Washed towels in the sun and now like sandpaper.

Iron the towels with a hot iron, that will help to soften them 🙂.

Personally, I like a towel like sandpaper, it's good for exfoliating the skin 😂.

Tumble dryer is the only way to get them soft again, rewash and never mind the extra expense! Conditioner will make them really soft, but less absorbent. A couple of tennis balls in the tumble dryer helps!

I would dry them on the line but finish them for a few minutes in the tumble drier.
I don't mind towels like sandpaper.

I like rough towels 😂 I don’t like those velvet type towels that slide off the body whilst trying to get dried.

Yes don’t put comfort in your towel wash, as they can end up slimy.

I agree, a brief spin in the drier solves the problem. I do mine ten mins they then dry soft

Used to them like that as I’ve never had a tumble drier.

Using fabric conditioner when laundering towels and tea towels not only reduces their absorbency but they will sour quicker once damp.

Personally, I prefer a scratchy towel I think they dry the skin better.

Once my towels have had a line dry I just give them all a good shake which tends to remove any stiffness.

I always use fabric softener and have never had sour or slimy towels but they are absorbent. I give them about 10 minutes in the tumble drier. If they are very crisp I add a wet tea towel.

Line dry and then 5 minutes to soften in the tumble drier.

My DD always moans that when I wash her towels (ungrateful wretch) they go stiff as described lovetopaint.
So, I googled the reason and apparently it's because I'm using too much detergent.
Maybe worth a go? It works out a bit cheaper too.

MT62

I like rough towels 😂 I don’t like those velvet type towels that slide off the body whilst trying to get dried.

Just this!

Nannee49 - my darling mum’s favourite put-down ‘ungrateful wretch’ - love it and miss her so much 😍

Grammaretto

I would dry them on the line but finish them for a few minutes in the tumble drier.
I don't mind towels like sandpaper.

I start them off in the tumble dryer then finish on the line. It seems to work.

They have to have a turn in the tumble drier to go properly soft and fluffy. Some people start them off in there, and others finish them in there.
I used to wash and tumble 50 towels a week, and worked them through the drier in 2 days. The daily ones in the pool basket I just line dried and folded because I figured no one would really care getting out of the water and sitting in the sun.

Ah, she sounds a wonderful lady crazyH

Thank you everyone. I will wash again without detergent and when almost dry I will pop the in the tumble dryer for a few minutes. The reason I can’t tolerate really rough towels is that I have a really sensitive skin which irritates like mad. I need soft smooth nightdresses, tea shirts etc. when anything gets rough I have to stop wearing it. Real nuisance. Towels are okay and agree they are useless if smooth. That is why we need to wash new ones. Ironing them is an idea although I hardly ever use an iron. Thank you again everyone. So good of you to take the trouble to reply.💐

I dried mine outside today so have cardboard towels. I don't mind the roughness, thank goodness, because I don't like to use my tumble dryer if I can help it. I hope some of the above remedies are a help for you.

I wouldn't use vinegar either...won't the towels smell? I don't think vinegar is good for washing machines due to its acidity.

I have cardboard towels too, no tumble drier though so no choice. Fabric conditioner never seems to make a difference so I don’t bother.

I used to use fabric softener now I use vinegar .
Tennis balls in the tumble dryer softens them as well .

I absolutely love a rough towel, me.

Even in the summer I tumble dry my towels.

At the risk of sounding contrary, I much prefer a thin, hard towel to a thick, soft, fluffy towel. When I've stayed in hotels with 'luxury' towels, I find them too big, heavy, and less absorbent. Maybe it's just me 🙃.