can I get towels fluffy without dryer?

[MousyMouse]

and without making them non-absorbent by using tons of softener?
I don't have a dryer and miss soft+absorbent towels.

washing line.

a bit of washing soda in the wash (not too much soap) may help

If they hang in a breeze, that will help. As will vigorously shaking them when you take them down.

I only use very little detergent (a couple of tablespoons) and half a cup of soda crystals + 60 degree wash.

oh, and have to be careful about drying stuff outside due to hayfever.

maybe think about a tumbler then

I also have a few allergies, but often finish things off in the drier after they have been on the line. It either shakes pollen off, or cooks it.

another thing that will help a lot is a water softener. I may have mentioned it before.

Ironing can help some stuff get softer - I haven't tried towels but it works on cotton cellular blankets. I have a faint recollection of a friend who ironed towels (to get them soft) but I can't recall the exact state of the towels in her house post the ironing to be sure if it actually worked or not.

hard water area here. I don't use softener because someone advised me not to. I hang them out as much as I can, it makes no difference. I have a tumble drier but hate using it .

The odd time in the winter when dd has come back from uni with towels and bedding I've taken it to the launderette. It all comes back beautifully soft.

So I'm givin 'watch this thread' a big hit. :)

Laundrettes frequently have water softeners. If dd is in a soft water area it will have washed the accumulated scale out of them. Towels get harder and harder in a hard water area.

there used to be a dryer in the cellar, but that wasn't a good place for one (too damp). we don't really have a good space for one to go.
maybe when this washer dies (door seal is starting to crack and we can't get a replacement) we will get a washer/dryer for fluffing up towels or emergencies drying needs.
will look into water softeners.

Ah Piglet, font of all knowledge, I can't afford a water softener gizmo, so is it soda crystals in the machine you're advising?

:)

I think it may help, give it a try. Towels are not usually very dirty unless you use bath oil and skin cream.

wow, didn't realise hard water was the reason for my towels being rock hard.

Would something like calgon work to get softer towels? They make the water in the machine less hard don't they?

i washed mine in a small dose of powder and lots of calgon last week, sadly did not make any difference.

Tumble drying makes them softer but i don't want to in the summer so I have soft towels in winter, hard in summer.

Will try the soda crystals though

I haven't found any way that doesn't include the dryer
BUT

1. We have economy 7 electricity so I get up early and dry them when it's cheap

AND

1. I save my towel wash for a rainy day so I don't feel so guilty using the dryer

you can economise by getting them mostly dry on the line, then finishing off in the drier.