My towels are hard after washing.

I use fabric softener in my towel wash every couple of months and always tumble dry. I pop 2 of those spiky balls Lakeland sell in the dryer too. Lovely fluffy towels!

I haven't got a tumble dryer! My kitchen has got too many doors in it. Stuff won't fit.

pittcity the last holiday cottage we stayed in, the towels and the duvet cover smelled of vinegar! (I prefer Lenor )

I always finish my towels off in the dryer with a Tesco softener sheet....Nice smell.

I take it you use water softener? (as well as fabric one) Not sure if that makes any difference or not to final softness. (the rinsing water is still hard)

Semi-drying on the line and finishing off in the tumble dryer works well for me. I do use fabric onditioner as well. Towels do get hard if they're allowed to dry completely either outside or on a radiator.

Vinegar is great- and dry out in the sun if at all possible- and a very quick finish with the 'dryer balls' for about 5 mins.

I don't use conditioner on towels, replacing it with vinegar. This is to help absorbency. I admit that towels get tumble dried here to keep them soft!

Have you tried 50 grammes of soda in with a reduced amount (reduce by the same 50 grammes) of washing powder? That may do it.

I never use fabric softener on towels or teatowels cause they don't dry as well if you use it. Although it's not good to have a towel that's tantamount to using a brillo pad [ouch]. How about giving them a good soak in fabric conditioner, then washing them on a lower temperature without fabric conditioner, tumble drying them for a short while to fluff them up a bit then dry away from direct heat. This should only take 2 weeks max .

Perhaps you have washed them on too hot a programme in the past?

Are you adding enough fabric softener? I wash towels on 40 degree Delicates cycle. Strange they were hard when you were in a soft water area. I thought it was down to hard water (like what I've got)

I like a fairly "brisk" towel.