tea towels that won't dry

[Trethew]

My new tea towels don't dry. They seem almost water resistant. All plain cotton (not towelling) and bought from several places. I assume there is some sort of fabric dressing on them so they have been through a 60 wash several times. Still not absorbing properly.

What do I do next?

You're not using fabric conditioner in the wash are you?

No advice but I'm totally going to follow this thread. I've just binned 3 cotton ones that never dried anything and Oddly always smelled of vomit.
I replaced them with fancy microfibre ones that are also water repellent. It's so frustrating!!!!!

No fabric conditioner in last wash. Added a double dose of Vanish in desperation. Made no difference

Ok, the only other thing I could suggest is that they are not "fit for purpose" and to return them.

Sorry, but before you take them back, just double check the washing instructions - you'd be surprised what fabrics now say don't wash at high temperatures (not because the fabric can't handle it, but because it's an "eco friendly" initiative and to limit manufacturer liability from claims for damaged fabrics).

So if the label says wash at 30/40 degrees, you may want to "forget" :) to tell the store you washed at a higher temp, as they will almost certainly reject a return if you say your wash differed to instructions.

I never seem to be able to find tea towels that dry, if you ever find a brand / type that work for you OP please come back and update!

do they have print on it?
I have a few with big flowery print and the print is sort of rubbery.
dc uses them as teddy blankets...

I had this problem too, especially the nasty vomit smell mine have! Also cath kidston ones are rubbish for anything other than looking pretty

I believe they have changed the cotton fiber. I've noticed this and it is very frustrating.

Tea towels only dry once you've washed them 100's of times . I find the textured ones better , the ones that have little loops in the weave .
Like these

Last night I put them in a huge pan with soap powder and boiled them for about 45 mins. They are flatter and limper now but they work. The cotton ones from IKEA are like my old favourites. The linen ones are drying properly too, but the creases won't iron out. The posh Sophie Allport one is the least successful, being still quite fat and stiff and the colours have faded

It made the whole house smell wonderful

I've heard that Poli Dry towels are very good - anyone tried them??

Re. The poli-dry ones; these are the only ones I buy now, as they are by far the best for drying. However, I usually get the yellow checked or red checked ones. The one in the photo-not a bit practical, colourwise, but the shop I get them in didn't have the yellow or red ones in stock at the time!

I only use poli dri too

They are quite expensive but last for years and you can boil them