‘Correct washing techniques’ to clean and ‘enhance the softness’ of your towels

Over time even the most luxurious of towels can start to feel stiff and scratchy.  It may sound counterintuitive, but the combo of excess detergent and fabric softeners could be the reason towels feel more like an exfoliating tool rather than the luxe cuddly towel it once was when purchased. Don’t worry though, with a little bit of know-how, households can keep their towels clean and feeling plush and snuggly for years to come. Vivien Fodor, laundry category manager at Whirlpool  has shared the ‘correct washing techniques’ that can help ‘keep your towels feeling fresher for longer’. Ditch the fabric softener  Whilst softeners can help make most clothing soft, the super-absorbent cotton used in towels can have the opposite effect.  Softeners can leave coating on towels that reduces their absorbency and makes them less soft (Image: Getty) The expert warned: ‘Softeners can leave a coating on towels that reduces their absorbency and makes them less soft over time.’ Instead, the laundry pro suggests households consider ‘natural alternatives’ like white vinegar or baking soda .  Up to half a cup of white vinegar and water will suffice for a full load of towels, and ‘it will not leave any lingering odours’.  Averaging at around £1.50 per litre, white vinegar is at least ’50 percent more cost-effective’ than fabric softener, which averages £2.50 – that’s £5 per litre. It is equally safe and beneficial to choose lower temperatures of around 30 to 40 degrees (Image: Getty) When it comes to doing the washing, the ‘hidden truth that everyone should be aware of’ is the effectiveness of lower temperatures.  While many washing cycles are set at an average of 60 degrees, it is equally safe and beneficial to choose lower temperatures of around 30 to 40 degrees. Plus, washing machines equipped with steam hygiene functions, which introduce steam during the final stage of the wash, not only ‘eliminate bacteria’ but also ‘enhance the softness and fluffiness of towels’. Tumble dry with dryer balls Popping in dryer balls or clean tennis balls into the dryer along with towels will help ‘fluff up the fibres, prevent clumping, and reduce drying time’, claimed Vivien. Towels will help fluff up the fibres, prevent clumping, and reduce towel drying time (Image: Getty) Looking for a new home, or just fancy a look? Add your postcode below or visit InYourArea Towels will become softer when the pounding of the ball beats the fibres into the softest submission during the tumbling action. Dry towels properly  Towels need to be dried thoroughly, high temperature settings need to be avoided as this can ‘damage the fibres and make them feel rough’.  For those who are air drying their towels, pop them in the dryer to finish them off on a low to medium setting – doing this will ‘keep them soft and fluffy’. However, to achieve a ‘softer feel and keep your towels feeling brand new’, it is vital to remove them from the dryer as soon as they are dry or slightly damp as over-drying can result in ‘stiff and crisp’ towels.