Can you soften muslins that have gone crunchy?

[BertieBotts]

Just looking through DS2's stuff to prepare for imminent DS3. We have loads of muslins still, but probably 95% of them have gone all hard and scratchy. That doesn't matter for what we mainly use them for now (wiping up spills, doll blankets, emergency bib, park swing dryer, potty training accidents etc) but if I am going to use them for the new baby I'd like them to be all soft again. Is there any special way of washing them which would achieve this? If not, I will probably buy some new ones but it does seem like a bit of a waste.

I was going to ask on the cloth nappy section because I'm sure they'd know but I can't find it!

We do not have a tumble drier, if that matters.

Bump for the morning crowd :)

I was going to say tumble dryer as that works for us but you don't have one. I also use white vinegar instead of fabric conditioner which helps keep them soft too.

Yes white vinegar! That’s exciting about DS3. Good luck Bertie.

Would you do it as like a strip wash? I don't normally use fabric softener on them anyway but they might have gone into a wash with some in if I wasn't paying attention.

Yes! Provided they are clean I just chuck them on a normal 40 wash but with white vinegar instead of powder. I know other people use vinegar instead of softener though.

You may get more expert advice than this though, I’m a bit slap dash.

Would also line dry outside if poss, the radiator definitely makes them crunchy.

Give them a really good shake before you hang them to dry. I find it helps with towels and used to help with cloth nappies.

To strip wash nappies I wash at 60 with detergent and then give them an extra rinse cycle which helps when they get a bit crunchy. My airing cupboard makes things go crunchy but tumble drier doesn't, I think line drying may make them less crunchy than radiators or airing cupboards too zx

Hmm I am already doing all of these things. They get dried on an airer in an unheated/sunny room and I always shake them to get them to open out. We don't have space to dry outside as live in a flat.

Perhaps they are all a lost cause 🤔

I will gather them up and try a wash at 60 with no detergent and an extra rinse.

You might like to try ironing them. It works for handkerchiefs.