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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

remind me how to have soft towels without tumble drying

28 replies

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 21/07/2006 13:32

they're like cardboard and I hate it. I know it's got something to do with vinegar but can't remember what

OP posts:
poisson · 21/07/2006 13:33

er.........archive search?

crazydazy · 21/07/2006 13:33

Only way mine are soft is when I tumble dry, have tried everything else so, I too would be very interested.

littlerach · 21/07/2006 13:34

wasn't it vinegar instead of fabric softener?

But this would make them smell, no?

poisson · 21/07/2006 13:35

ketchup good too

morningpaper · 21/07/2006 13:35

Fairy non bio fabric conditioner

marvellous stuff

Piffle · 21/07/2006 13:35

assuming you're not boycotting fairy of course

beef · 21/07/2006 13:37

softest towels I've ever had is from a condensor dryer - the normal ones aren't a patch for softness.

why not tumble?

(actually I prefer my towels a bit on the rough side!

beef · 21/07/2006 13:37

oh bloody hell - what have P&G done?

I won't be boycotting whatever anyway!

JonesTheSteam · 21/07/2006 13:41

Didn't think you were supposed to put fabric conditioner in with towels - doesn't it stop them absorbing so much water.

I'm afraid I tumble dry mine, regardless of the weather - hate having crispy towels.

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 21/07/2006 13:41

am I meant to be boycotting fairy? why not tumble dry - a. coz it's bad for my conscience, b. coz it's bad for the environment, c. coz it's bed for the electricity bill, d. because it makes the kitchen even hotter than it already is and e. because the tumble dryer's knackered

OP posts:
beef · 21/07/2006 13:43

vinegar it is then! (if you want that chip parfum about you!)

saffymum · 21/07/2006 13:56

Hi, I sympathise with the bill, heat and environment too, I dry mine for 10 mins then hang them out, it takes the 'crispyness' off of them ;0) but if your dryer is knackered, there isn't much you can do!

themoon66 · 21/07/2006 13:57

Saffymum - I do it the other way round. Hang them out then finish off for 10 mins in the tumbler dryer (a condensing one).

moyasmum · 21/07/2006 14:13

Try a pre soak of borax solution before the wash.

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 21/07/2006 14:20

saffymum - that's what I normally do and it just about satisfies my yearnings for soft towels without being too lackadaisical with the environment but, yes, at the moment not much good as the thing's on the blink. but am thinking I should use the opportunity to train myself in better ways.

OP posts:
Squarer · 21/07/2006 14:28

When I wash towels I always fill the fabric conditioner thing with vinegar, which not only makes towels softer, it cleans the washing machine of any soap residue.
I have turned into the vinegar queen since first reading a thread about it on Mumsnet!

Squarer · 21/07/2006 14:30

oh, and they don't smell of vinegar afterwards

CaptainFlameSparrow · 21/07/2006 14:33

Yup - I use vinegar on nappies and it keeps them softer.

Towels I use comfort and just spend longer drying myself . I tend to collapse on the bed snuggled in towels and air dry anyway.

Orinoco · 21/07/2006 15:16

Message withdrawn

JessaJam · 21/07/2006 15:19

the back of cupboard stuff...

Orinoco · 21/07/2006 19:47

Message withdrawn

Piffle · 22/07/2006 20:59

lakeland dryer balls work apparently...

KatyH · 24/07/2006 22:10

Towels go crispy and hard when they have completely dried out. Therefore if you don't want to use your tumble dryer, just take them off the line/dryer when they are still very slightly damp. It works for me...when I remember!

NotAnOtter · 24/07/2006 22:12

line dry - 5 minute tumble

LilacWine · 25/07/2006 07:25

i use fabric softner every 5 or so washes and that helps.