How To Make Towels Soft Again
Say goodbye to stiff towels with these tips for how to make towels soft again.
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A Southern host knows the importance of a well-stocked linen closet. Extra sheets and a big stack of soft and fluffy towels are all must-haves, but when it comes to the latter, regular maintenance is a must to ensure you put your best terry forward. Over time, towels can become stiff and rough due to a variety of factors. This can result in towels with reduced absorbency and a bathing experience that is anything but luxurious. To keep your towels plush, cozy, and every bit as absorbent as they were with their first use, follow these expert-approved tips for making your towels soft again.
Meet the Experts
Liz Eichholz is the co-founder and creative director of Atlanta-based towel brand Weezie.
Morgan LaLonde is a laundry brand manager for Whirlpool.
Why Do Towels Get Stiff?
Stiff towels aren’t just rough on the skin, but also will see reduced absorbency. If your towels don’t feel as soft as they once were, a variety of culprits could be to blame. “Cotton towels perform their best when the fibers can breathe,” says Liz Eichholz, co-founder and creative director of Atlanta-based towel brand Weezie. “When there is buildup, heat damage, or age, the towels will be less absorbent and not as soft versus when they were initially purchased.”
Among the causes of stiff towels, Morgan LaLonde, Whirlpool laundry brand manager, says laundry soap residue can be a prime suspect. “If the water during the wash cycle isn’t hot enough, the detergent is more likely to build up on towels and leave them feeling stiff,” she explains. “Always check the care label on your towels to ensure the correct temperature for the washer cycle and cycle recommendation.”
Using too much detergent can also have a similar result, leaving behind a residue that causes stiff fibers and reduced absorbency. If you allow soapy residue to layer onto your linens over time it can become increasingly difficult to remove, which is why it’s important to use the right amount of detergent with each load, says LaLonde.
Stiff towels don’t just result from improper washing techniques, though. When it’s time to dry your towels, you’ll want to ensure you don’t overfill the dryer or use too high of heat. Both of these drying mistakes can singe the fibers, making your once fluffy towels stiff and uncomfortable. You’ll also want to be aware of whether you live in a place where hard water is an issue as this can cause mineral deposits on your towels that will result in even more fiber stiffness.
Of course, towels do not have an endless life. Towels can lose their loft and softness due to age as well. While high-quality towels should last at least a year or two with proper care, Eichholz says issues like a musty smell in addition to the stiff and lowered-absorbency factors can be signs it’s time to replace.
Related: Should You Wash Bedding In Hot Water?
Washing Techniques to Restore Softness
Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
If you find yourself with stiff towels, it’s not necessarily time to restock. Two pantry staples can help restore towels in just two wash cycles. “Vinegar and baking soda work like a charm when your towels are in need of some TLC,” says Eichholz. “Vinegar helps break down buildup and baking soda helps neutralize odor.” When used together, the two ingredients will cancel each other out, so this technique will require separate wash cycles. Repeat this process monthly or whenever your towels begin to feel stiff as it will help soften the fibers.
Add your towels to the washer, being sure you don’t overload it.
In place of detergent, use one cup of white vinegar.
If you’re washing colored towels, set the water temperature to warm. If you’re washing white towels, wash your towels on a hot cycle.
After the cycle is complete, add 1 cup of baking soda directly onto the towels.
Run the cycle again, warm for colored towels and hot for white towels.
Dry the load on low to medium heat.
Using White Vinegar
Simply opting for white vinegar is a great alternative for fabric softener as traditional fabric softener can sometimes leave a residue which will cut down on your towel’s absorbency. Vinegar will both soften your linens and provide odor-eliminating benefits. If you’re dealing with hard water deposits or any other residue, a wash with vinegar should help remedy your stiff-towel issues.
Add the towels to the drum, being sure to leave plenty of extra room for the towels to move freely during the cycle.
Add two cups of vinegar directly to the drum. Do not use fabric softeners or detergent.
Run the load on a warm-to-hot water cycle.
Once the cycle is complete, dry the load on low to medium heat.
Using Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural odor eliminator. Whether you’re dealing with musty-smelling towels or trying to eliminate any lingering vinegar smell after a vinegar wash cycle, use this technique for both ditching smells and restoring softness to your towels with every load.
Place a small- to medium-sized load of towels in your washing machine.
Sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda over the towels in the drum.
Add detergent as normal, but skip the fabric softener.
Run the load on either a warm or hot cycle.
Once the wash cycle is complete, dry the towels on low to medium heat.
Drying Techniques for Soft Towels
When it comes to maintaining your towels, care considerations shouldn’t stop when your wash cycle is complete. To keep towels in top shape, you’ll also need to use proper drying methods. First up, avoid musty smells by moving towels to the dryer as soon as the wash cycle is complete. LaLonde also recommends shaking out your towels before moving them to the dryer to release any creases and wrinkles. To avoid over-drying or causing damage to your towels due to high temperatures, she recommends drying on low to medium heat.
Drying between washes is important too. Weezie towels have a hanging loop sewn into the piping to help aid the drying experience, says Eichholz, but for towels that don’t have a loop, hanging to dry is still best. “If your towels aren’t fully drying between uses, it could be a sign they don’t have enough airflow around them,” she says. To avoid this scenario, make sure your towel is hung in a spot that gives it room to breathe between uses.
Additional Tips for Softening Towels
Avoiding Fabric Softeners
Chemical residue can be a primary cause of stiff towels and products like fabric softener can often be to blame. “Using fabric softener actually does more harm than good as it coats the terry with chemicals that reduce their absorption," says Eichholz. “If you continue to dry your products on low, and give them a little shake after the dryer, you’ll never feel the need to use fabric softener.” Dryer sheets can also be a culprit. To help achieve the same result, but without the residue, LaLonde recommends making the switch to dryer balls.
Related: 13 Surprising Ways To Use Dryer Sheets In Your Home
Regular Maintenance
Excessive detergent use can cause towel-stiffness issues, so always use the amount recommended by your detergent manufacturer. LaLonde also suggests loading your towels into the washer loosely, rather than allowing them to get too packed together. This allows the towels to move around and get thoroughly cleaned. It’s also best not to wash towels with other items as rougher fabrics, zippers, and other embellishments could cause the towels to snag or become damaged.
“Depending on the fiber quality and makeup, each towel is going to wash a bit differently, so it's best to follow rules put in place by the brand,” says Eichholz. “The goal is always soft, fluffy towels and robes that can dry you off—life is too short to settle for anything less!”
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I wash my towels to maintain their softness?
Towels should be washed every one to three uses to reduce bacteria and mildew. Remedies like vinegar and baking soda can be used once a month or whenever towels start to become stiff or smelly. For continued softness, add ½ cup of baking soda to every load and skip the fabric softeners.
Can I use fabric softeners to make my towels soft again?
Fabric softeners often do more harm than good when it comes to towels as their terry fabric is highly absorbent by nature and, therefore, more prone to soaking up residue that can be hard to rinse out. Limit your fabric softener use to every third or fourth wash, if you prefer to use it. To make towels soft again, opt for one of the home remedies prescribed above like baking soda, vinegar, or a combination of the two.
Are there any specific detergents that are better for maintaining towel softness?
Even more important than detergent selection is ensuring you're not using too much of it. Warm to hot water can also help break down any leftover residue, so wash towels in the highest recommended temperature for best results.
Can I use the same techniques for different types of towels?
You can use the same techniques for different types of towels, like hand towels and bath towels. Just be sure to wash towels according to color and never overfill the machine.
How long does it take for towels to become soft again after using the suggested methods?
Following the suggested methods should result in towels that feel softer after just one wash. If your towels aren’t bouncing back after using these remedies, it might be time to replace them.
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