Soft towels without tumble dryer

[mandoforever]

I need some new towels and as per the title can anyone recommend the towels they have which have stayed soft without a tumble dryer?

I have soft water and don't use fabric conditioner, I've tried white vinegar. I don't have room for a tumble dryer.

Interested in this one too! I have John Lewis towels - 6 years old now (is that old?) and they're so flat and scratchy. Vinegar makes absolutely no difference.

I would like to know too!

I quite love a scratchy cardboard towel out the wash feels like it's exfoliating or something

I think different brands are much of a muchness where they are made of the same material. I know there are different types of cotton like supima which claim to be softer but I'm not sure if that stays the case after washing which I think is where the real difference will be.

I've started using Ecozone laundry water softener tablets which (alongside vinegar) I think are helping. Although DP also likes a scratchy towel.

Ecozone also sell a specific towel softening product but I haven't tried it.

I've bought some rubber spiky ball things from amazon which you put in your washing machine which has really helped, along with halving the amount of washing powder and not using fabric softener. The fabric softener actually clogs up the fibers which makes them stiff. If you've got really rough, stiff towels use some white vinegar to remove any built up residue (can you tell I've Googled this loads and tried all sorts!)

I bought a Primark towel. It's less than 6 weeks and already looking tired and feeling scratchy.
Obviously it has been shown washed in the machine a few times.
I'm the world's worst towel owner.
I destroy them but I don't know why.

Without a tumble dryer, impossible I would imagine.

Another vote for crunchy towels. My neighbour, who does not have a tumble dryer, irons hers to make them soft. I think she must have time on hers hands!

Skirt wrong thread. This is ancient