Towels that stay fluffy (no tumble dryer)

[Rufffles]

I think I'm in search of the impossible! I'd like some bath and hand towels for occasional use (guests) that stay fluffy. I'm not expecting them to look like new indefinitely, but just capable of retaining some of their ooomph!

I bought some in the M&S sale about two years ago and they've gone thin, scratchy and are fraying. They've only been used <10 times each!

Can anyone help with a recommendation?

Worth noting that we don't have a tumble dryer. We dry things outside (when it's dry) and on a heated airer (when it's not).

Thank you in advance!

I love thin, scratchy towels as they’re the most absorbent but my Asda cheapo towels have resisted all my boil-wash and nuclear dryer attempts to harden them up. They remain stubbornly fluffy and soft. Asda. Cheap as chips.

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These ones stay fluffy! I've had them for over a year and they are still like new. I don't have a tumble dryer. I find that now just after they are washed they are slightly less fluffy but definitely not scratchy and after one use they are back to perfect again.

lunaroceans.com/products/classic-bath-sheet

If they are cotton they will always go scratchy without a tumble dryer, it's something to do with how the cellulose drys. There was a piece on the radio about the other day. The cells need to be bashed against each other to break the chains and soften up

Peplepue, which radio station/show was it? I'd like to listen on catchup if possible.

@Rufffles do you know if the m&s towels you bought two years ago were the luxury spa towels with 650gsm? I've been looking at them, and this is the blurb ...

"GSM stands for grams per square metre and indicates the weight and density of the towel ... 450-600 GSM signifies a lightweight towel: good value and quick-drying, with added benefits such as low-twist yarn to make them feel more like their heavier-weight counterparts. At the higher end of the scale, 600-800 GSM signifies a heavier, more luxurious towel. The pile in these deluxe towels is denser and more lavish. Towels at the lower end of the range are great for everyday use, while those at the higher end resemble the towels you’d find in a luxury hotel."

I think tumble drying is the magic ingredient to fluffy absorbent towels, along with no fabric conditioner and being decent quality in the first place. I've sets of M&S towels some of which are 40 years old and still going strong , obviously not as thick and fluffy as when new but nowhere near threadbare and have not shrunk.

I always have to to dry and finish my towels off in dryer to get them fluffy otherwise hard and scratchy aired dried

Bamboo towels?

I like the look of the bamboo towels. Any recommendations? I've found some online but they all seem to be cotton/bamboo blends. Anyone know the optimum blend? The Dunelm ones are 25% bamboo but seem to be out of stock. I've found some in another well known store that are 30% bamboo and cheaper than Dunelm. But is 30% enough to get the bamboo benefit?

white winter vinegar in the softner drawer instead of softner and use a in wash scent booster instead

I was going to start a thread to ask if it was possible to get hard scratchy towels to soften up? Dos anyone know?

I don't have a dryer, but did buy some fabric conditioner today....

The QI elves spoke about this on bbc2 recently. They explained why they go stiff. One suggestion was to shake them after they are dry.

They go scratchy because of left over soap residue.

Try putting them on extra rinse, no fabric conditioner.

Dunelm ultimate towels. They stay lovely.

asda ones keep fluffy and add a cup of vinegar to washing machine instead of fabric conditioner.

Don't use fabric conditioner. Ever.

Take 'em to a laundrette for a tumble dry even so often. Magical.

They go scratchy because the cross links joint the molecule chains together break. They need heat AND some moisture to restore the cross links to make them to fluffy In towels, tumbling is the most important thing because it raises the pile on them.

If it’s fluffy after coming out of a washer it ain’t cotton.

The cross links joining the molecule rows together on the fibre break. This is also why creasing occurs when items are washed.

An hour on the washing line - maybe two on a murky winter's day - and they're soft, fluffy and dry! All you need is a no nonsense Best of British attitude and, Bob's your uncle, and the washing will do its duty. We ruled the waves so a little bit of washing should be a cinch!

Right, ok I'm going to try some vinegar in the wash, no conditioner, an extra rinse, a good shake and if I can get to a laundrette, a tumble dry!

Honestly a couple are like drying yourself with sandpaper!

Thinking about it, do i put the vinegar in the drawer or drum? Will apple cider vinegar do?

I bought some from House of Fraser by a brand called Sheridan which are pretty good - have fared far better than some nice M&S ones that I bought around the same time. No dryer here either. Am intrigued by the vinegar suggestion!

I've bought some 30% bamboo towels from Asda for just £7 each. Fingers crossed!