Menopause Matters Forum

General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: annieb on February 12, 2017, 02:12:28 PM

Title: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: annieb on February 12, 2017, 02:12:28 PM
Recently I have noticed that most of my bath and hand towels are ending up  very rough after washing.  It may be partly because some are old but I've noticed that even the new ones are not as fluffy as I would like after a few washes.  I was using BOLD but then read that you should not use conditioner in the towel wash so moved over to Persil (tablets).
Towels are lovely and clean and fresh smelling but just rough.
Can anyone recommend a solution - different washing powder ?  Maybe my washing machine is the problem (It's getting on a bit) or maybe I need to buy better quality towels.  Quite happy to make the extra investment in the towels (can't run to new machine at the mow) as Gran always says "Buy cheap buy twice!"
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: CLKD on February 12, 2017, 02:24:52 PM
Funnily enough, last week I was planning to open a thread on exactly this subject but forgot  ::).  Whether dried inside or on the line ours are quite stiff and harsh, doesn't make any difference on what material they are made from.

Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: babyjane on February 12, 2017, 02:49:24 PM
Tumble dry them  :)

My husband detests rough towels and always tumble dries his gym towels, they come out lovely and soft and fluffy.  I always tumble dry the bath towels that he uses and they come out nice and soft too.

Me, I am not bothered as I find a rougher towel invigorating and I draw the line at tumble drying the dog's towels but yes, tumble drying does the trick  :)
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: Annie0710 on February 12, 2017, 02:58:33 PM
I always use conditioner then tumble dry and haven't ever had rough towels
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: dazned on February 12, 2017, 03:18:48 PM
Tumble every time  ::)
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: cubagirl on February 12, 2017, 03:22:28 PM
Tumble every time, unless there's a hurricane blowing outside.  ;D 
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: annieb on February 12, 2017, 04:18:43 PM
Not just me then CKLD
Slight problem with tumble drying NO TUMBLE DRYER - nowhere to put one either - any other ideas?
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: babyjane on February 12, 2017, 04:20:42 PM
when we lived in our first little house we had a tumble dryer in the dining room as there was no room anywhere else.  It was a godsend for the terry towelling nappies, made them lovely and fluffy and soft for little bots  :)
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: Dancinggirl on February 12, 2017, 06:12:06 PM
Maybe I'm strange but I don't like soft towels.  I like to really give myself a good buff down with a rough towel after my shower - get rid of loose skin and dry patches, get the circulation going and leave the skin ready for some body moisturiser. This will do the same as those body scrubs you can use in the bath or shower.  I also think that it will allow for better absorption if you are using Oestrogel. DG x
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: Katejo on February 12, 2017, 06:21:32 PM
I have the same problem with rough towels. OK one or two of them are a bit old now but i can't justify throwing them out yet (parents and grandparents kept towels for years.... ;D). i also have no tumble dryer. My kitchen isn't big enough for both and I read that washer dryers were pretty inefficient last time I replaced the washing machine so I didn't bother with one.
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: Annie0710 on February 12, 2017, 06:58:39 PM
Ours is a condensing one so doesn't cause problems
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: dazned on February 12, 2017, 07:36:38 PM
I tumble dry everything,life's to short to iron  ::)

Can honestly say when I changed to this method the electric bill didn't go up that much,especially when considering the hours spent ironing. If the weather's good I hang them out until nearly dry then finish off in dryer,the secret is not to put too much in at once. My dryer is outside in shed/workshop.
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: Pennyfarthing on February 12, 2017, 07:53:35 PM
I tumble dry everything,life's to short to iron  ::)

Can honestly say when I changed to this method the electric bill didn't go up that much,especially when considering the hours spent ironing. If the weather's good I hang them out until nearly dry then finish off in dryer,the secret is not to put too much in at once. My dryer is outside in shed/workshop.

Lots of items can't be tumble dried though.  Most sweatshirts can't for example. My friend used to tumble dry everything and wondered why they got so tight.

I tumble dry towels if the weather is bad. 
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: CLKD on February 12, 2017, 08:55:37 PM
What's a tumble dryer  :-\ ...... I use conditioner with the towel wash and have tried without, same result - too ruff even to use on the dog  ::).

I think I dry ours too quickly.
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: ariadne on February 12, 2017, 10:06:15 PM
I read that using white vinegar instead of fabric softener helps keep towels fluffy. The article said that fabric softener reduces absorbency.

I couldn't bring myself to give up fabric softener completely so now I use half softener and half white vinegar. I buy a 4 litre tub from Amazon or eBay and it lasts for ages.

And, so far so good - towels are soft and fluffy.

Ariadne xx
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: annieb on February 13, 2017, 09:14:57 AM
Ariadne - I read the same about conditioner reducing the absorbancy.  Simply can't have tumble drier so will try the white vinegar - sounds interesting. though now I have thoughts of fish and chips   ;) Must make sure I get the right colour
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: CLKD on February 13, 2017, 01:21:37 PM
Fish and chips crossed my mind too  :D
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: ariadne on February 13, 2017, 07:40:49 PM
You can't smell vinegar on the towels afterwards 😊

Ariadne xx
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: CLKD on February 13, 2017, 08:25:33 PM
OK - next question: how much vinegar per wash? in the conditioner draw or onto the laundry?
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: ariadne on February 13, 2017, 08:44:06 PM
Well I used to fill the fabric softener lid three quarters full with the softener so now I half fill it and top it up with the white vinegar and pour the lot into the softener drawer.

Ariadne xx
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: CLKD on February 13, 2017, 08:55:34 PM
 :thankyou:
Title: Re: Keeping towels soft and fluffy
Post by: CLKD on March 16, 2017, 03:33:05 PM
I've stopped using conditioner and have put them on a shorter wash so that they dry on the line - that way I can judge how stiff they get  ::)