elsewhere for a dryer, and while for the most part we won't miss the dryer function, I am wondering if it's possible to get fluffy towels without one.

Any suggestions or tips welcome!

I haven't found a way. Sorry.

I like stiff towels and never tumble them.

You know you can get mini tumble dryers. Our friend has one in her garage.
Or you could give them a good shake and use excessive amounts of fabric conditioner...? (haven't done this!)

Nowhere to put even a mini one unfortunately. I didn't think you should use fabric conditioner with towels?

No, don't use fabric conditioner. I like scratchy towels too, feels nice on the skin. Maybe you could try rubbing them up against themselves and they may go a bit softer ?

mine seem fine after a good blow on the line, although this obviously needs suitable weather, and it works a lot better in warmer temperatures.

fluffy towels just have to be seasonal, like strawberries!

Vinegar in the final rinse? That's supposed to give softer towels without fabric conditioner.

This has been my obsession for the last year! I have tried line drying, vinegar, calgon tablets, some gunk from Kleenezee, heated airer... Haven't found a way. Washer broke so have bought a washer dryer!

I'll try vinegar, I'd forgotten about that. Someone else has recommended putting a wet flannel in with dry towels on a fast spin so I may try that too.

I live in Scotland specialsubject, so good weather for line drying is scarcer than for most

I may just have to learn to live with scratchy towels I'm sure some towels are more inclined to be scratchy than others. We got some new hand towels from M&S recently which aren't too bad after a wash, so I might look at getting some bath sheet versions of those. Our current bath sheets are VERY scratchy. Ah well, saves on body scrubs I suppose...

I should add though that my washer was crap, so that might have something to do woth it. It is worth trying with just a calgon tablet as it is meant to get rid of all the built up detergent and conditioner, and as a bonus cleans your washer! And don't use fabric conditioner. It does depend on the towel though. All the baby's hooded towels are really soft, even if dried on the radiator.

Some towels do seem to be softer than others. I like scratchy towels to

water softener.

All you strange people who like scratchy towels!

Is there such a thing as water softener? Every day is a school day! I live in a soft water area so it's not something that's ever been on my radar.

If you already have soft water, but your towels are scratchy, I would suspect soap residue. Give them a hot hot hot wash with no powder and see if the water foams up with the old soap dissolving.

You can add a cup of washing soda if you have it.

Cotton towels will withstand a very hot wash.

Why shouldn't you use fabric softener with towels? I always do, am I missing something?

P.s

You know you can stack a drier on top of a washer? Bosch do a special kit to prevent it falling off, I presume other makes do too.

It must be the fabric. My one remaining 32 yes 32 year old toweling nappy is beautifully soft and is washed with towels which turn out to be scratchy while it remains so soft!!!

banter fabric softener coats the towels and it reduces their ability to absorb water as well as they can without the use of softener. I use it on towels too though, as I like all my laundry to smell like it's just dropped out of a meadow

As the purpose of FS is to soften, it coats every fibre of whatever it's used it on.

DT It really does depend upon the towel - 100% Egyptian Cotton Pile is the softest I have ever come across without a dryer - but to replace an entire towel collection with them is likely to be pricey.

Failing that, I have heard using hair conditioner in the wash in place of fabric conditioner can make towels soft; apparently due to the difference of hair conditioner it won't destory absorbency like softener can. However, not 100% sure this is the case - I have just heard of people doing it.

HTH

Ironing towels makes them soft

I've just seen this thread but in case anyone's still interested --
Don't use fabric softener (it coats the fibres, making them FEEL soft but inhibiting their drying capability -- the whole point of a towel!). Instead, use white vinegar as a final rinse, which helps prevent a scratchy texture.
Don't use a lot of detergent -- a long-term build-up will leave the towels feeling greasy (and will inhibit the drying capability).
Give freshly-washed towels a good shake to fluff up the texture.
Don't dry towels over a radiator - it makes them stiff (NEAR a rad is OK, on an airer, but you need to keep going back and shaking the towels to prevent hardening -- outside is best, on a straight line, not an umbrella-shaped one which blocks the natural breeze).
Hope this helps.