Can hard towels be made soft again.

Cambsnan

Stop using softener. Unless you use Lakeland one just for towels.
To soften hard towels, soak overnight in a bath with calgon. Then wash as hot as label allows with white vinegar as softener. Then either tumble dry or give them a really good shake before hanging out. Have a look at Nancy Birthwhistle’s green tips on line

... this!

If you don't have a tumble dryer, giving the towels a good shake reshapes the fibres, apparently, and this is what is supposed to keep them soft.

Dare I say how I love hard towels?
Along with carbolic soap and Izal toilet paper.. brings out the puritanical streak in me !
None of this hedonistic soft , fluffy towels stuff for me
I'm a tough Northumbrian , doors open in all weather!!!
Ps ... we don't actually use Izal these days .... " Who gives a c ..." is good enough!!!

Oh dear. I love abrasive towels personally and have a few that are decades old. When the grandchildren and other family members and friends call I use softer, new ones.

Mirren

Dare I say how I love hard towels?
Along with carbolic soap and Izal toilet paper.. brings out the puritanical streak in me !
None of this hedonistic soft , fluffy towels stuff for me
I'm a tough Northumbrian , doors open in all weather!!!
Ps ... we don't actually use Izal these days .... " Who gives a c ..." is good enough!!!

Wright's Coal Tar soap - Mmmmm!
I love the smell but try to confine its use to my hands only 😀

Fabric softener/ conditioner actually inhibits the absorbency of your towels.
After the inital drying you can toss them in the dryer with a couple dryer balls and that will soften them. You only need 5 minutes or so.

I tumble dry mine and they are lovely and soft. I do not use fabric conditioner.

To be honest if you are using the same towels regularly and washing them once or twice a week I think they need replacing every 3 to 5 years.

Maybe I am just too fussy 😂

Give them a really good wash in very hot water and detergent, put them on the line to dry. I have never used fabric conditioner, it leaves a residue on towels. My towels are just fine.

Foxyferret

I must be the only person in the world who likes hard crispy towels. They seem to dry better than soft fluffy ones. Each to their own I guess.

I'm in the same camp. I also avoid using the tumble dryer except as a last resort.
This explains the argument against fabric softeners.

ethicalunicorn.com/2018/11/06/you-dont-need-fabric-softener-heres-why-its-useless-bad-for-the-planet/

How much vinegar in the washing machine? I live in a v hard water area.

This definitely works - they need a good ‘snap’ - I remember doing it to old Terry nappies! A frost helps too if you can hang them outside… I guess it lifts the loops in the same way as a ‘snap’!

Ditto. Wash in machine using bog standard Persil. Give a really hearty shake when taken out and also when dry. Easy!

My towels are always soft and fluffy even when years old. Washing machine 60° no fabric conditioner as this negates the absorption of towels. Tumble dryer on hot dry for 80 minutes.

Not trying to make any point other than it works for me.

I too like ‘crispy’ towels. They’re more absorbent. Nothing like a back rub with a crispy towel 🤣. I air dry them either on the line or on an airer and if using for visitors, give them a quick whirl in the drier for 5 minutes to fluff them up a bit!

80 minutes in a tumble drier!!!

Marmight

I too like ‘crispy’ towels. They’re more absorbent. Nothing like a back rub with a crispy towel 🤣. I air dry them either on the line or on an airer and if using for visitors, give them a quick whirl in the drier for 5 minutes to fluff them up a bit!

Does anyone use a ventless dryer?

I'm looking at getting one but would like to hear from anyone who already has one.

I had a condenser dryer where the water gathered in the receptacle in the door of the machine. No problem with it but when I had to replace it, I wasn’t very financially secure so I got the cheaper vented one..

Shinamae

I had a condenser dryer where the water gathered in the receptacle in the door of the machine. No problem with it but when I had to replace it, I wasn’t very financially secure so I got the cheaper vented one..

... ah! thanks for that Shinamae - good to know that you didn't have a problem with it.

I'm evaluating, and that's the sort of information I need!

Should never use fabric softener on towels- like to air dry mine (weather permitting) & finish off in the dryer)
Try 1/2 cup of soda crystals or 1/2 cup of white vinegar.
Probably time to buy new towels.

I too like a crispy towel to take the rough off 🤣 can’t stand soft or those velvet type towels that still leave one damp 😩

Mt61

I too like a crispy towel to take the rough off 🤣 can’t stand soft or those velvet type towels that still leave one damp 😩

Heat pump dryers don’t crisp up towels btw

Foxyferret

I must be the only person in the world who likes hard crispy towels. They seem to dry better than soft fluffy ones. Each to their own I guess.

You're not the only one, I prefer hard towels and I have one friend who prefers them too. In my opinion fluffy towels aren't really fit for purpose, but, as you say, each to their own.

Dickens - I have had a condenser (ventless) dryer for years.

They are much more convenient than a vented dryer as you don't have to worry about have a hole in the wall for the vent or a vent pipe out of the window.

The water collects in a container that you access at the front. I just tip the water out after each dry. I also clean the door filter after each dry.

Dickens I also have a ventless dryer, have had it for a number of years. Yes, same as PinkCosmos, just empty the water container after each load.

Mine has several different programmes and I'd say they're not really necessary.

Thank you Pink Cosmos and Allira for your input.

I always tumble dry mine but have you tried ironing them with a steam iron? it helps a bit.