Un-crunching towels

[PragmaticWench]

Is there any way to turn crunchy bath towels back to soft, fluffy towels or are they just ruined?

We couldn't use softener for a few years due to DD'so eczema and don't have a tumble dryer, so our towels are now rough as hell. DM seems to keep hers soft as a baby's bum with copious amounts of softener and over-use of a tumble dryer, and moans like mad about ours. Is there any way to rescue them? I've recently been able to use softener again in moderation and they're slightly better, sort of.

I can't believe I'm asking this, it seems rather minor...

tumble dryer
or line drying in the wind
using (much) less detergent and a spoonfull of soda crystals
use white vinegar in the softener compartment

Soak them in diluted vinegar for a bit before washing. It should help get the limescale off which is probably the source of the crunch. Fabric softener will make them slightly waterproof which kind of defeats the purpose of a towel.

I'm afraid only a tumble dryer works for me. They are the only items I religiously tumble dry as I prefer to use the line.

I've decided that the crunch is a good thing as it helps exfoliate. Don't have a drier and don't like the feel of softener....

I only like a towel when it's gone crunchy.

Soft fluffy towels don't dry as well, and don't get the circulation going.

Embrace the roughness!

Mixing half a cup of soda with the normal amount of detergent you use every now and then can help.

You need to get rid of build up on your towels. Build up might be lime scale, old detergent or fabric softener.

Never use fabric softener on towels and always tumble them if you want them fluffy. If you don't have a tumble dryer, you could do a big "towel only" wash and dry at the launderette once a month (I know people who do this - it's quite an efficient way of managing towels).

I don't have an answer as tumble dryer keeps ours soft-ish but I just want to say my mum also complained about hard towels and I'm amazed someone else's does too - thought it was just my mum

The problem with embracing the roughness is that DD and DS have eczema, so it hurts them to use rough towels!

Some good ideas here, thanks everyone. I'm going to try the vinegar as we live in an area with ridiculously hard water. Also going to take them to the laundrette near work to tumble dry them - such a good idea, I would never have thought of that!

Have you tried steam ironing them? That will soften them up.

Freedom my DM seems to think I am purposefully making my towels rough and that it's borderline abusive to her grandchildren.

Ooh, I'll get the iron out!

I find fluffy ones don't absorb very well and yes, crunchy towels here too. Stopped using fabric softener years ago for £££ and environmental reasons.

We had this too, no tumbler and Dec with excema. So, dm replaced all her towels and we had her old ones. Result!!

yes, also consider hamam or camping towels.
thinner, soft material. might be worth a go.

Tumble dryer keeps them soft it's the only way I know, I really don't like crunchy towels! 2

Tumble dry them. Don't use fabric softener. (Or on any sportswear).

Dry in the wind. And for next wash or two, no detergent and as hot as you can. Will get rid of buildup.