How to make towels fluffy again.... | The Diary of a Frugal Family

Wondering how to make towels fluffy again? If your once-soft towels now feel rough, stiff or aren’t as absorbent as they used to be, don’t throw them away just yet. In most cases, the problem isn’t the towels themselves – it’s a build-up of detergent and fabric conditioner trapped in the fibres.

Thankfully, there’s an easy way to restore them using a couple of inexpensive ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen cupboard.

First up, let me tell you the reason your towels are no longer as absorbent as they used to be and why they feel more like cardboard than the fluffy towels you want to be wrapping yourself in when you step out of the bath or shower – it’s more than likely because you use the recommended amount of washing detergent when you wash them!

That’s right, the washing detergent you use to wash your towels can build up in the fibres of your towel and will gradually make your towels less fluff and more rough (I just laughed at myself for that line) and will mean that they’re not as absorbent as they once were. Many people use more detergent than they actually need, especially in areas with soft water. Over time, that excess detergent can build up in the fibres of your towels, leaving them feeling rough, less absorbent and nowhere near as soft and fluffy as they once were.

Non-fluffy towels are super easy to fix though and just need a couple of things you’ll probably already have in your kitchen store cupboard – white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.

White vinegar helps dissolve detergent residue left behind in the towel fibres, while bicarbonate of soda helps neutralise odours and lift away any remaining build-up. Together they can restore softness without using harsh chemicals.

The first thing to do if you have towels already in this state is to do a towel refresh wash which is basically a high-temperature wash that will strip off all of the layers of product from the fibres of the towels so when they’re dry they’ll be fluffy once again.

How to do a fluffy towel refresh wash to make your towels fluffy and nice again

Gather together all of your non-fluffy towels and pop them in the washing machine making sure that you don’t overload the drum.
Add 1 cup white vinegar to the drawer where you would normally add your washing detergent.
Do not add washing detergent. Do not add fabric softener. Do not pass go.
Wash on a 90 c wash cycle (yes, I know we’re all about washing at lower temperatures these days and I’m on board with that for all washes but this towel refresh)
Once that wash has finished, do another wash but this time add in a cup of bicarbonate of soda. Again, wash on a high-temperature wash cycle.
Dry outside on a windy day. It’s really important that you do this or at the very least pop them in your tumble drier if you have to but if you put them over the radiator or your indoor drier then they’re not going to dry as soft. Tumble drying on a low heat helps fluff the towel fibres back up, while drying outdoors in a good breeze can also leave towels feeling fresher and softer than drying them slowly indoors.

The towel refresh wash should remove all of the soapy residues from your towels and in most cases, should make them much softer again but sometimes it might take a couple of washes to see the difference depending on how far gone your towels were, what the original fabric quality of your towels was like and even how they dried.

You don’t need to do full-on refresh washes every time you wash your towels but you do need to continue to wash your towels together and do a few things a bit differently.

A fluffy towel regular wash to keep your towels feeling fluffy and nice

You should use this method once you’ve done your initial refresh wash to keep them in the best shape possible.

You only need to use around half of the recommended washing detergent for a regular towel wash. You can use fabric softener in a regular towel wash if you really want to but you don’t really need them.
Add three tablespoons of your trusty white vinegar into the drum of your washing machine.
Wash them on a hot wash
Again, dry them outside on a windy day for the best results.

You can thank me later. 😂

Once you’ve restored your towels, keeping detergent to a minimum and avoiding too much fabric conditioner is usually all it takes to keep them soft for much longer.

Frequently Asked Questions about making towels fluffy again

Why do towels become rough and stiff?

The most common cause is a build-up of washing detergent and fabric conditioner in the towel fibres. Over time, this residue stops the fibres from absorbing water properly and leaves towels feeling rough instead of soft and fluffy.

Does fabric conditioner make towels less fluffy?

Yes, it can. Fabric conditioner coats the fibres of your towels, which can reduce their absorbency and make them feel less fluffy over time. If you do use fabric conditioner, use it sparingly or skip it altogether when washing towels.

Can I use white vinegar on coloured towels?

Yes. White vinegar is generally safe to use on both white and coloured towels and won’t leave them smelling of vinegar once they’ve been washed and dried. It’s a great way to help remove detergent residue and keep towels feeling softer.

How often should I do a towel refresh wash?

Most people only need to do a towel refresh wash every few months or whenever their towels start to feel rough or lose their absorbency. Between refresh washes, using less detergent and avoiding too much fabric conditioner will help keep your towels soft.

Can old towels become fluffy again?

In many cases, yes. If the fibres are still in good condition, removing the detergent build-up can make a surprising difference. However, if your towels are very old or the fibres have become worn out, they may never return to their original softness.

Is it better to air dry or tumble dry towels?

Both methods work well. A tumble dryer on a low heat helps fluff up the fibres, while drying towels outside on a breezy day can also leave them feeling fresh and soft. Avoid drying them slowly on a radiator if possible, as they can end up feeling stiffer.

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Comments

Teresa says
December 1, 2023 at 3:35 pm
The post states that the 2nd step is to add Baking Powder, but hope it is just a typo and should use Baking Soda.
Patti Rosser says
July 15, 2021 at 4:24 pm
Hi, With the second wash, do you add the baking soda to vinegar or is it just the baking soda on its own?
Thanks, Patti.

How to make towels fluffy again….