scratchy hard towels

[eggybrokenoff]

my towels are always hard after washing but seem to have gone extra crunchy after a winter of radiator drying. can I do anything about this? would love softer towels (but cant tumble dry)

Dry them outside.
The wind softens them really well. I don't stop drying outside even in winter- today has been a lovely crisp breezy day and I have dried three loads of washing- including blankets. they are at least 80% dry and just need finishing off indoors.

you might have a build up of soap residue in them. Give them a hot hot hot wash with washing soda but no powder, detergent or softener.

is washing soda the same thing as soda crystals? I have heard pure laundry soap is good but cant find any

yes.

Avoid Caustic Soda which is quite different and will burn holes in you.

Whatever you do, don't use fabric conditioner. Yes, they'll be lovely and soft - but they won't actually absorb the water off your body that a towel is meant to do, as the softener is actually a waxy coating.

I've just seen the longterm forecast for next week - I'm finally going to send all the underlayers of bedding round - hurrah! And the throws off the sofas, cushion covers, maybe even the curtains.

I use fabric softener as I live in a very hard water area, and my towels are very absorbent, so I don't agree with that. I very rarely line dry anything, but tumble drying always keeps my towels soft.

Tumble dryer make them lovely and soft, i never use fabric softener

The op said she can't tumble dry. I have also continued to line dry outdoors when it has been dry and can tell by touching my towels on the shelf which have been dried outdoors and which in. Doesn't matter if the sun is not shining as long as it is at least breezy and dry.

Stick just a calgon tablet or powder in with scratchy towels, no detergent or softener, and put on hot wash. For extra scratchy towels you may need to repeat. Then line dry from then on and repeat if they become scratchy again!

(This removes detergent/softener build up)

I like scratchy towels!

They have a nice, exfoliating feel & dry you better

I must admit to tumble drying towels even when it's 25 degrees outside but my Mum (she of amazingly soft towels and no tumble drier) says you should always do your towel wash on a windy day - the wind is what softens them on the washing line. I would call bullshit but her towels really are fabulously soft.

Wht tumble dry when its 25 degrees? Trying to use up all our fossil fuel?

I just like fluffy, soft towels. I do feel a bit guilty. Mind you, there aren't many 25 degree days really.

I love hard towels, which is just as well really, as mine are like sandpaper.

DH loves crunchy towels. I do not. I found a couple of good flicks (kinda snappy shakes iyswim) during the drying process used to helped now own a tumble dryer

I have a garden full of trees, any line would be in direct line of fire of birds and squirrels.

I've not tried this..... But I would try ironing them when they are nearly dry. Perhaps the heat will soften them up a bit?

I always always dry outside if I can - will try stripping them of build up. but I would rather dry myself on sandpaper than iron a towel!

Agree, life is too short for ironing towels. My grandmother is outraged :)

But she irons socks and underwear. .. ahh to be retired!

Life is too short to iron. Period.

I couldn't use the tumble dryer to dry towels, especially on a really warm day
a) the extravagance- money to burn- this feeling was instilled in me by my mother- the Irish 'jesus is the immersion on' panic - the cost of it !!
See Des Bishop on You Tube for a hilarious example of this attitude.
B) the impact on global warming. I believe all that flooding was caused by it and if everybody made an effort ( I'm looking at you China) it would make a difference.