How to keep your towels soft and fluffy after every wash
There’s nothing better than wrapping yourself in a soft, fluffy towel and nothing worse than when those towels suddenly turn rough, stiff, or scratchy after a few washes. The surprising truth is that towels don’t get crunchy because they’re old. They turn crunchy because of how they’re washed.
The good news? A few simple tweaks can keep your towels feeling hotel-soft for years. Here’s exactly how to wash, dry, and care for them so they stay plush and comfortable every time.
1. Don’t over wash your towels
Most people wash towels too often, which wears down the fibres. Towels need to be washed regularly, but not after every single use. The ideal frequency is every 3-5 uses, depending on humidity. This keeps them clean without stripping softness.
2. Use less detergent
This is the biggest softness secret. If your towels feel stiff, detergent residue is almost always the cause. Too much detergent doesn’t rinse out, and it clings to fibres which makes them crunchy. Try using half your usual amount. A cleaner rinse will give you softer towel.
3. Skip the fabric softener
Fabric softener sounds helpful, but it actually makes towels rough over time.
- It coats the fibres with a waxy film
- It blocks absorbency
- It traps detergent and minerals
- It causes long-term stiffness.
Use it rarely or never if possible. Your towels will stay naturally fluffy without it.
4. Use vinegar to remove buildup
White vinegar is one of the easiest ways to restore softness. Just add ½ to 1 cup to the rinse cycle. It dissolves leftover detergent, neutralises odours, and loosens fibres gently. For extra-crunchy towels, run a vinegar-only wash to reset them.
5. Add baking soda for a soft boost
Baking soda softens water, lifts dirt, and helps maintain fluffiness. Use ¼ - ½ cup in the wash cycle. But don’t mix it with vinegar in the same cycle because they cancel each other out. Alternate them wash-to-wash for best results.
6. Don’t overload the machine
Stuffing the drum full is a guaranteed way to get stiff towels. They need room to move so the detergent can rinse out properly. Fill your machine only two-thirds full and let the towels tumble freely.
7. Wash in warm water
Warm water is perfect for towels, while hot can damage fibres over time, and cold doesn’t remove oils effectively. Use warm for routine washes, hot only when towels are heavily soiled.
8. Shake towels before drying
A quick shake loosens the fibres and prevents hard creases from setting in the dryer or on the clothesline. It only takes a few seconds but makes a noticeable difference in softness.
9. Don’t over dry
Over drying “bakes” the cotton fibres, making them hard and brittle. If you’re using a tumble dryer, stop the drying cycle as soon as the towels are fully dry or even just shy of dry. Letting them finish drying on their own keeps them supple.
10. Choose the right type of towel
Some towels simply stay softer longer. The best options include:
- 100% cotton
- Turkish or Egyptian cotton
- ring-spun or combed cotton
- zero- or low-twist fibres
Synthetic blends often stiffen faster, even with perfect care.
11. Wash new towels properly
New towels often come with a coating that feels smooth but reduces absorbency. Wash them once before use with no fabric softener and a splash of vinegar in the rinse. This “primes” them for long-term softness.
12. Manage hard water
Hard water leaves mineral deposits on towels, making them feel rough no matter how well you wash them.
Signs of hard water:
- stiff laundry
- white residue on taps
- dull towels
If this sounds familiar, add vinegar regularly or use a water softener product.
13. Rotate your towels
Using the same towel set every day wears it down faster. Rotate between sets to give fibres a chance to rest and recover.
14. Store towels correctly
Don’t store towels while they’re even slightly damp as this encourages musty smells and rewashing, which leads to fibre wear. Let them dry fully, then fold and store in a dry cupboard with decent airflow.
Photos: Getty